May 13: Albany: Lift the limits on NYC’s automated traffic cameras
Dear Friend,
59 percent of traffic fatalities occur at times when Albany does not permit NYC’s speed safety cameras to operate. We have a proven tool that saves lives, but state law turns it off during nights and weekends — a full 52 percent of hours each week.
Speed safety cameras have led to a 72 percent decline in speeding and a 55 percent drop in traffic fatalities at camera sites during operating hours, we detail in our new report, Speeding Doesn't Sleep.
Drug-free school zones operate 24/7. Gun-free school zones operate 24/7. Why should traffic safety be an exception? To protect people from speeding drivers, lawmakers in Albany must allow New York City to operate speed safety cameras 24/7.
TELL YOUR LAWMAKER TO LIFT THE LIMITS
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
1️⃣ Join us in the fight for safe streets for all New Yorkers. Our team is growing, and we want you to be a part of it. We’re hiring for multiple roles within our development, marketing, and advocacy teams, including an Events Associate, Email Production Associate, Legislative Manager, and Bike Valet staff.
2️⃣ We’re recruiting runners for our NYRR TCS Marathon team. We're looking for runners to fundraise and we need YOUR help to fill up our team with awesome safe streets advocates. Interested? Email events@transalt.org for more information.
3️⃣ In the news. Here’s what we’re reading this week:
Momentum to lift the ridiculous restrictions on New York City’s speed safety cameras is growing. Read more in PIX 11, amNY, Streetsblog, Gothamist, or a new piece from the New York Daily News Editorial Board, or a new op-ed from DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Assemblymber Jessica González-Rojas in the Queens Chronicle.
The Equitable Commute Project is expanding access to sustainable, efficient, and affordable transportation options. Read a new piece by John Surico in CityLab on the transformational effects of e-bikes.
Read Streetsblog’s coverage of our campaign to improve Grand Army Plaza with better infrastructure for bike riders and pedestrians.
TWO THINGS TO DO
1️⃣ RSVP for CYCLEBRATION! Our free celebration of cycling is next Friday, May 20, at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Join at this outdoor event for food, drinks, games, and fun. Learn more and let us know you’re going.
2️⃣ Participate in a ride this weekend. Looking for something to do tomorrow? Join us in the Bronx at 1 p.m. for a 5-mile bike ride through Soundview, visiting GreenThumb community gardens and enjoy gorgeous waterfront views.
ONE ACTION TO TAKE NOW
Tell your lawmaker to lift the limits on speed safety cameras. Speeding doesn’t sleep, and neither should our speed safety cameras. New Yorkers deserve to be protected from speeding drivers 24/7. Sign our petition and tell your New York State legislators to remove the restrictions on speed safety cameras today before the program expires on July 1!
Thanks for reading! Have a great weekend,
Jacob and the TA team
