February 11: Super Bowl ads, Vision Zero Cities, home rule
This week has not been easy. With rising traffic violence claiming more and more lives and the closure and subsequent reopening of a beloved Open Street in Fort Greene, we're reminded about how vital reclaiming streets for people is to saving lives on our streets. If you are around, we would suggest joining the community celebration at the Willoughby Avenue Open Street on Saturday.
And on Sunday, it's the Super Bowl, which means only one thing to us – lots of ridiculous car commercials.
Cars ads take up tons of Super Bowl ad time just like they take up space on our streets. While big cars are killing more and more pedestrians and bike riders, car makers use their dangerous power and size as a selling point. And, as we have said, they need to be regulated to stop inciting violence on our roads.
To draw attention to the violence-inciting, freedom-selling and hackneyed-advertising process of the car companies, we created another Super Bowl #CarAdBingo game for you to play at home. When an aging action movie star tries to sell you an electric SUV, be sure to mark it off on your board!
Follow us on Instagram and share a photo of yourself playing along.
Three Things To Know
1️⃣ Traffic violence is surging this year. Since last Friday, traffic crashes have killed at least five New Yorkers. From a 99-year-old Holocaust survivor in Manhattan Beach to a 10-year-old girl in Far Rockaway to a pedestrian crossing 4th Avenue Park Slope just last night, traffic violence spares nobody on our streets. We need solutions to save lives now, starting on the local level with power to control the city's speed limit and automated safety camera programs.
2️⃣ Mayor Adams endorses home rule for New York City. During testimony on the NYS Budget this week, Mayor Adams endorsed home rule for the City of New York, which would give NYC DOT the power to control the speed limit on streets within the five boroughs and automated enforcement programs for speed safety cameras and red light cameras. Right now, these issues are controlled by Albany. In 2020, almost 40 percent of traffic fatalities occurred in school zones with cameras, but at times or days when Albany forces the cameras to be off. With city control over the program, speed safety cameras could operate 24/7/365.
3️⃣ Here’s what we’re reading this week. In the news:
Manhattan BP Mark Levine outlined his office’s priorities, including increasing representation on community boards. Read what TA had to say in THE CITY.
See how the Equitable Commute Project is improving commutes and building transportation equity in the Bronx in Next City.
New York’s air quality is improving, but it’s not enough, according to new studies covered in Gothamist. One solution? Reducing driving and building streets for people as we propose in NYC 25x25.
Vision Zero needs to be more than just a slogan. Our Communications Director Cory Epstein spoke to PIX11 about recent pedestrian fatalities and how to get Vision Zero back on track.
Two Things to Do
1️⃣ Find meaning through activism. If you’ve been personally impacted by a traffic crash, we invite you to join Families for Safe Streets for an interactive evening and hear from FSS members, gun violence activists and others about how change-making has helped them find a path forward. RSVP for the virtual event on February 16, from 7-8:15 p.m.
2️⃣ Design a panel for Vision Zero Cities. Vision Zero Cities, our international conference dedicated to street safety, is set for October in New York City and we want you to be a part of it. Panel submissions are being accepted through April 29, on topics such as the intersection of road safety with street design, city planning, political action, education, advocacy, social justice, sustainable transportation, and community organizing.
One Action To Take Now
Take our Transportation Love Language Quiz! This Valentine’s Day personality quiz will not only tell you your favorite kind of transportation alternative, but it will also match a project with you that is near and dear to your heart.
Thanks for reading!
Photo credit: The header image shows a scene from Nissan’s Super Bowl NFL football spot. (Nissan via Youtube)