New York State DMV
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Justice for Mathieu Lefevre
Change is afoot at the New York Department of Motor Vehicles. Following a meeting with advocates for crash victims, the DMV scheduled safety hearings to determine whether three drivers who caused fatal crashes would lose their licenses. The first of the three -- concerning the death of three year-old Allison Liao -- saw several welcome improvements in the safety hearing process, including in-person testimony from investigating police officers, presentation of video evidence, and an unusual degree of press access.
January 20, 2015
Victims’ Families Demand Changes From DMV at Vigil for Allison Liao
Undeterred by the cold, nearly 100 people gathered at the corner of Main Street and Cherry Avenue in Flushing last night to remember 3-year-old Allison Liao, killed by a driver in October 2013. State DMV administrative judges had already dismissed the two tickets issued to the driver, 44-year-old Ahmad Abu-Zayedeh, before putting off a judgment at a special safety hearing yesterday. Allison's parents, Amy Tam and Hsi-Pei Liao, joined other traffic violence victims and their supporters last night to demand policy changes from the DMV.
January 7, 2015
DMV Judge Delays Action Against License of Driver Who Killed Allison Liao
An administrative law judge for the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles today deferred a decision concerning the driver's license of the motorist who killed 3-year-old Allison Liao.
January 6, 2015
With Opening at DMV, Cuomo Has Opportunity to Lead on Street Safety
With the retirement of Barbara Fiala, the top position at the Department of Motor Vehicles is vacant, giving Governor Andrew Cuomo an opportunity to appoint someone who will use the state's oversight of driver education, training, and licensing to improve street safety and prevent traffic deaths.
January 2, 2015
Justice for Allie Liao
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles faces a critical test on January 6 at 9 a.m.: Can the agency provide meaningful oversight and consequences for reckless drivers?
December 19, 2014
DMV Primer: Why Safety Hearings Should Be Held For Non-Fatal Crashes Too
This is part of a series of posts on the workings of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, its role in deterring or facilitating traffic violence, and agency reforms that could make streets and roads safer.
December 9, 2014
DMV Primer: How the Safety Hearing System Lets Deadly Drivers Off the Hook
This is part of a series of posts on the workings of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, its role in deterring or facilitating traffic violence, and agency reforms that could make streets and roads safer.
December 2, 2014
The New York State DMV Primer: Why Two Hearings for Killer Drivers?
Editor's note: This is the first installment in a series of Streetsblog columns and stories on the workings of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, its role in deterring or facilitating traffic violence, and agency reforms that could make streets and roads safer.
November 25, 2014
Families for Safe Streets Meets With Cuomo Rep to Talk DMV Reforms
In a meeting with representatives from Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration Tuesday, members of Families for Safe Streets called for reforms to New York State Department of Motor Vehicles protocols, with the goal of discouraging reckless driving and obtaining some measure of justice for crash victims and their families.
November 19, 2014
NY State DMV Dismisses Tickets of Driver Who Killed Allie Liao [Updated]
Update: Streetsblog has filed a freedom of information request for documents related to the DMV's dismissal of tickets issued by NYPD to Ahmad Abu-Zayedeh.
November 7, 2014