May Update: Where the Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act Currently Stands

 This is it: We’re down to the final weeks of the legislative session! Please see a CVRSA update below and consider joining us for some phone banking next Wednesday during lunchtime. We are counting on you to help bring these bills across the finish line. Let us know if you have any questions, suggestions or comments! 

CVRSA UPDATE 

The Crash Victim Rights & Safety Act, a package of eight life-saving bills, would expand funding for complete streets and eliminate restrictions on where they can be built. It would allow cities to set speed limits based on location conditions and concerns, rather than obscure, outdated state codes. It would help ensure those injured in car crashes have access to police reports and the ability to file a victim impact statement. It would improve driver education. 

We wanted to give you an update on where things stand as we head into the home stretch. Now is the time for a BIG PUSH if we want to see progress on this issue in New York State. The legislative session ends the first week of June so time is running out.  

Three bills passed the full Senate earlier this week, which is great news. These bills would establish 3-feet as the minimum safe distance when passing a bicyclist, improve driver’s education and promote the inclusion of complete streets elements when streets undergo routine maintenance. But we need to keep the pressure on until they pass the full Assembly. 

Here’s where all the bills stand now: 

Safe Speed Limits  

Last week, the Statewide Speed Limit bill sponsored by Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale), that would allow municipalities to set speed limits as low as 25 miles per hour, was passed unanimously by the Assembly Transportation Committee. It will go through the Rules Committee before — we hope — being brought to the floor for a vote. We are still waiting for the Senate Transportation Committee to pass the bill as well.  

The New York City Council is expected to pass a “home rule message” on Sammy’s Law this Thursday. This is a necessary step before the NYS legislature can vote on the bill. Sammy’s Law will allow NYC to lower its speed limit. 

Complete Streets 

There are THREE measures proposed that would promote complete streets in New York State as part of CVRSA. We’ll start with the good news. A measure that would increase the share of state funding provided to projects that use complete streets principles has passed out of the Assembly Transportation Committee but will also have to be approved by the Ways and Means Committee before it can be brought up for a floor vote. Another bill that would increase the state share of funding for complete streets maintenance passed the full Senate as indicated above but is still at square one in the Assembly. Big props to sponsors Senator Timothy Kennedy and Assembly Member Patricia Fahy. Finally the Complete Streets Application bill, that would make adding complete streets elements a requirement for federal or state funded projects, has yet to be brought for a vote at the committee level by either the House or Senate.  

Crash Victims Bill of Rights 

This bill, which would simply require that crash victims be provided timely access to police reports and allow them the opportunity to submit a victim impact statement before hearings in their case, is — frustratingly — wallowing in committee in both the Senate and Assembly, waiting to be brought up for a vote.  

Safe Passage Bill 

The Safe Passage Bill, requiring motorists to give three feet distance when passing cyclists, passed the Senate but unfortunately still hasn’t been brought up for a committee vote in the Assembly. 

Better Drivers Education  

The DMV Driver Education bill sponsored by Emily Gallagher (D-Greenpoint) PASSED out of the Assembly Transportation Committee and the full Assembly unanimously. It would require instruction in bike and pedestrian safety during pre-licensing drivers education. The companion bill for this legislation has passed the full Senate thanks to Senator Andrew Gounardes [sponsor] and Senator Timothy Kennedy [committee chair]. Woot!