Tuckahoe Village Departments

TUCKAHOE TALK
With Mayor John Fitzpatrick

Pavlov's People

March 29, 2009

Pavlov's system seems to work for people as well as dogs, albeit with a twist. In regards to people the stimulus may still be visual, but the speed with which they learn is accelerated when the situation is painful to their wallet. The corridor of Midland Avenue in Bronxville is an excellent example of this behavior. All town residents drive very cautiously on this street paying strict attention to the speed limit. The reason for our Pavlovian behavior on this street is a direct consequence of motorists continually witnessing the strict speed enforcement by Bronxville's Police Department. Sadly, most people aren't making a decision simply based on the posted speed limit, but rather a fear of repercussions (such as being bitten by a costly, point-filled speeding ticket). With respect to anybody still speeding on this stretch of roadway, one must deduce that they are either not from around here or learning impaired.

This subject incited me to carry out one of my informal surveys of residents; attempting to determine in which areas they automatically slow down for fear of getting caught speeding. Their answer for the most part was evenly split between Route 22 in Bronxville, Midland Ave in Bronxville and California Road next to the lake in Eastchester. If I had, in fact, surveyed the whole town, I'd bet there wouldn't have been a single resident that hasn't recalled seeing a police car waiting or pulling over a vehicle in these particular spots. Tuckahoe, you may have observed, is not on the list; but I believe that may soon change.

I am writing today to inform all residents that Oakland Avenue in Tuckahoe is the latest place that you would be prudent to automatically slow down on. Oakland is a cut through from the Leewood section to the Crestwood section. As a first remedy to address speeding along this avenue we lowered the speed limit to 25 MPH, but that didn't help slow down the traffic. So if it was a lesson the world needed regarding this particular street – then please note that class has begun. The Police Department has issued 37 speeding tickets in the first month, and I promise you, more will follow. As one would expect, most of those caught in the net were residents. A few felt it necessary to call the village to point out that they weren't aware the speed limit had been lowered. Amusingly, they were usually clocked over the former speed limit, but felt this technicality was irrelevant.

New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law allows villages to establish a minimum speed limit of 30 MPH. Within the municipality a village may also designate some streets at 25 MPH. The only allowance for anything lower is a school zone which may be 15 MPH. Interestingly, police officers are also entitled to ticket a motorist for speed which may be unreasonable or imprudent (which could be operating in a manner unsafe even within the speed limit). Speeding tickets, in addition to a stiff fine, may come with several bonus prizes: a mandatory driver safety class and/or points on your license. We all know that points can increase your insurance rates for a little added torture, and if you accumulate enough of these, your license may be suspended. Any dispensation of the penalties that one may ultimately suffer is at the discretion of our court system, but for the record I hope they throw the book at all of them.

The unfortunate reality is that posted speed signs are basically irrelevant to many drivers, whether 25 MPH or 30 MPH. And let's face it: on some streets even 25 MPH is too fast. Thankfully, our community has never suffered the tragedy of a fatal car and pedestrian accident. However, some residents have been struck and others have lost pets. Oakland Avenue and every block in Tuckahoe contain our children and other loved ones, and that should make those of us who live here want to slow down. Regrettably, many drivers are so distracted by so many things, that they never even notice they are speeding.

Should any resident feel that my attitude is too harsh regarding this matter they are welcome, as always, to email or call my office. I must tell you in advance, however, that my attitude probably wont get any better because speeding shouldn't be tolerated. The reminder here is that our police will be patrolling all streets for speeders, but if you're on Oakland Avenue consider yourself warned. I do realize most of us are human and on occasion we may not obey a law that governs the operation of a motor vehicle. However, if you are caught - take your ticket, your penalty and learn to be more mindful of our residents' safety.