Speed cameras save lives, add more

Winter is here, and with it comes earlier sunsets, longer evenings and the statistical increase in traffic accidents on our streets. Unfortunately, this time of year is the deadliest for pedestrians.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a significantly higher number of pedestrian fatalities occur in the dark (77%) than in daylight (20%). Earlier sunsets coinciding with rush hour, when more cars tend to be on the road, lowers visibility for drivers which increases the threat to pedestrians — especially children.

New York City knows that evening and overnight hours have proven to be more dangerous. Mayor Adams announced in November the seventh year of the “Dusk and Darkness” public safety campaign to combat this very issue, and statistics show that it has improved safety on streets across the five boroughs. During this period, the average number of pedestrian fatalities declined 21.7% on city roads, defying national trends.

The more than 300 businesses that make up Sunnyside Shines rely on foot traffic to drive customer spending, making safer streets key to small business growth and economic development — not just here in Queens but for business improvement districts across the five boroughs.

Despite the many successful policies and measures that have been put in place here, fatal crashes remain a problem in New York City. Our city’s ongoing investment in safer streets is good for all road users, including cyclists, pedestrians and even drivers.

Of course, traffic violence is not a crisis unique to New York — it continues to be a national emergency. In recent years, traffic fatalities have reached unprecedented levels. In 2021, 42,939 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation — the highest number of fatalities in 16 years.

The good news is traffic violence can be preventable and, fortunately, New York City already has the tools in place. But they need to be strengthened and expanded in order to ensure there are no more traffic-related injuries and fatalities on our streets.

This is most obvious when it comes to speed cameras.

Around the same time New York City implemented Vision Zero in 2013, the city started deploying speed cameras operated by Verra Mobility. This program works, and the data proves it. Compared to 2013 figures, traffic deaths in New York City have dropped 14.7% and pedestrian deaths have decreased by 35.9%.

These cameras have had an obvious impact on street safety and driver behavior. In Council District 26, which includes Sunnyside, Long Island City, Astoria and other western Queens communities, overall speed camera violations were down 28% from the final week of July 2023 to the second week of October 2023. Drivers are cognizant of the cameras and they are slowing down.

The evidence is clear. Automated speed cameras have been critical to the success of Vision Zero.

While this is promising and demonstrates that the speed camera program is effective at curbing dangerous driving and preventing crashes, there is more that we can do to ensure all New Yorkers are safe on our streets.

This begins with identifying the main causes of deadly car crashes.

In about 80% of crashes, speeding is a major factor. In August 2022, New York City took note of this and began operating its schoolzone speed cameras 24/7.

This switch has already been deemed a success. In camera zones citywide, speed violations dropped 30% and there were 25% fewer deaths in the past 12 months than in the year prior.

Speed cameras have also been proven to change dangerous driving behavior — another cause linked to fatal crashes. In 2020, more than half of vehicles that received one violation did not receive a second.

The speed camera enforcement program is undoubtedly working. Yet, with crashes still on the rise and an increased threat during the winter months, we know what must be done to reduce traffic-related fatalities and injuries to zero.

Speed cameras aren’t the only fix for improving street safety but we know they are successful, especially when coupled with other traffic calming measures. Making sure our streets are well-lit and our roads are designed to restrict speeding can also help ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists.

The importance of street safety cannot be overstated, especially when human lives are at stake.

If New York City is going to reverse the deadly trend that comes with longer evenings and continue to be a leader in reducing traffic violence, Albany should allow the city to expand the use of automated speed enforcement cameras.

The safety of New Yorkers quite literally depends on it.