What's happening
This bill allows the town of East Hampton to set speed limits as low as 20 mph on specific local streets.
Why it matters
Gives East Hampton local control over speed limits. The bill allows the town to set its own speed limits as low as 20 mph on specified streets, rather than being restricted by broader state regulations, letting local officials respond directly to community needs and concerns.
Aims to improve safety on targeted roads. Lower speed limits can help reduce the severity and likelihood of accidents, especially on residential or high-pedestrian-traffic streets, which may be a priority in areas with schools, parks, or active neighborhoods.
Could impact traffic flow and driver behavior. While intended to enhance safety, lower speed limits may also affect travel times and how drivers use these streets, potentially leading to increased enforcement needs or changes in local traffic patterns.
Sets a precedent for other localities. If successful, this legislation could encourage other towns in New York to seek similar authority, potentially leading to more localized control over traffic regulations statewide.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Lower Speed Limits Allowed
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to local government
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to transportation
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 59–1
- Home rule request
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.383
- Referred to local government
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Lower Speed Limits Approved
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 3738 A. 5579
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
February 13, 2019
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Local Government
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT authorizing the town of East Hampton to reduce the maximum speed limit along certain designated streets in such town to not less than
20 miles per hour
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Notwithstanding any general, special or local law or code to the contrary, the town board of the town of East Hampton in Suffolk county, subject to the limitations imposed by sections 1624 and 1684 of the vehicle and traffic law may by local law, ordinance, order, rule or regulation establish maximum speed limits at not less than twenty miles per hour on any portion of the following streets within such town: Indian Hill Road, Miller Lane and Miller Lane East and Miller Lane West, Bluff Road, Mako Lane, Marine Boulevard, Atlantic Avenue, Main Street (Wainscott), Wainscott Stone Road, and Indian Wells Highway.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03222-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act authorizing the town of East Hampton to reduce the maximum speed limit along certain designated streets in such town to not less than 20 miles per hour
Purpose
To authorize the Town Board of the Town of East Hampton in the County of Suffolk, to reduce speed limits to not less than 20 miles per hour on any portion of Indian Hill Road, Miller Lane and Miller Lane East and Miller Lane West, bluff Road, Make Lane, Marine Boulevard, Atlantic Avenue, Main Street (Wainscott), Wainscott Stone Road and Indian Wells Highway located in the town of East Hampton.
Summary of provisions
Authorizes the East Hampton Town Board to enact local laws to reduce speed limits on certain roads within the Town's jurisdiction.
Justification
The Town of East Hampton is a quiet residential Town on eastern Long Island. The quaint hamlets are home to numerous small shops, restaurants and sightseeing venues that are situated on narrow and congested road- ways so driver and pedestrian safety is of the utmost importance. Traf- fic calming measures may not always be a feasible option in these areas due to the landscaping configurations and desired community character. As such, the best way to achieve the safest streets possible for driv- ers, cyclists and pedestrians in the Town of East Hampton is to lower the speed limits in some areas under the Town's jurisdiction.
Legislative history
2017-18 S.5558/A.7174; 2015-16 S.2928A/A.4263A.
Fiscal implications
None to the State.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.