State Senators Hoylman-Sigal and Gounardes alongside Assembly Members Rosenthal, Epstein, Mamdani, Mitaynes, Gallagher, Fahy, and Carroll Join With Advocates to Urge Passage of SAFE Streets Package
Albany passed zero significant street safety bills last year.
Traffic violence killed 787 people across New York State in 2023.
ALBANY, NY — With this year’s legislative session underway, State Senators Hoylman-Sigal and Gounardes alongside Assembly Members Rosenthal, Epstein, Mamdani, Mitaynes, Gallagher, Fahy, and Carroll rallied with members of the NYS Safe Streets Coalition, including members of Families for Safe Streets, Transportation Alternatives, the New York Bicycling Coalition, AARP-NY, Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council, Open Plans, Albany Bicycle Coalition, Parks and Trails New York, Capital Streets, Reconnect Rochester, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, and other members of the NYS Safe Streets Coalition, to call on Albany to pass the SAFE Streets Package – six bills that would bring safe streets improvements to communities across the state.
The bills include measures to:
Allow New York City to set its own speed limits through Sammy’s Law.
Create complete streets by incentivizing safe streets elements in projects receiving state or federal funding and when streets are being resurfaced.
Mandate safe vehicles by requiring intelligent speed assistance technology for repeat offenders.
Prioritize cyclist safety by allowing bike riders to treat stop lights as stop signs and stop signs as yields.
Protect vulnerable people on our roads by requiring drivers to pass bike riders and pedestrians at a safe distance of at least three feet.
Fund complete streets to design and construct roadways that accommodate everyone, including people walking, biking, and taking transit.
“My son was only 13 years old when he was struck and killed by a truck while riding his bike in Brooklyn. I miss him every day. New York State can do so much more to protect everyone from traffic violence on our streets — and our elected leaders can start by passing the SAFE Streets Package,” said Families for Safe Streets member Margarita Flores. “Last year, Albany passed zero statewide street safety bills. These losses are preventable, but New York is not taking steps to prevent them. It’s past time for Albany to treat traffic violence like a public health crisis and pass the SAFE Streets Package without delay.”
Governor Kathy Hochul included Sammy’s Law, which would give New York City the authority to set lower speed limits without having to ask Albany for approval, in this year’s proposed executive budget. Last year, after Sammy’s Law passed the State Senate with supermajority support and received a City Council home rule message, the Assembly never held a vote on the bill.
Sammy’s Law is named for Sammy Cohen Eckstein, a 12-year-old boy killed by a speeding driver in Brooklyn in 2013 just a few blocks from his home. Since his tragic and preventable death, more than 2,400 people, including 106 children, have been killed in traffic violence in New York City.
This year, Sammy’s Law includes specific language to target residential streets. This is similar language to what was adopted by Seattle, which reduced serious crashes and fatalities by 17%. The legislation also includes a robust education program and community engagement process before any changes to speed limits are made.
What elected officials are saying:
State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, “Last year there were over 250 traffic related deaths in New York City, a completely unacceptable number. No one should be putting their life at risk just by taking a walk down the street. It’s time we protect our fellow New Yorkers and pass the SAFE Streets package, which includes three of my bills: Sammy’s Law (S.2422), the Vehicle Safety Standards Act (S.1952) , and the Crash Victims Bill of Rights (S6278). These commonsense laws will make a world of difference to New Yorkers by allowing the City to set slower speed limits to protect our kids, ensuring that new vehicles sold in New York State have safety features that are proven to reduce the chances of a crash, and empowering victims that are hit to hold reckless drivers accountable in court. Thank you to the NYS Safe Streets Coalition, AARP-NY, Consumer Reports, and my friend Assembly Member Rosenthal for your continued efforts to keep the streets of New York safe for all to enjoy.”
"We’re here with a simple message: traveling on New York’s streets should not mean putting your life at risk," said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. "New Yorkers deserve streets that put people–and safety–first. We know speed plays a major role in traffic fatalities. My bill to require mandatory speed limiters for repeatedly reckless drivers is a simple, common-sense approach to putting an end to behavior that puts our families' safety at risk. The best time to pass this life-saving package of bills was years ago. The second-best time is now."
“Pedestrians, wheelchair users, bicyclists, and motorists all need to be safe on New York's streets. This common sense legislation provides our vulnerable road users with a buffer of at least three feet, and directs motorists to approach with caution. We need this legislation to reduce serious injuries and save lives across the state. New York State is one of only a few states that does not already provide this protection for our residents, and this legislation cannot be enacted soon enough," said State Senator Peter Harckham.
“Bicycles are unlike cars and trucks and should not be held to the same traffic rules. This is especially true at intersections where cyclists are most vulnerable to collisions. My Idaho Stop Bill allows cyclists to move cautiously through the intersection without stopping, which is safer for all roadway users. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration supports Idaho Stop Laws because they reduce fatalities significantly. I hope to work with my colleagues in the Senate Majority and with Assembly Member Fahy to move this legislation and help save lives in New York State,” said State Senator Rachel May.
“I am raising two children in New York City, so the safety of our streets is deeply personal. Too many of my neighbors are still grieving deaths that were entirely preventable,” said State Senator Jessica Ramos (D/WF-Queens). “Children, seniors, workers and small businesses need Albany to pass these simple, common-sense measures this session.”
"A speeding vehicle can hit and kill a pedestrian in the blink of an eye," said Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan), Sponsor of Sammy's Law. "However, we have the ability to prevent needless suffering and loss of life by using every single tool at our disposal to lower our speed limits, which is why it is imperative that we pass Sammy's Law in the budget. I am proud to sponsor this critical, lifesaving measure in the New York State Assembly, and on behalf of every family that has ever lost a loved one to traffic violence, I will not let up fighting for its passage this session."
“We cannot justify continued inaction on traffic violence: 131 pedestrians and cyclists were killed on New York City streets last year. These traffic deaths are often called “accidents”, but they aren’t - they are the inevitable result of policy and street design that prioritize the movement of cars over the safety of New Yorkers. The SAFE streets plan presents the policy and infrastructure changes that will make our streets safer. We must ensure the passage of this plan in the Legislature this year,” said Assembly Member Zohran K. Mamdani.
“We must do more to ensure that pedestrians are safe on city streets and stop the rise in car-related fatalities. It’s mind-boggling that we have solutions to prevent traffic crashes and deaths and are not implementing them with full force. The State legislature should pass the SAFE Streets Package, which includes crucial bills such as Sammy's Law and Speed Limits for Repeat Offenders. Thanks to TransAlt, Families for Safe Streets, and New York State Safe Streets Coalition for fighting for street safety measures,” said Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon.
“Unfortunately, in recent years, my district has experienced an uptick in the number of car accidents that have resulted in critical injuries and death for pedestrians and bicyclists. One way we can prevent these tragedies from occurring is to adopt legislation establishing a three feet minimum passing distance that protects pedestrians, wheelchair users and cyclists. This concept has already been enacted by 40 states and New York should follow suit,” said Assembly Member Phil Steck.
“Letting the City lower its speed limits is a commonsense measure that will save lives. I remain committed to working with my colleagues in government, advocates, and families to pass Sammy’s Law in 2024,” said Assembly Member Robert Carroll.
Assembly Member Jon D. Rivera said, “This package of Complete Streets legislation will produce a substantial improvement in street safety for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists by setting a standard for road resurfacing and preservation. Pedestrian safety is not just a matter of policy; it’s a reflection of our commitment to the fundamental right of every individual to move safely through their neighborhood. By investing in safer streets, we invest in the vitality of our community, fostering an environment where everyone can walk and traverse our cities with peace of mind.”
"I stand united with my colleagues and advocates in our unwavering commitment to safer streets across New York State. This landmark legislation is a critical step in ensuring that our roads are inclusive and secure for all, from our pedestrians to cyclists. Together, let's champion a future where the safety of every New Yorker is a priority on our streets,” said Assembly Member Steven Raga.
What advocates are saying:
“After Albany took no action last year, New Yorkers need their lawmakers to address the crisis of traffic violence on our streets,” said Danny Harris, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “The SAFE Streets Package contains proven measures to save lives across New York State. From finally giving New York City the authority to control its own speed limits to implementing proven streets safety measures on road redesigns, Albany must stop delaying and pass the full SAFE Streets Package this year.”
“We strongly support the SAFE Streets Package, especially Sammy's Law, which would allow New York City the option to reduce speed limits on residential streets to 20 MPH, and increased funding for Complete Streets projects, which help redesign streets to safely accommodate all users,“ said Corey Hannigan, the Active Transportation Program Manager at Tri-State Transportation Campaign. “We say enough is enough. 20 is plenty in NYC's residential neighborhoods. And statewide, streets should be complete. We call on our electeds to put these items on the budget and start bringing an end to this totally preventable carnage on our streets.”
"Our members in communities across the state are calling for New York to protect pedestrians, wheelchair users and cyclists by setting a defined passing distance of three feet. This is common sense and common courtesy. It's time for NYS to catch up with the majority of states including our neighbors in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and protect our most vulnerable road users. This change would not only protect our most vulnerable road users, but it would also move New York into the top ten bike friendly states in the country, attracting more cycling tourism, and the economic benefits it brings," said Anne Savage, Executive Director, New York Bicycling Coalition.
“Lower city speed limits work. That fact has been proven before in New York City as well as in other densely populated cities in the nation,” said David McNally, AARP New York’s Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy. “Studies have shown that older New Yorkers are at greater risk when it comes to crossing city streets, and New York City’s population is aging rapidly. Our state leaders must make Sammy’s Law a priority this year to improve safety for pedestrians of all ages.”
“Every year that our state leaders delay passing these bills, hundreds of New Yorkers are killed or injured by traffic violence,” said Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director at Open Plans. “The bills in the SAFE Streets package employ proven solutions to address dangerous streets, by empowering New York City to set its own speed limits and implementing common sense policies to limit reckless, threatening driving. This is urgent. Albany must support the SAFE Streets package and commit to doing whatever it takes to end the disgraceful status quo that encourages traffic violence across New York State.”
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