Public Advocate Williams, TA, NYC Parks, NYC DOT, Elected Officials Join Families for Safe Streets to Honor Crash Victims, Dedicate New Memorial Grove for Traffic Victims at World Day of Remembrance
Memorial Grove for Victims of Traffic Violence is first-of-its-kind memorial in New York City, a commitment made by Mayor Adams at last year’s World Day of Remembrance
Crashes have killed 221 people in New York City this year — 22% more than 2018, the safest year under Vision Zero
BROOKLYN, NY — Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue, city and state elections officials, and representatives from Transportation Alternatives joined with Families for Safe Streets members Sunday at Lincoln Terrace/Arthur Somers Park in Brooklyn for World Day of Remembrance to honor the 221 people who have been killed and the thousands injured in traffic violence this year in New York City.
Today’s World Day of Remembrance — one of more than 60 events happening around the country today — included the dedication of the new Memorial Grove for Victims of Traffic Violence, a living tribute to the thousands of loved ones killed or injured in traffic crashes. The Memorial Grove fulfills Mayor Adams’ commitment at last year’s World Day of Remembrance to build a first-of-its-kind memorial for traffic violence victims in New York City.
“Two years ago, my father Jerry Spriggs was killed by a driver in a hit-and-run crash in the Bronx. My father was a kind and thoughtful person who should still be here with us today doing the things he loved,” said Families for Safe Streets member Monique Williams. “Today, we call on our leaders to recommit to implementing solutions that prevent crashes and protect all New Yorkers. With investments in Vision Zero and the passage of the SAFE Streets Act, we can save lives and protect all New Yorkers from traffic violence.”
“For every New Yorker who has lost a loved one to traffic violence, the Memorial Grove says that this entire city stands with you,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “I was proud to support this memorial as borough president, and I’m even prouder to see it come to fruition as mayor. As we honor those we’ve lost, we must be as clear as ever: My administration has zero tolerance for traffic violence.”
“On this World Day of Remembrance, we honor both the traffic victims who lost their lives and those who were injured this year and all previous years,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “I commend Mayor Adams for establishing this first-of-its-kind memorial in our city and for those pushing to make our streets safer. The bottom line is that we must do more to protect all New Yorkers from traffic violence. There are several federal funding pots available to support road safety, including a new program—Safe Streets for All—I negotiated into the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides $5 billion over five years to fund the creation of safety-action plans or the implementation of safety action plan features. With critical road safety investments, we can prevent these tragedies from happening in the first place.”
Families for Safe Streets members also unveiled their legislative agenda for 2023. The SAFE Streets (Streets Are For Everyone) Act — previously known as the Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act — includes Sammy’s Law, which would allow the City of New York to set lower, safer speed limits.
Traffic fatalities in 2022 remain above pre-pandemic levels, according to a recent analysis of Vision Zero data from Transportation Alternatives. So far in 2022, crashes have killed 221 people in New York City. Traffic violence has killed 16 children under 18 this year — at least 23% higher than any full year under Vision Zero and five more children than were killed in all of 2021.
In the Bronx, 53 people have been killed in crashes this year. During the first nine months of 2022, one in four fatalities was in the Bronx. More than two-thirds of these crashes occurred in just five City Council districts in the Bronx, which all have fatality rates well above the citywide average, according to Spatial Equity NYC.
“Traffic violence is not normal. 217 deaths on our city streets is not normal. Each death is devastating, and a heartbreaking reminder of the work that must be done to get Vision Zero back on track,” said Amy Cohen, co-founder of Families for Safe Streets. “We know how to prevent traffic violence. Albany must pass the full SAFE Streets Act this year, a common-sense package of bills to confront traffic violence across our state, including Sammy’s Law which is named after my 12-year-old son and will allow safer speed limits in New York City.”
“Trees clean our air, they make our city more livable, and in difficult times New Yorkers naturally gravitate to our greenspaces for comfort,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “Parks was proud to plant 21 new trees in Lincoln Terrace Park as a living memorial to traffic victims, and we hope that this continues to be a space where families and friends can gather to reflect and heal.”
“We come together to honor and remember the families, friends and neighbors we lost to traffic violence. Each of these deaths was preventable and we need city leaders to act now to protect New Yorkers in every neighborhood from traffic violence,” said Danny Harris, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “The City of New York must complete the requirements of the NYC Streets Plan by the end of the year. Our leaders in Albany must prioritize the passage of the SAFE Streets Act to ensure all New Yorkers in our state are protected from traffic violence. With bold action at the city and state level, we can save lives and get Vision Zero back on track.”
“As this grove now powerfully reminds us, every life lost to traffic violence is an intolerable tragedy. We all grieve individually and collectively for those killed on our roads,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “To counter the epidemic of traffic violence, this administration is investing a historic $900 million to support safe, sustainable, and efficient transportation options to help end the reckless driving we have seen on our streets and across the country. We have exceeded our commitment to keep pedestrians safe by improving more than 1,200 intersections, and we remain on track to hit our marks on our bike-lane hardening initiatives and protected bike lanes. At the same time, we can and will do more to curb traffic violence and make our streets safe for all New Yorkers.”
“One life lost to traffic violence is one too many, and while we can’t bring back these lives, creating tributes can help us keep their memories alive while also demonstrating our commitment to achieve our city’s Vision Zero goals,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “I share my condolences with the families of traffic victims and will continue working to realize a city where no family endures such painful loss.”
“Every New Yorker lost to traffic violence is a preventable tragedy. Today is a chance for us as a community to come together and honor these lost New Yorkers and their loved ones, and to truly recommit to the promise of Vision Zero. Today is a sad reminder that we must urgently prioritize the street safety measures necessary to make Vision Zero a reality,” said Senator Andrew Gounardes.
“We know that transportation is one of the major humanitarian issues in our city. Assembly District 43 has one of the highest reports of safety concerns due to traffic incidents. This is why I began a transportation task force to aide in combating some of the most sensitive and dangerous concerns our city has. I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure our streets are safer and New Yorkers can navigate in their communities with out fear. This past week, I signed onto a letter urging the Governor to support MTA in the next executive budget along side my colleagues in the New York State Assembly. Our safety should not be in question. I offer my sincerest condolences to those who’ve lost their loved ones due to this crisis. Our hearts are with you and we will continue to fight for you,” said Assemblymember Brian Cunningham.
"Across the world, working-class people are the first affected by disproportionate traffic violence. Cases of harm and the loss of community members show how much progress is left to make as we build a safer New York for everyone. That is why I'm grateful to join Families for Safe Streets and the NYC Parks Department in bringing together our neighbors to honor the victims of systemic violence and look toward the future of community safety,” said Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes.
"No one should experience the unimaginable shock and grief of losing a family member, friend or colleague to a traffic-related crash," said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal. "However, as we pause today to honor those who have been killed or seriously injured on the road, let's also remember that these deaths are preventable, and we have the tools at our disposal to prevent the unthinkable from happening. I am the proud new sponsor of Sammy's Law in the Assembly, and I am confident that next session we will honor the lives of those who have been killed, as well as their incredible families, by passing this extraordinarily important bill into law."
“I encourage everyone to pause on Sunday to remember the people who have been seriously injured or killed in traffic crashes. Most of us probably have either been in a serious crash or know someone who has – far too often with deadly outcomes. On this year’s World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, I want to thank our emergency workers who witness the impact of traffic crashes every day. I join the organizers in their commitment to reduce the number of people killed in traffic deaths in New York City and statewide,” said Assemblywoman Latrice Walker.
“As we work for safer streets, it’s important to stop and remember those who won’t see the fruits of our labor.” said Council Member Erik Bottcher. “Simply too many of our fellow New Yorkers have been injured or killed by traffic violence. I’m honored to join Families for Safe Streets, whose courage inspires all of us to work for a better future.”
“Every year in NYC, close to 200 lives are lost to traffic violence. My district in particular continues to have some of the most dangerous street infrastructures in Brooklyn. Far too many people have died from preventable violence caused by reckless drivers,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “True public safety is about ensuring our streets are not only safe to walk, but to bike commute to school and work. Vision Zero must be more than a slogan but a policy prescription and moral compass to guide New York toward a time when avoidable traffic deaths are actually avoided. Today, and every day, we mourn the lives cut short by traffic violence and work toward a better, more caring NYC for all.”
"I have experienced the loss of two students to traffic violence, and those tragedies drive my commitment to working on this issue. On this World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, I am sending love and support for every family member who has lost a loved one to traffic violence. I remain committed to pursuing common-sense policies that will make our streets safe for all so fewer families have to deal with the trauma of unfairly losing a loved one to this violence,” said Council Member Rita Joseph.
“Every year, many New Yorkers become victims of car accidents on our city roads. I stand in solidarity with my colleagues in government and Families for Safe Streets to mark the World of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. We need to do everything possible to make our streets safer and to prevent future tragedies on our roads,” said Council Member Ari Kagan.
"On this World Day of Remembrance, we remind ourselves that if we are going to save lives and protect our children, we must create safer streets. We must calm traffic using speed cameras, curb extensions, and other smart design features. And wherever possible, we must create spaces that are for people and not cars,” said Council Member Shekar Krishnan.
“Today I stand with my colleagues to honor the lives that have been tragically lost and pledge to channel that memory into effective policy that makes our streets safer. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Council to create a more robust Vision Zero and to prevent these devastating casualties from traffic violence,” said Council Member Julie Menin.
“Traffic fatalities and injuries are still too common, despite efforts by government and communities to make streets safer. New York City has an opportunity to lead in safe streets for all — pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. We must dramatically speed up street redesigns and use all of the tools at our disposal to continue to bring safer streets to New York City, including but not limited to piloting and implementing new technology and shared street designs, pedestrianizing open spaces, and increasing bus and bike lane networks,” said Council Member Carlina Rivera.
“We should not fear commuting in any capacity, and we surely should not be losing loved ones to crashes. Our Uptown community has felt this pain deeply, some of those fears reflected in a transportation town hall we held yesterday in the wake of these crashes,” said Council Member Carmen De La Rosa. “Our communities deserve safe streets, and I am committed to continuing the work to protect our New Yorkers from traffic violence.”
“As street safety concerns continue to rise across New York City, we must come together as a community to identify solutions to curb the number of traffic-related fatalities. In my district alone, there have been several traffic fatalities involving people of all ages, pedestrians, and motorists, and enough is enough. Our communities cannot continue to be impacted by traffic violence, and through healthy conversations and community engagement, we will see change. For the families affected by traffic violence, Memorial Grove serves as a place for families to honor their loved ones while bringing awareness to the need for traffic violence advocacy and achieving Vision Zero,” said Council Member Marjorie Velázquez.
“In the past 12 months, reckless drivers caused 5 deaths and 1,167 injuries in my district alone. Our City’s Department of Transportation needs to redesign our streets to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe from traffic violence,” said Council Member Julie Won. “On this World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, we honor those we’ve lost and continue to push for streets that are safe for our community.”
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