The Time Is Now to Speak Up for Speed Cameras in NYC [Updated]

If you were waiting for the right moment to hit the phones in support of speed cameras, now would be good.

As of this morning, the Assembly bill that would authorize a pilot program for a limited number of speed enforcement cameras near NYC schools was in the Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Upper Manhattan rep Denny Farrell. We have word that the Senate bill is being held up by Long Island Senator Charles Fuschillo.

Fuschillo, who chairs the Transportation Committee, has a pretty solid record on traffic safety. He has backed red light cameras and tougher penalties for distracted driving, and was instrumental in the passage of New York’s complete streets law. Our source says Fuschillo doesn’t want speed cameras on Long Island, but since the bill only applies to New York City, that would make his opposition to it especially perplexing. We put in a call to Fuschillo’s press officer a few hours ago and will post an update if we hear back.

Today is the last day of the legislative session, and NYC is closer than it’s ever been to adding speed cameras to its traffic enforcement toolkit. If you haven’t yet reached out to your Senate and Assembly representatives, now is the time.

Remind them that speeding is the number one cause of traffic deaths in NYC, speeding near schools is rampant, and motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury-related death for children. Speed cameras are proven to reduce traffic deaths and injuries, and the proposed NYC pilot program is backed by every relevant sector of city government, including the mayor’s office, NYPD, the City Council, NYC DOT, and the Department of Health.

If you don’t know whom to call, you can look up your reps by entering your address on the Senate and Assembly web sites.

Update: We heard back from Fuschillo’s spokesperson, who said: “The bill is still under consideration by the committee.” He would not say whether or not Fuschillo opposes speed cameras for New York City.