Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Eyes on the Street

Eyes on the Street: Reason Number 6,734,090,855 NYC Needs Speed Cams

Turn up the volume and listen for the sociopathic pacesetter about halfway through this clip. This is southbound Vanderbilt Avenue in Prospect Heights, recorded with my bike-mounted camera at the intersection with Dean Street at about 9:40 p.m. last night.

Vanderbilt has become much more walkable and bikeable since DOT implemented a road diet about five years ago, converting a motor vehicle lane into pedestrian medians and painted bike lanes. By and large, car traffic is calmer. But there are still some maniacs who don't get the engineering cues, and if they have enough space in front of them to open up the throttle, they'll treat this crowded city street like a racetrack.

This is behavior that kills, but police aren't ticketing the drivers who do it. That's why NYC needs automated enforcement.

A proposal that would allow the city to set up speed enforcement cameras for the first time is alive in Albany, and we'll have an update about it later this afternoon.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Albany Should Use ‘Underutilized’ Transit Fund For LIRR, Metro-North Discounts: Report

An "underutilized" pot of state transportation funds could help lure more New York City residents onto the LIRR and Metro-North, according to a new report.

December 19, 2024

See It: The McGuinness Road Diet Works — But Only Where the City Installed It

The road diet works, exposing the need to extend it all the way.

December 19, 2024

Thursday’s Headlines: Snow and Tell Edition

The Sanitation Department is even better prepared for winter. Plus other news.

December 19, 2024

NJ Refusing ‘Generous’ Congestion Pricing Lawsuit $ettlement, Hochul Says

If you believe Gov. Hochul, her New Jersey counterpart is leaving lots of money on the table, which one activist said was just "stubbornness" on his part.

December 19, 2024

Cyclist Badly Injured By Driver Fleeing Cops

Authorities refused to comment on allegations that the crash was the result of another police chase.

December 18, 2024
See all posts