Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Wednesday, November 14, 2001
Release # 360-01

Contact: Sunny Mindel / Sid Dinsay 212-788-2958
  Tom Antenen (DCPI) 212-374-6700
  Tom Cocola (DOT) 212-442-7033


MAYOR GIULIANI ANNOUNCES HOLIDAY TRAFFIC CONTROL PLAN

Declares Zero-Tolerance For Drivers Who Block the Box and Double Park;
Citywide Crackdown to Begin November 16th


Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced that the City's Holiday Traffic Control Plan, which in years past successfully helped to cut down congestion in the City, will be implemented again during the upcoming holiday season. Joining the Mayor were Chief of the Department Joseph Esposito of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Iris Weinshall.

Mayor Giuliani said, "This holiday season we again expect a record number of visitors to come to New York City. And while we strongly encourage the use of mass transit, we want to make our streets as safe as possible for pedestrians and motorists. That is why we are again implementing our Holiday Traffic Control Plan, which proved so successful last year. The City will have zero tolerance for drivers who block intersections or park illegally, and there will be more cops and traffic agents making sure traffic rules are followed. Our message is the same as last year: if you think you can break the law, think again."

The comprehensive strategy comprises continuing enforcement programs by the NYPD and traffic mitigation initiatives by DOT, including those recently introduced in the weeks following the events of September 11th. The Holiday Traffic Control Plan will go into effect November 16, 2001 and will end January 2, 2002.

Reminder: The Brooklyn Battery Tunnel is still closed to Manhattan-bound traffic, except express buses and emergency personnel.

STREET RESTRICTIONS IN LOWER MANHATTAN:

Chief of the Department Esposito said, "When the NYPD first introduced `Don't Block the Box', `Operation Move-Along' and other initiatives, our aim was to make the streets of New York as safe as possible for citizens and visitors alike. We have proven that these traffic mitigation initiatives have worked, and will continue to employ them to make sure that the greatest City in the world is also the safest."

DOT Commissioner Weinshall said, "The holiday season will bring more tourists to see the Rockefeller Christmas tree; shoppers at our malls; and people visiting loved ones and friends. Our aim at DOT is to make sure their holiday is the safest possible, and with the public's cooperation, we will realize our goal."

Additional information can be found at DOT'S website at www.nyc.gov/calldot by calling the DOT hotline at 212/718-CALLDOT (225-5368). DOT will also be working with the Shadow Traffic communications network, which serves 87 radio stations in the tri-state area, to share information on traffic conditions.

www.nyc.gov