NYC ‘super speeders’ bill heads into final state budget, bringing relief to hard‑hit neighborhoods
The “super speeders” bill would require mechanical speed limiters to be installed in the cars of drivers who receive more than 16 speeding tickets in a single year.
More Stories
A statewide plan to crack down on New York City’s most dangerous drivers is set to become law as part of the final state budget, giving residents in speeding hot spots new hope that long‑awaited safety changes are finally coming.
The “super speeders” bill would require mechanical speed limiters to be installed in the cars of drivers who receive more than 16 speeding tickets in a single year. The devices would prevent vehicles from exceeding the posted speed limit. State data shows some of the worst speeding happens along Ocean Parkway, even though the corridor includes school zones.
“After 16, yeah. Oh, absolutely, take it away, what are you doing?” said Kenny, who lives near Ocean Parkway. He added that the stretch has become so dangerous that “his is not Ocean Parkway, it’s Ocean Speedway. You hear them, you see the donuts.”
Some residents say the consequences of reckless driving have hit far too close to home. One homeowner told News 12 his house has been struck by speeding cars three times.
“I’m completely happy something is being done to protect people in their homes,” said Richard Galva. “But 16 tickets? Should be less than that.”
State lawmakers are still deciding how many times a driver should be allowed to override the limiter in an emergency. The original bill gave judges the authority to set that number, but negotiations are ongoing.
State Sen. Andrew Gounardes said the goal is to reduce the number of chances a repeat offender has to continue driving dangerously.
“The idea here is we want to limit the number of instances in which a vehicle that has a history of being driven recklessly and dangerously and in excess of the speed limit can continue to drive that way,” he said.
He says the bill is an expansion on a pilot program run by the city's non-emergency fleet, which resulted in a decline in accidents.
The measure would apply to any car driving within New York City, not just vehicles registered to city residents.
Officials say the cost of installing the limiters would be paid by the drivers who triggered the requirement, not taxpayers.
