In an effort to make its streets safer for drivers and pedestrians, New York City has begun enforcing a 25 miles per hour speed limit on most streets. The move is all part of Mayor Bill de Blasio's Vision Zero plan to reduce the number of traffic-related deaths in the city.
The default 25 mph speed limit is five miles slower than the 30 mph previously in effect for the past half of a century since 1964. The default speed limit went into effect on Nov. 7 on all city streets unless otherwise explicitly stated that vehicles can go faster.
On Nov. 6, city transportation workers began putting up signs on major gateways, such as George Washington Bridge and Holland Tunnel, to inform drivers of the new default speed limit. The city hopes to post 3,000 signs by next year to ensure that drivers become fully aware of the new law.
"There's a real consensus in this town that we need to have people drive more carefully, more safely and slower for the protection of our kids, our seniors," says de Blasio.
City transportation authorities say their efforts to improve driving safety in New York City are showing the first signs of success. According to the New York City Police Department, 110 people were killed in traffic-related incidents in September, down from the 134 casualties recorded during the same period last year.
Police also say they have issued more than 94,000 speeding tickets as of October, 25,000 more than the 69,000 tickets issued for the same violation in October last year.
The city government's research shows that slowing down the speed limit reduces the number of deaths caused by traffic accidents due to the limited impact of a vehicle moving at a slower speed.
Critics, however, say that simply reducing the speed limit is not enough to ensure 100 percent safety on the city streets. The New York Times has already reported several instances of vehicles, ranging from tow trucks to police cars and Mercedes Benzes to city buses, driving several mph above the speed limit.
"You need to have substantial teeth in terms of enforcement if this is to work at all," says Chandra Bhat, director of the Center for Transportation Research at the University of Texas.
Bhat adds that a reduced speed limit could actually worsen traffic situations as it gives drivers and their passengers, who are always in a hurry, a feeling of being boxed in, resulting in even more aggressive driving.
A few drivers have already expressed their sentiments about the new speed limit, with opinions equally divided between those in favor of the new law and those against. Ernst Rodriquez, a cab driver, says "it's not good for business" because his customers would most likely urge him to hurry, though, he says: "I am not going to speed for nobody."
Another driver, Alberto Rodriguez, thinks the new speed limit is just another way for the city to earn.
"I think it's just a catch 22 to make some more money for the city," he says.
Others, still, think authorities should also focus their sights on New York City's pedestrians, infamous for jaywalking or staring at their smartphones as they cross the streets.
"Give tickets out," diner manager Steve Kaloudi says, referring to pedestrians. "That's the only way to get them slowed down."
Another driver, Shiba Scott, thinks enforcing the new speed limit would be helpful in a city where jaywalking laws are not strictly enforced.
The new speed limit is part of a long-term plan to gradually reduce traffic accidents on New York City's streets. Department of Transportation commissioner Polly Trotenberg says putting up signs in key corridors will play a role in educating New Yorkers about the new speed limit.
"We're not trying to engage in a game of gotcha here, so we really make sure we do a public education campaign," she says.
Drivers who are caught driving above 25 mph will be fined $150 if a cop pulls them over and $50 if they are caught on camera.
