LIBERTY, NY — The Village of Liberty Police Department is advising motorists of a change to the speed limit on most Village streets, reducing the maximum speed from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. The change follows the Village Board's unanimous adoption of Local Law No. 4 of 2026 on July 16, 2026, amending Chapter 80 of the Village Code.

The reduction was prompted in part by concerns raised by community members to the Village Board regarding speeding vehicles and traffic safety on residential streets. In response to these concerns, the Village Board took action to lower the speed limit as part of an effort to improve roadway safety, particularly for pedestrians, bicyclists, and children.

The new 25 MPH speed limit will apply all Village streets with a few exceptions. The change does not affect state and county roadways with separately established speed limits, including designated portions of New York State Routes 52 and 55 and Sullivan Avenue, which will remain at the current posted speed limit. Additionally, motorists are reminded that the existing 20 MPH school zone speed limits on Main Street and Buckley Street remain unchanged. Drivers should continue to observe all posted speed limits throughout the Village.

The Village of Liberty joins a growing number of municipalities across New York State that have reduced their speed limits to 25 MPH in an effort to improve public safety. Communities including the cities of Kingston, Albany, and Hudson have implemented similar reductions in recent years.

Research has consistently demonstrated that even relatively small reductions in vehicle speed can significantly reduce the likelihood of serious injury or death when a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle. According to research published by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling approximately 23 MPH faces a 25% risk of severe injury, compared to a 50% risk at approximately 31 MPH. Lower vehicle speeds also provide motorists with additional time to recognize hazards, react, and stop their vehicles to avoid collisions.

To give motorists time to adjust to the new speed limit, the Village of Liberty Police Department will conduct a public education period from November 1st through November 15th, 2026. During this time, officers will conduct traffic stops for violations of the new 25 MPH speed limit and provide motorists with educational materials explaining the change and its importance to public safety.

Beginning November 16th, 2026, officers will transition to enforcement of the new speed limit. As with all traffic violations, officers will continue to exercise discretion and may issue warnings when appropriate. Enforcement of all other existing traffic laws and speed limits will continue throughout the educational period.

Chief of Police Steven D’Agata stated, "One of the most frequent concerns we hear from residents involves vehicles traveling too fast through their neighborhoods, particularly in areas where children are playing, pedestrians are walking, and families are crossing streets. The Village Board listened to those concerns and took meaningful action to address them. While a reduction of five miles per hour may not seem significant, the research is clear that even small reductions in vehicle speed can make a substantial difference in the severity of a collision and the likelihood of someone being seriously injured or killed.

Our goal is not to issue more traffic tickets. Our goal is to make our streets safer for everyone who lives, works, and travels through our community. That is why we are beginning with an educational period to give motorists an opportunity to become familiar with the new speed limits before transitioning to enforcement. We are asking drivers to be mindful of their speed, particularly on residential streets and near our schools, and to recognize that arriving at their destination a few seconds sooner is never worth putting someone's life at risk."

The Village of Liberty Police Department encourages all motorists to pay close attention to posted speed limit signs, remain alert for pedestrians and bicyclists, and help make the Village a safer community for everyone.