Traffic Justice
Streetsblog Basics
With Albany Hoarding DWI Fines, Counties Can’t Afford Leandra’s Law
Leandra's Law, passed by the state Legislature and signed into law by Governor Paterson last year, mandates ignition interlocks for motorists convicted of DWI and makes it a felony to drive drunk with children as passengers. But since it was adopted, over two dozen counties have asked for a two-year moratorium on implementation of the law, set to begin in August.
June 28, 2010
Reckless Drivers Aren’t Waiting for Vance Vehicular Crime Reforms
Traffic safety advocates were heartened last month by news that Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance will make good on his campaign promise to devote more resources to investigating acts of vehicular violence. Vance has also pledged to get behind legislation, like Hayley and Diego's law, that would reduce the number of obstacles faced by law enforcement when seeking justice for those who have been injured and killed at the hands of reckless motorists. (We would add the proposed federal "black box" standard to the list of sorely-needed legislative actions.)
June 17, 2010
Albany Update: Bill to Protect Peds and Cyclists One Step Closer to Law
At yesterday's meeting of the State Senate codes committee, Hayley and Diego's Law passed in a 13-3 vote. The bill, which should give prosecutors greater leeway to bring charges against motorists who injure or kill pedestrians and cyclists, now moves to the finance committee. It passed the full Assembly earlier this week.
June 11, 2010
Hayley and Diego’s Law Clears State Assembly
A few minutes ago, Hayley and Diego's Law cleared a vote in the full State Assembly. The next hurdle is the codes committee in the
fractious State Senate, where it's scheduled to come up for a vote
tomorrow.
June 9, 2010
“Black Box” Standard for New Cars Could Be Big Gain for Street Safety
While Albany dithers over bus lane cameras, there’s encouraging movement in Washington on a different automated-enforcement front: a rule to equip new cars with "black boxes" capable of recording up to 60 seconds worth of pre-crash data.
June 9, 2010
Manhattan DA Cy Vance Unveils Strategy to Expand Traffic Safety Resources
During last year's campaign for Manhattan District Attorney, Cy Vance came out with a broad traffic safety platform, promising to beef up investigations into deaths caused by drivers. Many of those commitments turned into official policy today, as Vance announced a significant expansion of the DA's vehicular crimes unit. Vance also pledged to support state and local legislation to help reduce the threat of dangerous driving on New York City streets.
May 27, 2010
Bill to Protect Pedestrians and Cyclists Clears Committee Votes in Assembly
Assembly Member Brian Kavanagh, speaking, with Daniel Squadron and Scott Stringer at last year’s rally for Hayley and Diego’s Law. To Squadron’s right are Wendy Cheung, Hayley Ng’s aunt, and Jon Adler, representative for the families of Ng and Diego Martinez. Hayley and Diego’s Law, a bill making its way through Albany that would give … Continued
May 19, 2010
Driver Who Killed Cyclist Jake McDonaugh Pleads Not Guilty to Homicide
Michael Oxley, the driver who killed 18-year-old cyclist Jake McDonaugh on Flatbush Avenue in April, pled not guilty to five charges -- including criminally negligent homicide -- at his arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court yesterday. He is currently out on bail, which the judge set at $75,000. The next court date is set for July 15.
May 14, 2010
City, State DOTs Ask Albany to Help Keep Road Workers Safe
On Monday DOT marked National Work Zone Awareness Week with a new PR campaign and a call for state legislators to adopt penalties for drivers who endanger road workers -- and, ergo, city pedestrians and cyclists.
April 20, 2010
Brooklyn DA Brings Homicide Charge for Flatbush Cyclist Killer
The driver who killed a cyclist on Flatbush Avenue yesterday has been charged with criminally negligent homicide by the office of Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes. Image: NY1 The cyclist, 18-year-old Jake McDonaugh from Windsor Terrace, was riding east on Duryea Place, according to witnesses. When he entered the intersection at Flatbush Avenue, Michael Oxley, … Continued
April 15, 2010