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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 260-12
July 15, 2012

MAYOR BLOOMBERG DISCUSSES HOW SMARTER POLICIES, INCLUDING NEW EXPANSION OF NEIGHBORHOOD SLOW ZONES, HAVE IMPROVED CITY'S TRAFFIC SAFETY RECORD IN WEEKLY RADIO ADDRESS

The following is the text of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's weekly radio address as prepared for delivery on 1010 WINS News Radio for Sunday, July 15, 2012.

“Good Morning. This is Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

“Our commitment to making New York’s roads safer is paying big dividends – no matter how you travel.  Over the last decade, the number of fatal traffic accidents in our city has declined nearly 40 percent.  And the number of pedestrians who die as a result of being hit by a car is dramatically down, too – 31 percent over the same period.  In fact, 2011 was the best year for traffic safety in New York City in more than 100 years.  Compared to the 10 other largest U.S. cities, New York continues to rank as the safest, with a fatality rate less than half the average.

“It’s undeniable: smart policies and aggressive enforcement have made a big difference on our streets. But we can do even more.

“Last week, I unveiled our latest measure to build on New York’s traffic safety gains – a new Neighborhood Slow Zone in Corona, Queens.  In Neighborhood Slow Zones, which we’ve created in response to requests from local residents and community groups, new signs and speed bumps helps enforce reduced speed limits – from 30 miles per hour down to 20.  This new zone will cover a roughly 35 square block residential neighborhood that includes two schools and 10 pre-kindergarten or Head Start locations.

“We created the first slow zone in the Claremont section of the Bronx last November, and since then we’ve seen great success in the area.  There, speed bumps effectively reduced speed at six out of seven locations where they were installed.  Applications for four more Neighborhood Slow Zones have been approved by Community Boards, and nine others are pending review.  And we’ll continue to work with Community Boards, residents and local groups to create more.

“Slow zones are just one part of our effort to make our streets safer through better engineering and design.  We’ve also created new pedestrian plazas in Times Square and Herald Square, and we’re planning safety redesigns of streets where traffic has been especially dangerous, such as Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard in Harlem and 4th Avenue in Brooklyn.  We’ve installed red light cameras at 150 intersections throughout the city.  And we’re working with leaders in Albany to install speed cameras around the city.

“We’re also educating New Yorkers of all ages on the dangers of speeding.  And the NYPD continues to focus enforcement on the violations that most often cause serious injury and death, including drivers and passengers who are not wearing seat belts and drivers who talk or text on cell phones without a hands-free device.

“Bottom line: our three part strategy – better engineering, better education and better enforcement – is saving lives and helping to keep our city the safest in the nation.

“This is Mayor Mike Bloomberg.  Thanks for listening.”







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