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

‘It’s About Execution’: Mamdani Deputy Mayor Slams Adams for ‘Interference’ With Bus Projects

The Mamdani administration revived a Madison Avenue bus lane project that officials said was stalled by the previous mayor's team.

January 12, 2026

Parking-Obsesssed West Side Community Board Snubs Ask For Loading Zone

Parking continues to reign supreme on the Upper West Side.

January 12, 2026

Unlicensed Drivers Comprise One-Quarter Of Street Fatalities: Data

Unlicensed drivers are now responsible for one-quarter of road fatalities — and are linked to fatal crashes much more often now than pre-pandemic, a new Streetsblog analysis shows.

January 12, 2026

Monday’s Headlines: Red Means Stop Edition

We're getting more red light cameras! Plus other news.

January 12, 2026

Friday’s Headlines: From Hero to Zero Edition

Mayor Mamdani's sympathy for cyclists over the Williamsburg Bridge has yet to trickle down to his NYPD. Plus more news.

January 9, 2026
See all posts