Photo Courtesy of Flickr/Eric Fischer
Introduction 997-A ensures that pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks during the entire display of a countdown clock or flashing hand.
By Michael V. Cusenza
The City Council recently voted to approve legislation extending protections of pedestrians in crosswalks.
Introduction 997-A, sponsored by Public Advocate Letitia James, establishes the right of way for pedestrians while crossing the roadway during various pedestrian control signal phases. Other traffic would be required to yield the right of way to pedestrians when a steady walking person, flashing upraised hand, or flashing upraised hand with a countdown clock is displayed on a pedestrian control signal.
“Nearly every day, someone is injured or killed crossing our streets and it is past time we update our laws to adequately protect pedestrians,” she added. “This common-sense legislation will ensure that countdown clocks accurately portray the time pedestrians have to cross our streets and will ensure that any reckless driver is held accountable for injuring someone crossing legally. Millions of New Yorkers cross our streets every day, and they should always feel safe doing so.”
The bill now helps prosecutors crack down on offenders of the Vision Zero Right of Way law, which, according to NYC Rules, “provides that if a driver’s vehicle causes contact with a pedestrian or bicyclist, and thereby causes physical injury, the driver shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $250, in addition to or as an alternative to the penalties that can be imposed for committing a misdemeanor as provided in the law.”
michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
