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View from the Road - David Orr, PE
There is more to life than increasing its speed.
-Mahatma Gandhi
https://www.brainyquote.com/search_results?x=0&y=0&q=speed
Drive slow and enjoy the scenery - drive fast and join the scenery.
-Douglas Horton
https://www.brainyquote.com/search_results?q=slow+down&pg=2
As of August 12, 2022, the Vehicle and Traffic Law allows SOME municipalities to have an area speed limit of 25 miles an hour. Previously, the lowest limit was 30 mph. We have gotten a lot of questions regarding this law.
I definitely understand why your community would like to have lower vehicle speeds where there are a lot of bikes and pedestrians. The chance of a severe injury or death drops by over 50 percent if vehicle speeds drop from 32 to 23 mph! (~75% at 32 mph to 35% at 23 mph) But, will a lowered speed limit get drivers to actually slow down?
The law does NOT change who has the power to change speed limits. State road speed limits are still set by the state. For most town and county roads, the speeds are also set by the state. And while villages, cities, and larger towns (populations of 50,000 or more, or defined as “suburban towns” in Section 3A of the Town Law) can set lower speed limits, the law specifically requires a study be done by a licensed engineer familiar with traffic operations.
To improve safety overall, look beyond speed limits into complete streets, traffic calming, and other techniques such as road safety assessments and audits. Setting good speed limits can be very valuable for public safety, but think about alternatives and what would be effective in slowing traffic near residences and schools. Give drivers alternatives to avoid those areas. And maybe we all need to slow down.
What does the new legislation establishing 25 mph as the new lowest-allowable area speed limit actually change?
https://cals.cornell.edu/nysltap-local-roads/what-does-new-legislation-establishing-25-mph-new-lowest-allowable-area-speed-limit-actually-change
Who set speed limits on local highways?
https://cals.cornell.edu/nysltap-local-roads/who-set-speed-limits-local-highways
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