BILL NUMBER: S573
SPONSOR: SALAZAR
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to authorizing
a five mile per hour speed limit for open streets in cities having a
population in excess of one million
 
PURPOSE:
To authorize New York City to set a five mile per hour speed limit on
Open Streets.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends subparagraph (a) of paragraph 27 of subdivision (a) of
section 1642 of the vehicle and traffic law to grant the authority to
the City of New York establish a speed limit of five miles per hour on
Open Streets.
Section 2 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The Open Streets program is designed to allow pedestrians and cyclists
to enjoy the city streets with limited or no vehicle traffic. On streets
where vehicles are permitted, the NYC Department of Transportation
advises motorists to "be extremely cautious and to drive 5 MPH or slow-
er." However, drivers regularly travel at speeds much higher than 5MPH,
posing a danger to other individuals who want to enjoy the Open Streets.
Streets designed for walking and cycling should be protected against
vehicles which travel at highly unsafe speeds. New York City should have
the authority to set a 5 MPH speed limit on Open Streets.
 
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
SENATE
2023-2024: S315A (Salazar) - Referred to Transportation.
2022: S9569 (Salazar)- Referred to Rules ASSEMBLY
2023-2024: A1416A (Epstein) - Referred to Transportation.
2022: A10647 (Epstein)- Referred to Transportation
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment, and/or
repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
this act p its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on
or before such effective date.

Statutes affected:
S573: 1642 vehicle and traffic law