NYC Lowers Speed Limit on Flatbush Ave.

Speed cameras now active in all 750 school zones citywide – the largest network in the world

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today that speed limits will be reduced by 5 MPH on 25 miles of major streets with some the highest rates of crashes across the five boroughs.

The City also announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has reached its goal of activating cameras in all 750 school zones – the largest speed camera network in the world.

These efforts, combined with stepped-up NYPD speeding enforcement, are part of a coordinated effort, as reduced vehicular traffic has led to dangerous driving during the COVID-19 crisis.

“New York City’s children deserve safe, livable communities – and Vision Zero’s groundbreaking work will protect them in their streets,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Slower speed limits, speed cameras, and increased enforcement will save lives and keep New York City the safest big city in America for the next generation.”

“Through years of progress, Vision Zero has made New York City’s streets safer across all five boroughs, yet there is still work to be done,” said Deputy Mayor Laura Anglin. “We know speeding is one the leading causes of traffic fatalities and by lowering speed limits – combined with our vast network of speed-cameras – we are focusing on those who put New Yorkers in danger.”

“Speeding is a leading cause of traffic fatalities. Even under COVID-19, this administration has maintained our commitment to keep our streets safe for the all users, especially the most vulnerable,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.

“We are reducing speed limits on some of the city’s most crash-prone corridors, and growing our speed camera program at a rate that will make our system the largest in the world. With more cameras installed in 2020 than in the first six years of the program combined, DOT is continuously working to make our streets safer for everyone,” Trottenberg said.

“I applaud the DOT on this much needed change to the speed limits on some of our most trafficked thoroughfares. We have seen too many people die at the hands of reckless drivers and bicyclists to wait any longer to implement this necessary change. Even a small change of 5 MPH will have untold benefits in the number of lives saved in accidents avoided. I for one know that I will sleep more soundly knowing that everyone on our streets will be navigating roads safer for us all,” said Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.

Street locations and mileage are as follows:

Brooklyn:
Flatbush Ave from Grand Army Plaza to Empire Boulevard*, .8 mile (30 MPH to 25 MPH)
Shore Parkway Service Road from Bay 8th Street to Plumb 3rd Street, 4.8 miles (30 MPH to 25 MPH)
Dahlgren Place from 86th Street to 92nd Street, .3 miles (30 MPH to 25 MPH)

*Earlier this summer, DOT installed new protected bicycle lanes along this roadway.

Manhattan:
Riverside Drive from 165th Street to 181st Street, .8 mile (30 MPH to 25 MPH)

Bronx:
Bruckner Blvd from East 135th Street to Pelham Bay Park, 6.5 miles (30 MPH to 25 MPH)
Webster Ave from East 233 Street to East Gun Hill Road, 1.2 miles (30 MPH to 25 MPH)

Queens:
Rockaway Blvd from 150th Ave to 3rd Street (Nassau County border), 2.5 miles (40 MPH to 35 MPH)
Northern Blvd from 114th Street to Glenwood Street (Nassau County border), 7 miles (30 MPH to 25 MPH)

Staten Island:
Targee Street from West Fingerboard Rd to Broad St, 1.8 miles (30 MPH to 25 MPH)

All of the speed limits will go into effect as DOT posts new speed-limit signage over the next 4-6 weeks. Speed cameras located along any of these streets will be reprogrammed and will only issue warnings for the first 60 days after new signage is posted.