NYC responds to jury verdict on speeder-friendly street design

After a biker was badly injured by a speeding motorist on Gerritsen Avenue in Brooklyn, a jury in 2011 held New York City legally responsible for not having more speeder-unfriendly street design. The city is now instituting such changes, which according to one advocate should no longer be deemed “subject to debate.” The city was held 40 percent liable, but paid 95 percent or $19 million of a $20 million settlement. “‘This ruling from New York’s highest court puts an end to the notion that traffic safety improvements should be subject to debate and contingent on unanimous local opinion,’ said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. ‘The scientific verdict has been in for several years: traffic calming works to save lives and prevent injuries.'” [Alissa Walker, Curbed]

3 Comments

  • ‘The scientific verdict has been in for several years: traffic calming works to save lives and prevent injuries.’” The same logic can support outlawing all cars. There are always trade-offs.

  • They cover up all the deaths from accidents caused by all this “calming” curbs and other dangerous curbs and other impediments, using new laws like HIPPA, or categorizing them as unrelated. They are simply anti-car (or trying to mess with USA efficiency), not trying to save people.

    • Yep.