JUNE 1, 2009

LEGISLATOR WROBLEWSKI SUPPORTING STATE LAWS ALLOWING TOWNS TO SET OWN MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS

Erie County Legislator Timothy M. Wroblewski (D-West Seneca, South Cheektowaga) is pleased that the Erie County Legislature joined him in voting in support of a state law which will allow many municipalities to determine the maximum speed limits for their roads and highways at the May 28 session.

The County Legislature unanimously approved requesting the New York State Assembly and Senate to authorize laws allowing 852 towns currently prohibited from addressing speed limit issues in their jurisdictions without first petitioning the New York State Department of Transportation. This includes 17 towns in Erie County.

"I am proud to advocate approving these laws, which will remove the shackles from town governments in setting speed limits," Legislator Wroblewski, Chair of the Public Safety Committee, said. "Nobody knows more than the local policing agencies, town highway professionals and elected leaders about the realities of the roads in question. Some speed limits were first established when portions of the towns were more farm lands and are now residential neighborhoods."

Legislator Wroblewski also noted that the towns which decide to set speed limits would need to do so in accordance with engineering specifications and other factors applicable to speed limits set forth in the New York State manual and specifications for a uniform system of traffic control devices, certified by a licensed professional engineer specializing in traffic operations.

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