U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley, center, joined area leaders Monday to announce legislation that would bring federal resources to areas where there have been an increase in pedestrian fatalities or injuries. Photo courtesy U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley’s Office
Queens lawmakers have kept busy drafting bills that they say would help Mayor Bill de Blasio’s vision of safer city streets become a reality.
U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Queens, Bronx) joined with safety advocates and elected officials Monday morning to push for the Pedestrian Fatalities Reduction Act of 2014, which would force the state to address traffic-related injuries. The Queens congressman said his home borough was a great place to start since it has historically ranked first, or at the top of all fatal accidents throughout the city over recent years.
Under current law, states are only required to file a Strategic Highway Safety Plan to the Federal Highway Administration in order to access federal dollars. But the problem, Crowley said, lies in the fact that those plans are not required to include statistics on pedestrian injuries and fatalities.
Not only would Crowley’s legislation make such information mandatory in states’ safety plans, but it would also require states to articulate exactly how they planned on addressing any increases in traffic-related incidents at both the state and county levels, he said.
“The recent string in traffic-related deaths in and around Queens demands our immediate attention to find solutions,” the congressman said. “That’s why I am introducing a bill that requires states to do just that. We need to ensure the federal highway safety funds at their disposal are put toward achieving our goal of reducing pedestrian fatalities to zero. It’s time to put an end to the tragedy on our streets.”
Crowley joined with safety advocates not far from where an 11-year-old boy was fatally struck while crossing Northern Boulevard on his way to school in Jackson Heights. The busy boulevard was only one of several transportation hubs in the borough in desperate need of reform, the congressman said.
Paul Steely White, executive director of Transportation Alternatives, has been working closely with lawmakers and community organizations to make the city’s streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. His name has been in the mix much more since de Blasio unrolled his Vision Zero initiative, which seeks to reduce incidents to zero within the next decade.
“The congressman is already known for his leadership on safe streets. He worked with community partners like the Jackson Heights Green Alliance to help create Diversity Plaza and the 78th Street Plaza, along with bike lanes for his district,” White said. “This new legislation will provide crucial support to Mayor de Blasio’s Vision Zero initiative to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on New York City’s streets.”
Makes Queens Safer advocate Cristina Furlong stood beside Crowley as he plugged his latest legislation, praising the politician for making pedestrian safety a priority. She said the congressman has been active in her cause by hosting multiple pedestrian safety town halls and drafting key legislation on the matter.
“For too long, the people of New York City have seen repeated injuries in areas that have been proven to be dangerous and high risk,” she said. “With the passing of this legislation, New York will be able to provide the resources necessary to transform our dangerous streets.”
Not far from Jackson Heights, state Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing) also celebrated her legislative body’s passing of crucial Vision Zero legislation that would increase license suspension penalties for drivers illegally passing stopped school buses.
“Passing this bill is one step towards realizing Vision Zero and to making our communities safer for drivers and pedestrians alike,” she said.
By Phil Corso
