Provides that the town board of certain towns may establish maximum speed limits on certain town highways

10 Co-sponsors

• John J. Bonacic
• Patrick M. Gallivan
• William J. Larkin Jr.
• George Latimer
• Michael F. Nozzolio
• Marc Panepinto
• Patty Ritchie
• Diane J. Savino
• James L. Seward
• David J. Valesky

BILL NUMBER:S1216 REVISED MEMO 01/29/2015

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to establishing speed limits in towns

Purpose

To permit towns to set speed limits on all local roads under their jurisdiction.

Summary of provisions

Section 1This bill would amend section 1622 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law to authorize towns to establish maximum speed limits on all town highways that are functionally classified as "local roads," within limits and standards set forth in the bill. The bill would require towns electing to set maximum speed limits to do so on all local roads under their jurisdiction in accordance with engineering specifications and other factors applicable to speed limits, set forth in the New York State manual and specifications for a uniform system of traffic control devices, certified by a licensed professional engineer specializing in traffic operations. For towns which do not opt to set speed limits, the bill would retain the State Department of Transportation's jurisdiction to set maximum speed limits on all such roads, at the request of the applicable town board.

Section 2 Contains the effective date

Existing law

Under Current law, towns with 50,000 in population (approximately 24 towns), suburban class towns (approximately 56 towns), and all cities and villages (without regard to population) are authorized to set speed limits within their jurisdiction.

Justification

This legislation will allow the remaining towns (approximately 852 towns), who are currently prohibited from addressing speed limit issues in their jurisdiction without petitioning the State Department of Transportation, to set speed limits within their jurisdiction. Petitioning the Department of transportation is a long arduous process and often results with a denial.

This arbitrary distinction does not make sense. Many of the villages that are setting their own speed limits are smaller in population then the towns that seek comparable authority to set their own speed limits. And, as the population of many towns increases, the need to address road safety through speed limits in a timely fashion also increases. This bill would remedy the inequitable situation and allow town governments to set speed limits in order to ensure public safety.

Legislative history

2013/14: S. 1356 Passed Senate; A. 6089 Referred to Transportation 2010: S. 293 Advanced to third reading; A. 11086 Transportation 2009: S. 293 Referred to Transportation; A. 11086 Transportation

2008: S. 1137-A 3rd Reading; A. 6260-A Transportation 2007: S. 1137 Passed Senate; A. 6260 Codes 2006: S. 723-A Transportation; A. 2822-A Codes 2005: S. 723 Rules; A. 2822 Transportation 2003/04: S. 3931 Rules

Fiscal implications

None

Local fiscal implications

None

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the department of transportation is authorized and directed to promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date.