VISION ZERO TAKES NEXT STEP WITH MAJOR HEARING ON 22 BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS AIMED AT IMPROVING STREET SAFETY

 

New York, NY--On Wednesday, April 30th, 2014, at 12, noon, NYC Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chair of the Council Committee on Transportation, joined Council colleagues and advocates for safer streets at City Hall to acknowledge the latest action being taken to achieve Mayor Bill de Blasio's Vision Zero plan. This rally took place immediately before the NYC Council Transportation Committee hearing on 22 Vision Zero related bills.

 

Traffic crashes account for more deaths every year than gun violence and are the leading cause of injury related death for children under 14 years old. In 2013 alone, 186 people, including 168 pedestrians have been killed in traffic crashes. Unsafe speeds are cited as a contributing factor in over 3,000 collisions that resulted in injuries or fatalities. As a result, every year many families have been forced to mourn over loved ones who were victims to reckless drivers, many of whom continue not to get the punishment they deserve for their negligence. 

 

The families of victims joined Elected Officials and Advocates to say that more must be done, and will be done, to ensure that that NYC promotes and maintains streets that are safe for all to travel on. 

 

In an effort to prevent future fatalities from vehicle related crashes, the bills discussed in the hearing dealt with issues such as: harsher penalties on drivers that commit safety violations, establishing more school slow zones, publishing aggregate crime data across NYPD and TLC crash reports, conducting studies for street design improvement on areas of high-crash density, and calling on the State to lower the speed limit to 25 MPH, among many others.

 

Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chair of the Committee on Transportation, had this to say: "Today we are taking a concrete step toward achieving the goals of Vision Zero. With these 22 pieces of legislation, the City Council is clearly engaged and focused on street safety, because one more death; one more crash, is one too many. I am proud to say that many of these bills came from our work in communities across the city, taking feedback from New Yorkers and translating it into real and legal measures. We will continue to expand and refine these ideas after today to pass legislation that will yield positive results on our streets. I thank my colleagues for their great input and for making this a priority in New York City."

 

"This hearing is an indication that New Yorkers are demanding action on Vision Zero," said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. "We urge the Council and Mayor de Blasio to move quickly to enact all of these safety improvements, including a bill requiring life-saving side guards on trucks, legislation allowing police to charge drivers who cause crashes by failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and a resolution calling on Albany to allow New York City to lower its default speed limit to 20 mph."

 

"We have suffered unspeakable tragedies, the fabric of our lives has been irreparably torn and we struggle each day to move forward. We have come today to remind you of the urgency of this work.  Please do everything you can to prevent other families from having to suffer as we have suffered, said Amy Cohen, mother of Sammy Cohen-Eckstein, killed in a traffic collision."

 

"The initial execution of the Vision Zero initiative is proving to be effective in increasing street safety while raising awareness among motorists and preventing senseless fatalities.  I look forward to continue working to achieve a comprehensive action plan to address the concerns of New Yorkers, reduce the number of injuries, and make our roads safer," said Council Member Fernando Cabrera.

 

"I strongly support Vision Zero and its related initiatives and legislation," said Council Member Costa Constantinides.  "These bills will improve pedestrian safety on our streets and save lives of New Yorkers. I am especially looking forward to the localized safety planning and taking into account community concerns and needs.  I commend Council Member Rodriguez and the Department of Transportation for their continued leadership moving these life-saving initiatives forward."

 

"The first duty of local government is to save lives and bringing an end to the tragic traffic accidents that take place all too often on our city streets is an essential part of any effective traffic safety strategy," Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson (D-Bronx, 16th) said. "I am proud to join Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez and so many of my colleagues as we move forward with this package of important traffic safety legislation and continue making saving lives a priority through the Vision Zero initiative."

 

"Traffic safety is a vital component of public safety, and I look forward to working with my Council colleagues on measures to make our city safer for pedestrians and for all New Yorkers," said Council Member Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens).

 

"The NYC Council has taken unprecedented action by considering 14 bills and 8 resolutions--in one hearing--to protect the most vulnerable users of our roadways: pedestrians and bicyclists. Though NYC's streets are being transformed and improved police enforcement of traffic violations is underway, there is still significant room for improvement.  We applaud Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Chairman of the Transportation Committee, Ydanis Rodriquez, and members of the NYC Council for swiftly addressing the deadly conditions and data gaps that perpetuate preventable deaths on city streets" says Veronica Vanterpool, executive director, Tri-State Transportation Campaign.

 

"Each year, far too many lives are needlessly lost in New York City due to traffic accidents. Traffic safety must be one of our main priorities, and it will take adjustments from everyone - pedestrians, cyclists and drivers - to achieve our Vision Zero objectives. I have no doubt that with this package of legislation, and with the leadership of Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Trottenberg, we will significantly reduce the number of collisions and be well on our way to reaching our goal of zero traffic fatalities in New York," said Council Member James Vacca, former Chair of the Transportation Committee, who sponsored five pieces of legislation in the package.

 

"Cooper's Law is a response to the tragic and untimely death of nine-year-old Cooper Stock, who was struck and killed by a taxi driver in January. Cooper did everything right: he was holding his dad's hand, he walked in the crosswalk, and he had the light. He died because of a careless taxi driver, who received no punishment under current law. That is unacceptable. We must hold taxi drivers responsible when they kill or seriously injure a pedestrian. It's an outrage that we don't already," said Council Member Helen Rosenthal.

 

"I am very proud to stand alongside Council Member Rodriguez and my fellow colleagues in support of the proposed Vision Zero legislation being discussed today." said Council Member Chaim Deutsch. "I look forward to working with our DOT Commissioners to implement safety devices within my district, especially in locations that have seen tragic accidents, such as Oriental Boulevard and Beaumont Street, where a motorcyclist was recently killed. We cannot afford to lose even one life to vehicular accidents."

 

"The safety of our pedestrians has long been a priority of mine," said Council Member Debi Rose. "Last year, I sponsored legislation that requires the installation of speed humps on streets adjacent to school, and I'm confident it will have a positive impact on our neighborhoods. But, sadly, pedestrians still face danger on all of our roads. In 2013, six pedestrians were killed in car accidents in my home borough of Staten Island. Today, with Vision Zero, we take several more steps -- 22 to be exact -- toward reducing pedestrian deaths in our city to zero. I support Vision Zero and its goals of making our city a safe place for people to drive, bike and walk."