This morning, NYCDOT placed a variable message “skeleton” board on eastbound Park Avenue near Ryerson Street. The electronic sign alternates between two messages: the road’s speed limit and a digital skeleton image next to the words “Slow Down.” The message board will stay on Park Avenue for about one month, before being moved to another location.

According to DOT, a pedestrian struck at 40 mph is 3.5 times more likely to be killed than one struck at 30 mph. Furthermore, speeding was the top contributing factor of traffic fatalities in 2012.

The Park Avenue Safety Plan was published in the summer of 2012, after a multi-year community-led effort. Stay tuned for more information.