A newly-proposed plan may result in the implantation of speed cameras on a busy street in the east Bronx.
Morris Park Avenue, a nearly 40-block stretch from Wyatt Street to Eastchester Road, may soon see the installment of speed cameras as a result of frequent speeding of vehicles on the thoroughfare.
The speed cameras would be implemented from Williamsbridge to White Plains roads, to increase safety on that particular stretch of Morris Park Avenue.
The plan was originally brought to Community Board 11’s attention by the Morris Park Community Association at the community board’s District Service Cabinet meeting on Thursday, June 15.
“During the day, this isn’t that big of a problem – but at night (especially after midnight), this stretch is a major safety concern,” said Al D’Angelo, president of the MPCA. “At night, pedestrians – especially those wearing dark clothing – are at risk when these cars are speeding.”
According to D’Angelo, who suggested this plan to the NYC Department of Transportation, due to the traffic light pattern on Morris Park Avenue, vehicles are able to drive from Paulding to Bronxdale avenues (and vice versa) without having to stop for a single red light. However, the motorist must speed to do so, causing a potentially dangerous scenario for pedestrians and other motorists traveling a night.
“It’s a safety issue – and the last thing that we (MPCA) wants is for any of our neighbors to get hurt as a result of this scenario,” D’Angelo added.
D’Angelo said that speed cameras would be appropriate solution for speeding on that particular stretch of Morris Park Avenue, but that speed bumps would be potentially hazardous if motorists don’t see the bumps as they approach them, especially city buses.
Multiple locations along Morris Park Avenue including the Bronx Charter School For Excellence, 1804 Holland Avenue, and Matthews Muliner Playground, 1834 Matthews Avenue, and their surrounding areas may become safer as a result of the speed camera installation if they are in effect during the day as well.
The new MPCA president explained that the speed cameras are set to catch any vehicle going faster than 35 miles per hour, in order to give motorists a 10 mph grace range.
According to nyc.gov, speeding results in more deaths than drunk drivers and cell phone-distracted drivers combined in the five boroughs.
The fine for a speed camera violations is $50, which is cheaper than a traditional speeding ticket. A speed camera violation will not result in an increase of car insurance payments or deducted points on a drivers license.
It is currently unclear how many speed cameras will be implemented.
Community Board 11 district manager Jeremy Warneke said that this proposal has been on the board’s agenda since April.
The DOT confirmed that they received the request for a speed camera from CB11 and that they will emphasize the location in the future in response to the board’s request.
Currently, the New York State Legislature is considering a bill that would allow the city to expand the number of speed cameras in use, according to a DOT spokesperson.
By law, cameras are usually installed only where there is a school nearby, however there are some exceptions.
