New York City cuts speed limit to 25 mph to curb pedestrian deaths

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

New York City cuts speed limit to 25 mph to curb pedestrian deaths

NEW YORK Fri Nov 7, 2014 2:59pm EST

(Reuters) - The default speed limit on the streets of New York City dropped to 25 mph from 30 mph on Friday, the centerpiece of Mayor Bill de Blasio's plan to reduce pedestrian deaths in the country's largest city and one of its most crowded.

The de Blasio administration, which took office in January, has argued that the speed reduction, while small, can have important safety consequences. Pedestrians are half as likely to die when hit by a car traveling at the lower speed, according to the city.

Even so, New Yorkers may need a little time to grow accustomed the change. The 30 mph speed limit had been in effect in the city for about a half century, since a statewide law was enacted in 1964, according to Wiley Norvell, a spokesman for the city.

So far in 2014, 110 pedestrians were killed in traffic mishaps, down slightly from 134 deaths in the same period last year, Norvell said.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/07/us-usa-newyork-speed-idUSKBN0IR25Z20141107

[In_The_Wind]

1. I hope the slower speed limit saves lives.

[shenmue]

2. I hope it helps

The corner in front of my high school was notorious for that problem.

[bigwillq]

3. Got a message about that on the Waze App

Speed limits are all about enforcement, like most traffic laws. I hope the new law works.

[BKH70041]

4. So now the taxis will only run over you doing 45 instead of 50.

And who says things aren't improving?

[tritsofme]

5. Let me correct that headline: New York City cuts speed limit to 25 mph to fill revenue hole

These things are always always about revenue.

[RedCappedBandit]

6. Some people do drive way too fast here

and you know, it isn't even the taxis.

Doubt a new speed limit will help, but hope it does.

[katmondoo]

7. It is the bicyclists that I remember as scary

for them and for cars who have to avoid them. I saw so many near hits when I worked in NYC