Jackson Heights Life

Without enforcement, this is a waste of time. I pray that they hit these drivers with heavy duty fines. Also drivers u-turning (37th Avenue!!!) and backing up down one way streets.

According to the linked press release the slow zones include speed bumps, which can help a bit even if there's no enforcement. Here's hoping.

Here is an article regarding the new slow zone in East Elmhurst:

http://queenscourier.com/2013/east-elmhurst-gets-slow-zone/

The article ends with this sentence:

"Later this month, Dromm will propose the creation of the Jackson Heights Slow Zone, projected to stretch from 69th Street to 87th Street between Roosevelt Avenue and Northern Boulevard."

I agree that there should be some measures taken to prevent the crazy drivers from flouting the law.  On the other hand, I would love to see some enforcement against crazy pedestrians and cyclists.  I see WAY too many pedestrians crossing agains the light.  Hang out at Roosevelt & 82nd (or anywhere on Roosevelt) and see how many people will risk their lives crossing in front of buses that have the right of way...and they'll do it while on cell phones! And don't get me started on cyclists going the wrong way.  Nevertheless, more rules without enforcement won't get us anywhere.

Some Interesting Streetscape Proposals for Community Board Three Tomorrow

"Tomorrow, Community Board Three will hear a few interesting items concerning streetscape improvements in Jackson Heights. We hear via Streetsblog that the meeting includes DOT presentations on a safety project for Northern Boulevard and the Jackson Heights Neighborhood Slow Zone, as well as an item on improvements for the Roosevelt Bridge.

Jackson Heights already has a slow zone bordering East Elmhurst, but according to this recent DOT slideshow, another one is proposed for the area bounded by 34th Avenue, 87th Street, Roosevelt Avenue, Broadway and the BQE (map pictured above). The speed limit will be reduced to 20 mph, and there will be new speed markings and speed bumps installed. The proposal, submitted by Council Member Daniel Dromm, also has the support of a number of community groups. For the Northern Boulevard safety project, detailed here by Streetsblog, the DOT is proposing nine pedestrian islands between 63rd and 103rd Streets. Four of the nine new islands — at 75th, 78th, 96th, and 102nd Streets — will include left turn bans. Local pols previously pushed for a comprehensive and complete redesign of the thoroughfare, so the DOT’s efforts are at least a start. Finally, there will be a presentation of the rehabilitation of the Roosevelt Avenue Bridge.

The meeting tomorrow is at 7pm and will be held outdoors at Diversity Plaza."

http://queens.brownstoner.com/2014/06/some-interesting-streetscape-proposals-for-community-board-three-tomorrow/?ic_source=icma

Community Board meeting agenda: http://www.cb3qn.nyc.gov/file_depot/0-10000000/0-10000/2480/associatedFiles/Agenda+-+June+19$2C+2014.pdf

I hate to be the lone dissenter here, but I am not in favor of this legislation without any additional education or training all around. Failure to yield when turning (and in general), running stop signs or red lights, and drunk/texting/otherwise distracted drivers seem to amount for the majority of the fatal accidents. These people are already scofflaws at 30mph. Are they going to start obeying the speed limit just because it's lower? My guess is no. It's just going to snarl traffic for the rest of us who are law-abiding citizens. Why not focus on training and enforcement of the existing laws?

I hope that I am wrong. I hope that when we lower the speed limit, the scofflaws change their behavior and there aren't any additional fatalities. But what if there aren't? I guess they'll just ban cars altogether. And what do we do about pedestrians who insist on taking their lives into their own hands (in front of buses and trucks, no less!) I'm looking at you, pedestrians of Roosevelt Ave & Northern Blvd.

I've yet to see a traffic officer in the neighborhood. The City would make a killing just off of the illegal u-turns on 37th Ave.