On March 18, 1998 the Daily News proved what everyone in New York City already knew - most drivers speed. The news zapped 350 cars and found that "84% exceeded the speed limit." Cars on residential streets reached speeds of 62 mph.

Not only do most drivers speed but most do so without penalty. Despite much rhetoric from Mayor Giuliani, including his announcement in 1995 of "Police Strategy No. 8: Reclaiming The Roads of New York" which details the creation of an 1,100-officer Traffic Control Division responsible for enforcing traffic laws and directing traffic (see MTR #56), the laws have not been enforced. In 1996, police gave only 89,097 speeding summonses -- far less than the number of drivers who broke the law, according to the News's research.

The widespread disregard for the law, found by the News, demonstrates that posting speed limits will do little to deter the crime. Streets with well posted speed limits and those without speed limit signs had just as many speeders. Speed limits, must therefore, be self enforcing.

As reported in MTR's # 149 and 158, and advocated by groups like the Neighborhood Streets Network and Transportation Alternatives, several techniques including retiming traffic signals, creating mini-traffic circles, installing speed humps and bumps, and placing neckdowns at street entrances would be more effective than relying of police enforcement.