We attended the Vision Zero announcement in front of the victims families on the left and many elected officials including Borough President Gale Brewer on the right, Council member Helen Rosenthal and Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal amongst others. Amongst the 63 recommendations: the administration pledges to fix 50 dangerous intersections a year, and provide better driver education. NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton indicated that 70% of pedestrian deaths and injuries were due to drivers’ carelessness , speeding or refusal to yield and that will be the focus of his enforcement campaign. Both Mayor Bill de Blasio and Commissioner Bill Bratton indicated that enforcement of jaywalking is NOT part of the plan, but still at precincts’ discretion.
Of particular interest was the number of initiatives that include community consultation:
- Develop borough-wide safety plans in close coordination with community boards, community organizations, and the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit
- Conduct intensive street-level outreach and enforcement on safety problems and traffic laws, focused in areas with known crash histories
- Launch a Vision Zero website to gather input from New Yorkers
- Modify precinct-level traffic plans to increase focus on pedestrian safety
For us activists for pedestrian safety, this moment in history is exhilarating. But it is not the time to relax : this plan must become a reality, our voices need to be heard, compete for scarce resources and secure speedy implementation. Join us at this event to learn more and speak up :
Senator Brad Hoylman Presents “Counting down to Vision Zero”
Tuesday , February 25, 2014, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 524 West 59th Street, 6th Floor ( 8/9)