Village Speed Limits Popular Topic In Bronxville: Mayor

Written by Mayor Mary Marvin:

BRONXVILLE, NY — The use of local streets is one of the most fundamental concerns of local government officials. Contrary to logic at times and the concept of “local control,” legally, the power to regulate traffic and parking is vested in the State of New York.

As its name suggests, the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law sets forth the provisions relating to traffic and parking regulations and applies uniformly throughout the State.

Municipalities may enact traffic and parking regulations only if specifically authorized to do so by State statute. Moreover, municipalities cannot enact seat belt laws or prohibitions on talking on cell phones while driving because these activities are already prohibited by State.

Local governments may, by local law, establish maximum, not minimum speed limits on roads that do not belong to the State.

However, it was only during the last New York State legislative session, thanks to a bill introduced by our Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, that allows change to allowing local authorities to lower the maximum speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph community wide.

After three open public hearings where residents had an opportunity to speak, as well as a written comment period, the sentiment was overwhelmingly in favor of adopting such legislation in Bronxville. The Trustees unanimously concurred, and legislation was enacted, due to take effect on Sept. 1.

We chose to postpone the date of enforcement in order to purchase signs, prepare an education plan involving our schools, merchants and institutions, drivers and pedestrians and prepare an enforcement plan.

Prior to adoption, New York State required a speed limit study undertaken by a qualified traffic engineer to determine a reasonable speed limit that balances safety, efficiency, environmental quality and functional mobility.

As part of the study, four locations were monitored at length in four vastly different quadrants of the Village for an extended period of time.

Given geometry, streetscape, adjacent land uses, driveway characteristics, common two- way directional travel and parking on one or both sides of the street, the engineer determined lowering the speed limit was advisable. Most of our neighbors have adopted same.

School zones will remain 20 mph and the State just recently denied our request to lower state controlled Route 22 to 25 mph.

New York City was granted special legislation to lower to 25 mph city wide in 2014 and pedestrian fatality rates have dropped 25 percent, mirroring numbers in Boston and Seattle.

Per studies by the AAA Foundation, pedestrians struck by a car going 41 mph have a 75 percent chance of serious injury or death. If the speed is lowered to 31mph, the risk goes to 50 percent and if further lowered to 25 mph, the risk drops to 25 percent.

Their study also determined that a lower speed limit results in all drivers, even the chronic speeders, to slowing down, thus lowering the mean speed of traffic.

Other beneficial side effects of lowering a speed limit include environmental pluses such as a decrease in fossil fuel consumption, carbon output and noise impacts.

We look forward to working with you as we make our Village an even more walkable, pedestrian friendly home.