New York (NYC) has finally cracked down on speeding! A new, (and much more aggressive) plan is almost ready: drivers who speed on bridges, tunnels, or construction zones face fines of up to 100 dollars.
And, guess what? Yes, many people have already started receiving them (and they’re not few…). The city confirms that road safety has become one of its main priorities, just when the number of fatal accidents continues to show worrying figures…
Signed by Governor Kathy Hochul. Do you want to know more about this new legislation
At war against speeding
According to the National Safety Council, 30% of fatal accidents are related to this behaviour, with an average of 32 deaths per day, reaching 100,508 accidents only in 2022…
The numbers don’t lie, and they are definitely not exaggerated. In 2024, 253 speed-related incidents were recorded just in New York City. Alarms have gone off, of course, and something had to be done.
More speed, more danger
If you know anything about life, you’ll know that the faster you go, the less reaction time you have, and the less braking distance too. And this is not only a problem for drivers, but for pedestrians, whose probability of dying in a crash multiplies by 4,5 when going from 50 to 65 km/h.
What is New York City doing?
These new changes are part of the state’s Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement Program. This program addresses intrusions in construction zones, mainly to protect construction workers, whose lives are endangered by reckless drivers.
Moreover, they have started installing speed cameras on bridges, tunnels, and construction areas. If a driver is caught by one of these cameras, they’ll receive a fine by mail immediately!
How much are the fines?
It all depends on your history of infractions. If you haven’t committed any violations, the first fine will be $50. If you repeat within 18 months, it will be $75, and if you haven’t learned your lesson and commit a third infraction within those 18 months, you’ll have to pay $100. So, those fines increase gradually as you can see.
Of course, these fines aren’t meant to make you think, but to dissuade users who don’t care about the safety of workers and pedestrians. So, the more a driver repeats, the more expensive it’ll be.
Hochul (the governor) has stated that public safety is her top priority and that they want to extend this program to MTA Bridges and Tunnels.
Beyond construction zone
Of course, this fight against speeding isn’t new. New York has been very connected to this issue and other traffic violations.
This year, Sammy’s Law has begun to be applied, reducing the maximum allowed speed in the city from 25 to 20 miles per hour. This law, named after a 12-year-old boy run over by a driver who was going too fast… And it will be extended throughout the city before the end of the year.
We must be aware that the road is not just ours… Things as horrifying as what happened to little Sammy can happen…
And for now?
New York has more than 2,000 traffic cameras deployed throughout the city. This system, one of the largest in the United States, has been key in reducing speeding cases by 70% over the last three decades.
Driving fast can seem tempting when the streets are clear, but in New York, you won’t be able to anymore. The new cameras, the fines, and the legislative approach aim not only to collect revenue but to prevent tragedies.
Every kilometre per hour over the limit can make the difference between arriving… or not arriving. So next time you cross a New York tunnel or bridge, think twice before hitting the gas.