Seeking to curb school zone speeding

Based on data presented by state officials, if a vehicle traveling 40 mph hits a child there is a 70 percent chance that a fatality will occur, but should a vehicle strike a child at 30 mph there is an 80 percent chance of survival.

Those figures prompted Gov. Andrew Cuomo to sign legislation into law at Bethpage High School on June 25 that allows Nassau and Suffolk counties to establish a pilot program to install cameras in school speed zones.

One camera per district — 69 in Suffolk, 56 in Nassau — can be installed in an effort to curb speeding in school zones. The law also includes a provision for New York City to expand use by 120 school zones, for a total of 140.

“A school safety report indicates 200 motorists per hour exceeded the posted speed limit by 25 mph,” Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, said at the Wednesday press conference. “I thank Gov. Cuomo for approving this pilot program as it protects our children and serves as an important message to motorists to exercise care in our school zones.”

Officials said that using speed cameras in school zones is a supplement to the overall police presence on the streets to catch violators and prevent accidents that could happen due to speeding.

“New York State will not tolerate drivers who exercise reckless behavior and put other people at risk — especially around our schools,” Cuomo said. “This should send a message to all drivers — slow down and obey the speed limit, especially when passing a school.”

The new law was needed to amend current state vehicle and traffic law to create a provision for speed cameras, state officials said. Nassau and Suffolk counties are responsible for purchase and installation of the cameras.

Violations would be adjudicated by either the Nassau or Suffolk County Traffic and Parking Violations agencies. The penalty may not exceed $50 per violation, except that a $25 may be imposed for failure to respond to a violation within a specific time period.

Speed camera violations are equal to a parking ticket and are assessed against the person who hold’s the vehicle’s registration, not the driver. If guilty, a registrant’s failure to pay three or more speed camera violations within an 18-month period could result in suspension or non-renewal of registration.

In Seaford, the district has not had any discussions related to the location of the camera(s), however, issues of speeding and student safety are most problematic on Washington Avenue near the Manor School and Seaman’s Neck Road near the high school.

“Whether or not the cameras will help with safety remains to be seen, but it is hoped that motorists will be more mindful of their driving habits and will slow down in areas where children and their families may be walking if the potential is there to be caught on camera and fined for the violation,” Superintendent Brian Conboy said.

In Wantagh, cameras are installed at Mandalay and Forest Lake elementary schools. 

“The high school and middle school are both located on a dead end street so a speed camera may not be essential due to traffic flow,” Superintendent Maureen Goldberg said. “Keeping that in mind, Wantagh Elementary School would be a possible candidate, but the district has made no decision and will examine all possible installation points.” 

She added that any device that encourages driver responsibility and results in improved safety for the students, staff and community would be welcomed by the district.