In 2018, the Legislature recognized the need to start making our streets safer and created a pilot program which allowed the City of Philadelphia to install automated speed cameras along Roosevelt Boulevard. When the cameras were placed in June 2020, Roosevelt Boulevard was considered one of the most dangerous roads in Pennsylvania. Since that time, conditions along Roosevelt Boulevard have improved drastically – speeding tickets have dropped 93%, fatal and serious injury crashes have decreased by 21%, and crashes involving pedestrians have decreased by 50%. Seeing the success of the pilot program, the Legislature made the program permanent in 2023 and gave Philadelphia the authority to install additional speed cameras.
 
While the expansion of the Automated Speed Enforcement Program is something to be celebrated, we all know that speed-related incidents are not limited to Philadelphia. This is why I am introducing legislation to permit the City of Allentown to join the program and install automated speed cameras along some of the most dangerous roadways throughout the city. This legislation would allow Allentown to utilize speed cameras after the passage of an ordinance and to designate a system administrator to supervise and coordinate the administration of violation notices issued under the law.
 
This legislation is all about changing behaviors. Especially with distracted driving on the rise, it is more important than ever that drivers learn to slow down. The people of Allentown deserve safer commutes and the assurance that they will make it to their destinations without incident. Please join me in supporting safe driving habits by co-sponsoring this legislation.