Mayor Bill de Blasio, at podium, joined Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, second from right, and others in Woodside in January to announce his Vision Zero initiative. The City Council just passed a sweeping package of bills as part of the Vision Zero plan, which aims to dramatically reduce pedestrian deaths. File Photo
The City Council approved an 11-bill package last Thursday that is part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s “Vision Zero” program that aims to dramatically decrease traffic-related fatalities over the next decade.
Lauded by the mayor and numerous Queens lawmakers, the approved legislation includes requirements for the city Department of Transportation to repair traffic signals within 24 hours of being notified of that the signal is not operational, the creation of seven 20 miles per hour neighborhood slow zones, and the outlawing of “stunt behavior” from drivers.
“From curbing speeding to holding dangerous drivers accountable, these bills are a major step forward for our Vision Zero initiative,” de Blasio in a prepared statement. “They will protect our families and make our neighborhoods safer.”
The package of bills included a number sponsored by Queens legislators, including one by Councilman Rory Lancman (D-Fresh Meadows) that requires the city Department of Transportation to repair missing or damaged traffic signals within one day of a malfunction being flagged. The bill would allow the DOT to implement alternative measures to control traffic if the repair is expected to take longer than 24 hours.
Councilman David Greenfield (D-Brooklyn) sponsored legislation that creates at least seven 20 mph neighborhood slow zones that would contain traffic-calming measures, such as speed humps. The bill also requires the DOT to establish speed zones with speed limits of 15 to 20 miles per hour at 50 school locations each year.
“Speed kills,” Greenfield said in a prepared statement. “The sad fact is that New York City is plagued with preventable traffic fatalities and the Council is taking the common sense steps to put an end to these senseless losses.”
A bill sponsored by Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez (D-Manhattan) outlaws “stunt behavior” by motorists, such as wheelies, donuts, burnouts, and revving. A first violation would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $600. A second violation committed within 10 years would result in up to 120 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
Another piece of the package, a bill sponsored by Councilman Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens), paves the way for drivers to be fined for yielding to pedestrians or bicyclists who have the right of way.
“With this legislation, it is my hope that streets will be safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, bringing our city one step closer to reaching Vision Zero’s goal of eliminating traffic fatalities,” Weprin said.
Alongside the 11 bills, the Council also passed six resolutions – two of which were sponsored by Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village). One of the resolutions calls upon the state Legislature to amend state law to increase the criminal penalty for reckless driving when serious physical injury or death results from the driving. The other resolution urges the state Legislature to remedy several deficiencies in the law regarding leaving the scene of an accident and supports state legislation that would increase various penalties associated with the offense of leaving the scene of an accident without reporting the accident.
“This comprehensive legislative package will make our streets safer and save countless lives,” Crowley said. “Through stricter traffic regulations and enforcement, New Yorkers will think twice before breaking the rules.”
By Anna Gustafson
