On many of our streets in Albany, pedestrians and bicyclists don't have a chance. The article about the deadly design of Central Avenue ("Toll: 8 dead, 300 injured," April 7) has spurred a crucial debate and helped pave the way for a Complete Streets ordinance that will require the city to consider all users of the road, not just cars. Kudos to the legislators, particularly council member Leah Golby, who are making our streets safer. Now we need help from the state.
Speeding is the No. 1 killer on our roads. As a pedestrian, if you're hit by a car going 30 mph, you have a 70 percent chance of living; if that car is going 40 mph, your chances of surviving drop to 20 percent.
Unfortunately, the city doesn't have the authority to lower the speed limit or to use life-saving camera technologies to help curb speeding. To go down that road, municipalities need special permission from the state, which is not easy to get. An attempt by the city of Niagara Falls to lower its speed limit has been "held in committee," and a crucial speed camera demonstration program for New York City has been a victim of Albany politics for years.
It is time for state legislators to stop hindering the ability of local leaders to save lives. Allowing cities like Albany the right to set its own speed limits and passing New York's speed camera demonstration program would be a good first step.
Nadine Lemmon
Albany Legislative Advocate, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, Albany