State Senators and Assemblymembers Join With Safe Streets Advocates to Urge Albany Lawmakers to Address Traffic Violence Crisis by Passing Full SAFE Streets Act this Session
NHTSA estimated 12% more traffic fatalities in New York State in 2020 compared to 2019.
Governor Kathy Hochul endorsed giving New York City control over its speed limits in her State of the State address.
ALBANY, NY — With this year’s legislative session underway, Senators Kennedy, Hoylman-Sigal, Ramos, Gonzalez, and Gounardes and Assemblymembers Fahy, Rosenthal, Rivera, Gonzalez-Rojas, Epstein, Mamdani, and Gallagher rallied with members of the NYS Safe Streets Coalition, including members of Families for Safe Streets, Transportation Alternatives, American Heart Association, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, and other members of the NYS Safe Streets Coalition for passage of the SAFE Streets Act — a lifesaving package of six bills to make streets across the state safe for all who use them.
The bills include measures to:
Allow New York City to control 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 and other features in new cars.
Support those personally impacted by guaranteeing basic legal rights to crash victims and their loved ones.
Protect vulnerable people on our roads by requiring drivers to pass bike riders at a safe distance of at least three feet.
In her State of the State address, Governor Kathy Hochul committed her support to passing Sammy’s Law, which would give New York City the authority to set lower speed limits without having to ask Albany for support.
“Far too many families in New York State have to endure the pain that traffic violence brings. I know this pain all too well. My daughter Doniqueca was killed when she was hit by a car as she stood on the sidewalk one block from our home. She should still be here today and need to do everything we can to make sure no other family experiences the horror that ours has of losing a loved one to traffic violence,” said Families for Safe Streets member Julianne Williams. “As this year’s state legislative session begins, we urge our leaders in Albany to pass the full SAFE Streets Act. Traffic violence is a public health crisis that demands the full attention of our elected officials. We look forward to working with lawmakers this session to ensure the full package passes without delay.”
Three bills from last year’s safe streets passage became law. These measures included the Complete Streets Funding bill, a bill that will allow municipalities to lower speed limits to 25 mph, and one requiring additional driver’s education instruction on interacting with vulnerable road users.
What elected officials are saying:
"Investment in New York's infrastructure must be made intentionally and with the development of safer streets at the forefront of decision-making," said Senator Tim Kennedy, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. "While we have made significant progress in prioritizing the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, we still have work to do to ensure New York's streets are truly strengthened for all roadway users. I'm proud to sponsor legislation within the Act, and I fully believe in the purpose and impact of these reforms."
“Last year, the city recorded the highest number of child traffic fatalities since the start of Vision Zero,” said Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal. “I thank Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets for continuing to sound the alarm and lead the way on street safety. We’ve made great progress in the last several years thanks to the leadership in the Senate and Assembly. This legislative session, we must continue our work together by aiming to pass the entire SAFE Streets package, which I’m proud includes three of my bills — Sammy’s Law, the Vehicle Safety Standards Act, and the Crash Victims Bill of Rights.”
"We are almost ten years into our Vision Zero project, and we have made significant progress — but we still have so much further to go to truly make our streets safe. We lost 255 of New Yorkers last year: 255 too many. We can't afford to wait another new year: we need to double down on our commitment to Vision Zero and pass the SAFE Streets Act now,” said Senator Andrew Gounardes.
“New York City is dealing with a new epidemic of traffic violence, and its one that is not only putting pedestrians at risk, but also workers who rely on safe streets and quality infrastructure to feed their families. My constituents need the legislature to pass the SAFE Streets Act in its entirety to calm the dangers in the major traffic arteries that run throuh the 13th Senate Distict,” said State Senator Jessica Ramos.
"Traffic violence has taken the lives of far too many loved ones and hurt countless families. For the safety of our communities, 2023 must be the year that we pass the full SAFE Streets Act," said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal. "More children were killed by reckless driving in 2022 than in any year since Vision Zero began in 2014, underscoring the need for greater traffic safety laws. As the proud sponsor of Sammy's Law, legislation that allows New York City to lower its own speed limits, I look forward to working with Families for Safe Streets, Transportation Alternatives and the rest of the NYS Safe Streets Coalition to pass this package of bills without delay."
Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, “As elected officials, our primary responsibility is to protect our constituents and to provide safeguards where possible that can tangibly reduce hazards within our community. The Complete Streets Maintenance bill (A7782) will continue and expand New York State’s efforts in improving street safety for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.”
“We’re witnessing a disturbing increase in traffic fatalities across New York—it’s a public health crisis we can’t ignore. We have tools to prevent more senseless tragedies and now we need to use them. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues, Families for Safe Streets, and Transportation Alternatives in our fight to end traffic violence,” said Assemblymember Harvey Epstein.
What the NYS Safe Streets Coalition is saying:
“New Yorkers need bold action from their lawmakers this year to address the crisis of traffic violence on our streets,” said Danny Harris, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “The SAFE Streets Act contains proven measures to save lives. 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 pass the full SAFE Streets Act this session and save lives.”
"These life-saving changes to our street should be a top priority for Albany lawmakers, not just advocates. Our leaders have the power to make every New Yorker safer, happier, and healthier; championing every bill in the SAFE Streets Act is a good start. We made progress last year by passing a few safe streets bills, but more must be done. We look forward to working with our leaders as allies and setting New York State on a path toward true livability," said Sara Lind, Chief Strategy Officer at Open Plans.
“Dangerous roads and traffic tragedies devastate New Yorkers. From humble hamlets to magnificent cities, communities drive industries, tourism, legendary schools and we weather every commute,” said Cindy Brown, Executive Director of the New York Coalition for Transportation Safety. “For ALL of us at home in New York, the SAFE Streets Act is essential to reducing the injury and death of any and every loved one.”
“Our state legislators have a responsibility to ensure that all New Yorkers can safely access the outdoors and walk, bike, roll, or otherwise travel in and between communities. With this package of bills, we look forward to seeing New York prioritize investment in safe streets,” said Dylan Carey, Greenway Program Director for Parks & Trails New York.
“We fought to lower the speed limit in New York City after my son was killed by a speeding driver so no other family would have to endure this pain. Last year, we fought to allow communities across New York State to set lower speed limits. This year, we’ll fight to finally give New York City control over its own speed limits by passing Sammy’s Law,” said Amy Cohen, co-founder of Families for Safe Street. “We know how to prevent crashes and save lives. Our leaders in Albany have the power to take action this session and lead the nation on street safety.”
“If we are serious about our state’s climate goals and our efforts to improve public health, then we must take action now to make it safer and easier to walk, bike, and roll to get where we’re going,” said Justin Booth, Executive Director of GObike Buffalo. “These bills will incentivize cities, towns, and villages across the state to build and maintain Complete Streets road designs that don’t just protect our most vulnerable road users, but also create economic and environmental resilience in our communities.”
“If walking for 30 minutes or cycling for 20 minutes on most days reduces mortality risk by at least 10%. If the numbers are matched with the mortality rates due to high rates of speed, non redesigned streets, etc., the rates of mortality increase at least 10 times. We all need safer routes to connect neighborhoods, safer transport for cylists, walkers and runners,” said Anika Flagg, Lead Organizer for Slow Roll Syracuse & NYS Coordinator for Ride of Silence.
“The SAFE Streets Act will not only make our roads safer but will make our air cleaner and our communities healthier by giving cyclists and pedestrians greater access to our streets. Passing this life-saving bill package is a crucial step in the fight against climate change and ensuring a healthy future for communities across New York State,” said Jaqi Cohen, Director of Climate and Equity Policy at Tri-State Transportation Campaign.
"The bills in the Safe Streets Act will make the streets in our state safer for not only cyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users but for motorists as well. The bills, by supporting and encouraging Active Transportation will make our communities greener and improve the health of our citizens. The creation of safer routes connecting neighborhoods will serve to enhance quality of lives across the state," said Mark Robbins, Advocacy Coordinator for the Rochester Bicycling Club.
"Everyone should feel safe as they walk, bike, roll, or drive to work, school, or the grocery store. These laws are common-sense measures that will make our streets safer for everyone,” said Jackie Gonzales of Walkable Albany.
