Eric Adams Talks Speeding and Street Safety on a Neighborhood Walkabout

In September, State Senator Eric Adams introduced a bill that would add a component about interacting with pedestrians and cyclists to the licensing course for first-time New York State drivers. He said he’s pushing for better driver education to “make the roads safer for those who use the roads other than vehicles.”

Adams’ interest in increasing driver awareness dovetails nicely with the street safety initiatives that came out of NYC DOT’s landmark pedestrian safety report, released this summer. The action plan that accompanied the report recommends establishing a 20 mph speed limit in one New York City neighborhood — a pilot program that could be expanded elsewhere if successful. Slow-speed zones have been sweeping the UK and in London have prevented dozens of serious injuries and deaths each year.

Yesterday, Adams took a walking tour of Park Slope with Rod King, director of the UK’s 20’s Plenty for Us campaign, Noah Budnick of Transportation Alternatives, and local civic groups. Clarence Eckerson brings us these highlights from the walk.