NYC Council Passes Slate of Bills Aimed at Decreasing Traffic Accidents

YS Gold 

On Thursday, New York City Council passed a group of bills aimed at lowering accident rates, especially in “senior pedestrian zones.” One bill introduced by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams aimed at decreasing traffic accidents in areas with a higher concentration of senior citizens.  

“Behind every crash is a family and community impacted by traffic violence,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “Today, the Council is taking major steps to secure safer streets and neighborhoods for all New Yorkers.

Under the bill, the Department of Transportation (DOT) would be required to accelerate the schedule on which the agency conducts the study of traffic crashes involving a pedestrian fatality or serious injury required by local law from every five years to every four years. 

The city would then be obligated to install “traffic calming devices” in areas with high accident rates. Such devices include speed bumps and raised intersections.