New York Senate Moves to Allow Towns to Set Speed Limits

Towns in New York State may be on the fast track to being able to set their own speed limits without going through state channels.

The State Senate this week passed a measure sponsored by Senator Betty Little of Queensbury that would allow towns to set reasonable speed limits within their own jurisdictions.

The current law requires municipalities to petition the New York State Department of Transportation to set speed limits.

Villages, cities and about 80 towns that have large populations, however had been exempt from the requirement.

Little said the petition requirement was time-consuming and cost the smaller municipalities money that the larger towns didn’t have to absorb.

Thoroughfares that are classified as local roads would qualify under the legislation so long as the speed limit would be set at less than 55 miles an hour and that are in compliance with engineering and safety specifications and are certified by a licensed engineer specializing in traffic operations.