City Adds 'Slow Zone' to Auburndale

The city is adding 13 new "slow zones" to neighborhoods across the five boroughs, including one in Auburndale and three others in Queens.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the city's Department of Transportation announced the expansion of the Neighborhood Slow Zone program on Monday.

In a designated "slow zone," the speed limit is reduced from 30 miles per hour to 20 milers per hour. The zones, which are residential communities, also include traffic calming measures to reduce speeding.

In northeast Queens, a "slow zone" has been added to Auburndale, while others in the borough have been established in Elmhurst, Jackson Heights and Corona.

"We are continuing our assault on the number one traffic killer - speeding," the mayor said during a press conference yesterday. "We've seen success already where we have installed 'slow zones' and we expect safety will improve as speeding is reduced in these communities."

The zones are marked by a blue gateway at all streets entering the area as well as signs noting the 20-mile-per-hour speed limit. Speed bumps are also being added in the zones.

The communities were picked based on crash rates, community support, the number of schools in the area, senior and daycare centers and subway stations.

Patch wants to ask its readers: Are there any areas of Bayside where you'd like to see a "slow zone" implemented? If so, please let us know in the comment section provided below.