NYC Council Votes In Favor Of Speed Cams

Speed Cameras will be active when New York City Public Schools start next week. The City Council voted today, 41-3, in favor of legislation to reactivate speed cameras in school zones.

The cameras were shut down in July after legislation to renew them failed in the state senate.

The city council took measures into their own hands, with the help of both Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio, who are rarely seen working together. The mayor issued a statement of necessity and the governor issued an executive order. The executive order called the lack of speed cameras an emergency, and a danger to the lives of children. It also directs the Department of Motor Vehicles to work with New York City and share license plate information, so that the city can assess fines. The law imposes a $50 fine on those caught speeding.

Before the vote, City Council speaker Corey Johnson said the bill will “keep New Yorkers safe, most importantly it will keep kids who are walking to and from school safe, it will save lives and it is the least we can do for children in New York City and their parents.” He also acknowledged the presence of the families of several children who have been killed by reckless drivers.

Council member Raphael Salamanca and several other parents who are city council members said they felt the importance of the bill with their own children returning to school.

Council member Kalman Yeger was one of the few who voted against the bill. In his no vote he said it “is not within the purview of the council… I don’t vote for measures that I do not believe are within out legal authority to do. This is such a measure and my reason for that is… 96 hours ago and for the last 15 years prior here to it was never thought that this body had the right to do this.”

Mayor de Blasio is expected to sign the bill on Tuesday.