Relates to photo speed violation monitoring systems in school speed zones in the city of New York; reduces the radial distance from school buildings for such school speed zones; reduces the time frame for use of such photo speed monitoring systems; extends the effectiveness of certain provisions relating thereto.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9055
SPONSOR: Fall TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to photo speed
violation monitoring systems in school speed zones in the city of New
York; and to amend chapter 189 of the laws of 2013, amending the vehicle
and traffic law and the public officers law relating to establishing in
a city with a population of one million or more a demonstration program
implementing speed violation monitoring systems in school speed zones by
means of photo devices, in relation to the effectiveness thereof
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The intent of this legislation is to further promote the effectiveness
of the school speed zone program to keep our streets located immediately
within an institution of learning radius and to amend current guidelines
in existing law to promote a more just area and timing of said speed
cameras.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Paragraph 1 of subdivision (a) and paragraph 4 of subdivision
(c) of section 1180-b of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by
chapter 30 of the laws of 2019. The City of New York is herby authorized
to establish a demonstration program imposing monetary liability on the
owner of a vehicle for failure of an operator thereof to comply with
posted maximum speed limits in a school speed zone within such city when
a school speed limit is in effect as provided in paragraphs one and two
of subdivisions (c) of section eleven hundred eighty of this article or
(ii) when other speed limits are in effect as provided in subdivision
(b), (d), (f) or (g) of section eleven hundred eighty of this article
weekdays between the hours of six o'clock A.M. and six o'clock P.M.
Such demonstration program shall empower the city of New York to install
photo speed violation monitoring systems within no more than seven
hundred fifty school speed zones within such city at any one time and to
operate such systems within such zones within such city at any one time
and to operate such systems within such zones when a school speed limit
is in effect as provided in paragraphs one and two of subdivision (c) of
section eleven hundred eighty of this article or when other speed limits
are in effect as provided in subdivision (b), (d), (f) or (g) of section
eleven hundred eighty of this article weekdays between the hours of six
o'clock A.M. and six o'clock P.M.
In selecting a school speed zone in which to install and operate a photo
speed violation monitoring system, the city of New York shall consider
criteria including, but not limited to, the speed data, crash history,
and the roadway geometry applicable to such school speed zone. Such city
shall prioritize the placement of photo speed violation monitoring
systems in school speed zones based upon speed data or the crash history
of a school speed zone. A photo speed violation monitoring system shall
not be installed or operated on a controlled-access highway exit ramp or
within three hundred feet along a highway that continues from the end of
a controlled-access highway exit ramp.
"School speed zone" shall mean a radial distance not to exceed one
(thousand three) hundred twenty feet from a school building, entrance,
or exit.
Section 2. The opening paragraph of section 15 of chapter 189 of the
laws of 2013, amending the vehicle and traffic law and the public offi-
cers law relating to establishing in a city with a population of one
million or more a demonstration program implementing speed violation
monitoring systems in school speed zones by means of photo devices, as
amended by chapter 30 Of the laws of 2019
This act shall expire and be deemed repealed July 1, (2022) 2024 and
provided further that any rules necessary for the implementation of this
act on its effective date shall be promulgated on or before such effec-
tive date.
Section 3: This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it
shall have become law, provided that the amendments to section 1180-b of
the vehicle and traffic law made by section one of this act shall not
affect the repeal of such section and shall be deemed repealed there-
with.
JUSTIFICATION:
Speed cameras in school zones are one of the goals aimed at reducing
traffic fatalities in New York City. Therefore, the program should be
kept intact for the safety of our children, pedestrians and crossing
guards. However, current guidelines in existing law associated with
activation times and radius surrounding institutions of learning are
causing an unfair burden on drivers in many areas throughout New York
City and New York State. The intent of this legislation is to further
promote the effectiveness of the school speed zone program however on
streets/roadways located immediately within an institution of learning
radius and to amend current guidelines in existing law to promote a more
justified area and timing of said speed cameras.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Yet to be determined
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have
become law; provided that the amendments to section 1180-b of the vehi-
cle and traffic law made by section one of this act shall not affect the
repeal of such section and shall be deemed repealed therewith.
