By Jennifer Warren
The state Senate last week approved the installation of cameras to catch speeders along Queens Boulevard, part of a citywide program to improve traffic safety, said state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose), sponsor of the legislation.
A similar bill in the Assembly, introduced by Deborah Glick (D-Mahattan), has not yet been voted on.
The cameras function much the like red-light cameras already in place and measure a vehicle’s speed and issue tickets via the mail to drivers exceeding the limit. The locations, which have not been disclosed, will be determined by the New York City Department of Transportation.
The bill would approve installations along Queens Boulevard and other dangerous roadways as a precursor to implementing cameras citywide.
The pilot program would measure the impact the cameras have on reducing speed and pedestrian fatalities in high-traffic areas, Padavan said.
“It’s time to look at alternatives to traditional speed enforcement methods, considering the high level of pedestrian fatalities on Queens Boulevard,” Padavan said.
The legislation calls for 10 cameras to be installed in the program’s first year, and an additional 10 in the second year. The cameras can monitor five lanes of traffic and photograph license plate of vehicles that surpass the speed limit.
“We need to do something, and evidence from other cities and independent studies clearly shows that these types of devices have a significant impact on traffic and pedestrian safety,” Padavan said.
The DOT said it would most likely be consulted to determine where the cameras are placed, but the start date for the cameras is not yet known.
Queens Boulevard, a seven-mile thoroughfare in western Queens, runs 12 lanes wide at points and is considered one of the most dangerous roadways in New York City. Since 1993 more than 70 pedestrians have been killed on the boulevard and hundreds more have been injured.
Joseph Hennessy, chairman of Community Board 6 that covers Forest Hills and Rego Park, said the cameras are a welcome addition to safety measures along the boulevard.
The drawback, however, is they ticket only the vehicle owner, not the driver, Hennessy said.
“They can’t I.D. the driver. So the driver doesn’t get points on his license. The car gets the ticket,” he said.
However, the cameras will help with enforcement, Hennessy said, especially late at night, when the roads are clear and drivers are tempted to speed.
“We’ll really have to be careful now,” he said.
Reach reporter Jennifer Warren by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 155.
