In an effort to curb the number of speeders in New York, new LED signs have been deployed in key areas in New York to show drivers that they are going too fast. Upon first inspection, the speed boards normally display the sign for the speed limit, featuring a figure.

When the sign detects a speeding car however, the figure in the sign changes into a skeleton and the words, "Slow Down."

This is in-line with what the campaign that the DOT introduced earlier, which is “That’s Why It’s 30.” The campaign is focused on spreading awareness that a person struck at 30 mph will have an 80% chance of survival compared to a person struck at 40 mph, which will have only a 30% chance of survival.



This is only one of the steps being taken by New York to curb the number of speeders on the road, along with this is the introduction of “Slow zones,” which imposes a 20 mph speed limit on certain parts of New York.

This is also part of a bigger (global, really) effort to raise traffic safety awareness. A year ago, the U.N. General Assembly declared 2011 – 2020 the Decade of Action for Road Safety. With the opening of the first “slow zone” last week, Mayor Bloomberg was joined by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan to inform people of their intention of keeping motorists and pedestrians safe for the next decade.

For more information on driver safety and defensive driving tips please visit NewYorkDefensiveDrivingNow.com.

Labels: driver safety, pedestrian safety, pedestrian traffic, speed limit, traffic safety

New York State just passed a new bill that classifies a new crime: aggravated reckless driving. Aggravated reckless driving is operating a vehicle that creates a great risk for others. This includes knowingly driving under the influence, or driving a dangerous amount of miles over the posted speed limit.

The new bill, (S.3452) sponsored by Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. and co-sponsored by Senator Jack M. Martins enhances the penalties for reckless driving. This is in response to a growing number of arrests that involve this type of careless, dangerous driving behavior. A driver engaging in driving behavior that creates a risk for others, knowingly or under the influence driving going against the flow of traffic, driving 30 or more miles over the speed limit while under the influence of alcohol or drugs while engaging in street racing activities and driving 30 or more miles over the posted speed limit while weaving in and out of traffic.

Aggravated reckless driving is currently rated a class E felony.

Labels: aggravated reckless driving, driving under the influence, new york defensive driving, new york dui laws, reckless driving, speed limit