January 28: Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act, Bronx Community Board forum, Open Streets
As New York State faces a spike in fatal traffic crashes, we must take urgent action to make streets safe. Yesterday, the new NYS Safe Streets Coalition launched and urged Albany to pass the Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act this year.
This package of seven bills will redesign streets for safety, address rampant speeding, educate drivers on bike and pedestrian safety, and provide support to those personally affected by crashes.
Learn more about the legislation, join our coalition, and take action today.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
New data highlights need to expand Vision Zero. There were 273 traffic deaths in 2021, the most since 2013. An alarming rise in hit-and-runs and pedestrian fatalities caused by drivers of SUVs underscore the need for dramatic investment in proven safety solutions. Read more about our findings and what Mayor Adams can do.
Join the TA team. We need your help in the fight to reclaim our streets. We’re currently hiring a Schools Organizer, Development Coordinator, Families for Safe Streets Upstate Organizer, Manhattan Organizer, and a Senior Director for People & Operations.
Here’s what we’re reading this week. In the news:
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and USDOT are launching a new and very promising safe streets strategy with a goal to eliminate traffic deaths nationwide, reports CityLab.
Park Avenue will be overhauled in the coming years, and we believe it should include less space for cars. See more in Streetsblog.
A new study confirms: Lower-income neighborhoods have higher temperatures than higher-income ones, reports City Limits. The implications of this research are deadly, and this highlights the need to reduce the heat-island effect by reducing car lanes and adding green space to underserved neighborhoods.
TWO THINGS TO DO
Bring an Open Street to your neighborhood. DOT is accepting applications for new Open Streets until the end of the day TODAY, January 28. Partners of any experience or capacity are encouraged to apply. Learn more about becoming an Open Street partner and submitting your application. Also today you can submit a proposal for the NYC DOT Public Space Programming initiative to bring art, culture, and fitness to public spaces across the five boroughs. Learn more and submit your proposal by the end of the day.
Meet Bronx Transportation Community Board leaders. Join the TA Bronx Activist Committee for a forum bringing together leaders of transportation committees from various Bronx Community Boards on Saturday, January 29, from noon to 2 p.m. Register for the event. Then, learn more about joining your community board.
ONE ACTION TO TAKE NOW
Tell your lawmakers you support the CVRSA. Our statewide coalition needs your voice to pass the full Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act and make New York State’s streets safe. Sign our petition to send a message directly to your elected officials and be sure to share on social media too.
Thanks for reading!
P.S. Riders Alliance released a Riders Agenda that calls on Gov. Hochul to commit to fully funding the MTA and providing riders with affordable, equitable, and accessible transit service in our 2022 state budget! Join this new campaign and send Gov. Hochul a postcard.