Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-Westchester) announced that the Town of North Salem has successfully fought on safety grounds to lower the speed limits for seven Town roads and dirt roads. This successful turn of events followed Assemblyman Buchwald’s introduction of legislation (A.6242) to address these concerns.
“I was pleased to have introduced legislation on this important matter of safety. The Department of Transportation did the right thing, allowing the Town of North Salem to set speed limits to 25 mph on seven roads that the town itself identified as unsafe at current speeds,” said Assemblyman Buchwald. “This ruling is a victory for all Town drivers and residents.”
After Assemblyman Buchwald’s legislation, in conjunction with legislation introduced by Senator Greg Ball, Town officials and the State Department of Transportation had meaningful discussions that ultimately produced this positive resolution. The Town of North Salem has had unpaved roads in places where 30 mph speed limits - the state mandated speed limit - may not be safe, especially as some of the same roads only allow cars to drive 25 mph when they hit the Connecticut border.
“We thank Assemblyman Buchwald for his part in this successful outcome for North Salem residents,” said North Salem Supervisor Warren Lucas. “His legislation, in addition to other important factors, led to the lowering of speed limits in crucial locations, and we’re all safer for it today.”
The Town of North Salem is surrounded by communities that at the local level are able to control their own local speed limits, including Somers to the west, Lewisboro to the south, and municipalities in Connecticut to the east. Town officials are familiar with local roads, conditions, and the safety concerns of their citizens, and are thus well-positioned to determine the most appropriate speed limits on town roads.
