New York Speed Limit program shows signs of success. In recent years, New York City has seen a steady increase in fatalities and serious injuries resulting from traffic collisions. Many of these accidents have occurred because of motorists traveling at unsafe and excessive speeds. As a result, NYC officials have implemented numerous traffic safety programs in an effort to reduce motor vehicle-related crashes. One of which, the New York speed limit program, may be showing signs of success.
According to recent statistics, in 2022, 253 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes, after 273 in 2021, a 20% increase over 2019 levels. In many cases, these collisions involved cyclists and pedestrians.
In response to these and other disturbing traffic-related trends, NYC city officials instituted efforts to help reduce the number of accidents and fatalities on its streets. One New York Speed Limit program used active, intelligent speed assistance (ISA) technology on 50 city fleet vehicles to test compliance with local speed laws. Recently, Mayor Adams announced that preliminary results from the ISA program show almost universal compliance with local speed laws.
NYC Intelligent Speed Assistance Pilot Program
Last August, NYC officials launched The Intelligent Speed Assistance pilot program involving the use of ISA technology on city fleet vehicles. The New York Speed Limit program was the first of its kind in the United States.
ISA technology can restrict vehicular speed, preventing a motor vehicle from traveling over a specific speed limit. The program tested the effectiveness of the technology on the NYC fleet to “regulate and standardize safe driving among city employees.” The program is part of a group of safety implemented as part of the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Safe Fleet Transition Plan for city fleet vehicles.
According to a recent release, since the New York Speed Limit program shows signs of success program test, vehicles have traveled over 133,400 miles and successfully traveled within speed limit parameters 99 percent of the time. In addition, the use of the ISA technology accounted for a 36% reduction in hard braking events—a factor believed to be connected to unsafe driving.
The ISA New York Speed Limit program is scheduled to continue through early 2024. Once the program period concludes, DCAS will issue a report with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center to share the results. In addition, DCAS has requested funding to extend the New York Speed Limit program to approximately 7,500 vehicles over the next three to four years.
NYC Speed Camera Initiative
NYC speeding has also improved since its speed camera operation period was extended in 2022. In June 2022, thousands of the city’s speed cameras went from being on during set times and days (6 am to 10 pm on weekdays) to being operational full-time.
NYC Traffic Accidents and Fatalities
While NYC officials continue to work towards creating safer streets, motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists remain at risk of being involved in a collision. When someone is hurt in a car accident or other motor vehicle collision, they can suffer extensive injuries that can result in medical bills, lost wages and time at work, pain and suffering, and other serious damages. If you or a loved one have been harmed by an NYC traffic accident, you should contact an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your case.
Contact a Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one have been involved in a New York auto accident, you should schedule a free consultation with an experienced motor vehicle accident lawyer at Bonina & Bonina, P.C. Call us at 1-888-MEDLAW1 or contact us online for a free consultation. We have decades of experience helping clients harmed by motor vehicle negligence, and we can explain your options and help you decide what actions you should take. At Bonina & Bonina, P.C., we come to work every day believing that there should be equal justice for all—Se Habla espaňol. Home and hospital visits are available.