Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets Members Honor New Yorkers Lost to Traffic Violence at World Day of Remembrance

Since Vision Zero launched in 2014, over 3,000 New Yorkers — including 128 children, 1,435 pedestrians, and 250 people on bikes — have been killed in traffic.

THE BRONX, NY — Earlier today, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, State Senator Luis Sepulveda, Assemblymember Amanda Septimo, Transportation Alternatives, Families for Safe Streets Members, Interfaith Public Health Network, Bronx Health REACH, Montefiore Einstein, and partner organizations honored the annual World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims at the Gil Scott-Heron Amphitheater at St. Mary's Park in the Bronx. 

New Yorkers joined together to memorialize all those lost and call on the State Assembly to pass the Stop Super Speeders bill. The Stop Super Speeders bill, legislation that would slow down recidivist speeders by installing speed limiter devices in the vehicles of the worst repeat offenders, passed the State Senate earlier this year, but is still waiting on a vote in the Assembly. Similar bills were recently enacted in the District of Columbia and Virginia.

“World Day of Remembrance is a solemn reminder that we must continue to advocate for our roads to be safe for our pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. We have lost too many of our residents to senseless and preventable traffic violence that requires us to take immediate action to address its root causes so we can keep our streets safe for all. I want to thank my colleagues in government, community organizations, and advocates who work tirelessly to honor those lost to traffic violence and push for solutions that will save lives,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson.

“Families for Safe Streets is a remarkable organization made up of individuals directly impacted by traffic violence, whether through the loss of a loved one, personal injury, or caring for someone who has been harmed. Their work providing peer mentoring, supportive gatherings, and assistance after tragic accidents helps families navigate unimaginable grief while turning their pain into powerful advocacy. I am proud to cosponsor the Stop Super Speeders bill, passed in the Senate this spring, which builds on efforts like Sammy’s Law to prevent these avoidable tragedies. This life-saving legislation reflects our shared commitment to safer streets for all New Yorkers,” said State Senator Luis Sepulveda.

“Together, for World Remembrance Day, we at MADD honor and remember all those killed and injured due to impaired driving and other unsafe road conditions. The holidays are among the deadliest times of year on U.S. roadways due to impaired driving crashes. We at MADD continue to advocate with our community and law enforcement partners for safer roadways for all, and this includes support of the Stop Super Speeders bill, since we see many impaired driving crashes that involve speed, said Paige Carbone, Regional Executive Director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

“As we commemorate World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, we remember the Bronx’s 29 fatalities since the start of 2025. This is 29 deaths too many,” said Charmaine Ruddock, Project Director of the Institute for Family Health’s Bronx Health REACH. “We are encouraged when in October the New York City Department of Transportation released data citing evidence that street redesigns in the Bronx have resulted in sharp declines in injuries. For several years, the Bronx Health REACH Coalition has been engaging Bronx residents to advocate for safer street enhancements to the entire Grand Concourse that will lead to lifesaving improvements. However, with 72% of the Bronx’s fatalities this year taking place on streets with a 25mph speed limit, which are often neighborhood streets, we recognize drivers’ responsibility and so support Families for Safe Streets’ proposed Stop Super Speeders legislation.”

“Traffic violence is one of the leading causes of injury, death, and preventable disability in New York City, New York State, and around the world. Faith communities and public health practitioners have a critical part to play in ending this preventable epidemic. That’s why we at the Interfaith Public Health Network strongly support the Stop Super Speeders bill as an important, practical step toward healthier and safer communities in New York State,” said Bob Pezzolesi, Convener at the Interfaith Public Health Network.

###