City's First 20 mph 'Slow Zone' Implemented in the Bronx

DOT

New York City's first "Slow Zone," a residential area of several blocks with maximum marked speeds of 20 miles per hour, has been unveiled in the Claremont section of the Bronx. The Daily News reports that 46 people were injured or killed in the Community Board 3 neighborhood, which includes Claremont, between 2006 and 2010. In fascinating yet morbid statistical information, if you're hit by a car going 20 miles per hour, you have a 95% chance of surviving, which drops to 30% if the car is going 40 miles per hour.

The new slow zone has numerous speed bumps and 28 signs indicating the reduced speed limit (normally 30 miles per hour). The city says there will be more of these zones on the way, speed notwithstanding. Oh, and they will not make traffic worse:

Will reducing the speed limit cause traffic congestion?
No. Most travel delay on urban streets is caused by congestion and the traffic signal timing that balances vehicle and pedestrian flows. Also, the Slow Zones will be implemented in areas with low traffic volumes.

In fact, they sound rather nice:

The ultimate goal of the Neighborhood Slow Zone program is to lower the incidence and severity of crashes. Slow Zones also seek to enhance quality of life by reducing cut-through traffic and traffic noise in residential neighborhoods.

Don't worry, you can request your own slow zone, too. The deadline for applications is February 3. In the meantime, Gothamist has a map of the Claremont changes posted for your inspection. Or you could just play Frogger.

City creates first 20 mph Slow Zone to reduce accidents [NYDN]

[JDoll / @thisisjendoll]

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