STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Curtis Sliwa, a Republican candidate for New York City’s mayor, unveiled his support for new legislation aimed at enhancing street safety across the five boroughs by introducing speed bumps and cushions at speed camera locations, a measure he believes would significantly reduce speeding issues.
During a press conference held on Friday, Sliwa joined fellow Republicans, Councilmembers David Carr and Frank Morano, along with activist Scott LoBaido, to press for the proposed legislation.
Carr emphasized the importance of the bill, stating, “What this piece of legislation would do is create some real street safety for Staten Island, for Brooklyn, and for really all the five boroughs. We have had an inundation of speed cameras throughout our city, and in particular, here in Staten Island.”
The legislation mandates that the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) conduct a thorough study of all speed camera locations to assess the feasibility of installing speed reducers, such as speed humps, speed cushions, or raised crosswalks. Currently, the DOT prohibits the placement of these speed reducers near speed cameras, a regulation the bill seeks to change.
Sliwa argued that implementing such safety measures would ensure neighborhood safety while also alleviating the tax burden on Staten Island residents.
“This is the one way to guarantee safety in the 350 neighborhoods that make up the five boroughs of the city of New York, but not pick the pockets of the taxpayers,” he said. “I want to salute Staten Island, because you lead. As mayor, I’m going to get the other boroughs to follow, even those boroughs where there’s a war on people who drive four-wheel vehicles. I am going to explain that this really answers the dilemma of providing safety without financially overburdening residents who already pay high taxes.”
Carr pointed out that the need for speed reducers was specifically highlighted by his predecessor, former Councilmember Steve Matteo, who sought to install a speed cushion outside PS 26 on Victory Boulevard due to chronic speeding issues. Carr noted that, despite two speed cameras nearby, speeding continued to be a problem.
“When I had taken over to succeed him [Matteo], and we were told that the speed reducer, in this case, a speed cushion, could not go in front of the school, because it would be too close to a speed camera,” Carr explained. He stressed that the distances mandated by DOT rules needed to change to address safety concerns.
Morano, a co-sponsor of the legislation, argued that speed reducers are vital for slowing down vehicles at dangerous intersections. “This bill is the best of both worlds,” he stated. “This is a way to make clear that this is not a cash grab and that this city is serious about pedestrian safety. If the goal is truly safety, then slowing cars down should be the first priority. A camera that issues a ticket after the fact doesn’t stop a tragedy in real time, a speed hump will.”
Activist Scott LoBaido added a critical perspective on the effectiveness of speed cameras. He maintained that while drivers tend to slow down when approaching visible speed cameras, they often resume speeding immediately afterward.
“This is about safety because people do not slow down for these cameras. They slow down for a speed bump,” LoBaido remarked.
Carr affirmed that the proposed legislation could garner support from both critics and proponents of speed cameras. He expressed confidence that the initiative would encourage safer driving in areas in dire need of speed reduction, all while maintaining the presence of speed cameras.
“This is something that should unite critics of the speed camera program and lovers of it. We can all get behind this. I give credit to Curtis that he is willing to support a common-sense idea like this,” Carr concluded.
In response to inquiries about the proposed legislation, the Department of Transportation remarked on the importance of speed cameras and speed reducers in preventing traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries.
The DOT noted, “Speed cameras and speed reducers are both highly effective at preventing traffic deaths and serious injuries — and it is important that these two treatments are sited in different locations to maximize safety benefits.”
They also assured the public of their commitment to utilizing all tools available under the Vision Zero initiative to ensure safe travel for Staten Islanders.
image source from：silive
