FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 4, 2019
CONTACT: Peter Giunta, (347) 621-8031
Assemblymember Michael Reilly (R-South Shore) announced today that he is in the process of introducing legislation to ensure that motorists receive fair warning that they’re in a school speed zone and that a speed camera unit is ahead.
Reilly’s legislation, which is still pending a bill number, would require the New York City Department of Transportation to install signage at least 50 feet before a speed camera unit altering motorists that they’re in a school speed zone, of the speed limit, and that photo enforcement is being used. The signage would be highly visible to motorists, with the school zone and photo enforcement signage being yellow. The law would also apply to the city of Buffalo, where a 150-unit speed camera program was launched this year.
“I have maintained my belief that the city’s speed camera program is perceived by the public to be just another revenue source for the city, not about protecting lives. So long as Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York City Department of Transportation advocate for an egregious and possibly illegal expansion of the camera program, which involves the installation of as many as 2,000 new speed camera units throughout the city, that will continue to be the public’s perception,” said Reilly.
He continued, “Regardless of whether you’re for or against the speed camera program, we have to ensure that the enforcement is fair and that the integrity of this law, treated the same as all others, is protected. Adding highly visible signage is a no-brainer toward changing a motorist’s behavior and reducing speeding.”