Some years ago, while visiting Nantucket, I was impressed by the signs that read "20 Is Plenty in 'Sconset." I didn't realize the 20 mph speed limit was unenforceable. People observed it, despite the fact that, at the time, the lowest legally enforceable speed in Massachusetts was 30 mph. In 2017, a new law was adopted in Massachusetts that allows municipalities to set their speed limits at 25 mph, but even with the lower legally enforceable speed limit, the Siasconset Civic Association still encourages residents and visitors to drive no faster than 20 mph.
Here in New York, the lowest legally enforceable speed is 30 mph, but apparently there are certain circumstances that allow a municipality to adopt a lower speed limit and have it be enforceable. At the Legal Committee meeting on Wednesday, before the attention turned to the proposed Hudson Breathes Act, it was noted that Alderman Dominic Merante (Fifth Ward) was researching what was involved in getting the enforceable speed limit in Hudson reduced to 25 mph. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to reduce the speed limit on the streets that are truck routes through the city, but the goal is to reduce the speed limit on all other streets--for example, Allen, Union, Warren, and State streets, as well as the residential streets on the north side of town and in the boulevards.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CAROLE OSTERINK
There is a 20 mph speed limit sign on E. Partition Street between S. Fifth Street and E. Court Street. I'd like to know when it was installed and how it got there.
ReplyDeletePeople race down Cherry Alley all the time. Installing speed bumps to calm traffic in the alley would be beneficial.
Meanwhile, I have emailed the DOT to request improvements for cyclists and pedestrians on Fairview Avenue. I'm following up with snail mail to Governor Cuomo today.
Reach out to the Greenport supervisor Kathy Eldridge, she may be of help. Also, Michael Duval is our local DOT resident engineer, office located on 66 at Healy Blvd. B Huston
DeleteSounds like a good idea to me. The upper block of Union Street, the 800 block, is like a race track, especially from cars turning off Worth and zooming down to 7th at the railroad tracks. Considering the police station is right there I'm surprised there aren't more vigilant police cars in the area.
ReplyDeleteA reduced speed limit in general sounds good to me! I've always been perplexed as to why people love to speed! Slow down, save some lives and appreciate what you are driving by! Warren Street was packed today with pedestrians - a reduced speed limit helps!
ReplyDeleteWhile Worth Avenue is an issue so are many others coming into and going out of Hudson. Just stand on 3rd Street for 5 minutes and you'll see cars, trucks and motorcycles FLYING down the road. Once or twice a month (quota time) you see the police ticketing someone. I watched a van try to catch the light at 3rd and Columbia going so fast I was sure it was going to roll.
ReplyDeleteLowering the speed limit should happen. However, how many new signs would that require and can we afford it? And would HPD enforce a new limit anyway? They don't seem to have a problem with the State Street speedway, which has gotten worse lately.
ReplyDeleteThere is a great lawn sign on Glenwood: ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT SPEED BUMPS. SLOW DOWN. Glenwood, a major artery of downtown, and there is NOT ONE speed limit sign in either direction. BILL HUSTON
Worth avenue headed out of town: NOT ONE speed limit sign! B HUSTON
DeleteGreat idea
ReplyDeleteAfter conversations with residents of East Allen and Union about speeds on Partition, I asked the Police Commissioner to authorize the 20 mph limit. He did and DPW installed the signs.
ReplyDeleteYears ago when I lived in Rhinebeck, I pursued an attempt to reduce speeding through my neighborhood. I hired a traffic engineer and commissioned a report which demonstrated inadequate stopping sight distance. (Speed vs forward visibility). The basic fact of speed enforcement and driver behavior is that signs mean nothing. Drivers will drive as fast as they feel comfortable. The only way to slow traffic is to construct a barrier such as a lane squeeze . Speed bumps are too noisy.
ReplyDeleteSpeed humps are what we need, not bumps. B Huston
DeletePlease correct me if I'm mistaken, but didn't John Friedman state that the minimum speed limit in cities under New York law is 30 mph? If so, is the 20 mph sign on Partition Street invalid?
ReplyDeleteNYS V&T Law Sec. 1643 sets the min. at 30 mph. So absent an approved home rule message via the state legislature the City has no power to lower the limit except in a school zone (1/4 mile either side of a school). However, a motorist is required to obey posted traffic control devices (ie signs and lights). So if it’s illegally posted (as by the park and Partition) you still have to obey — but you can sue the City under Art. 78 to have it changed. You might be able to get damages if your losses are due to the City’s mistake.
Delete