On the steps of City Hall today Borough President Scott Stringer and Senator Dan Squadron along with Transportation Alternatives Paul White announced newly authored legislation they would like to see passed. Many Chinatown community leaders were also present including CCRC.
According to the Borough President, "The proposed legislation - recognizing the increased risk of injury and death faced by cyclists, pedestrians and other road users traveling outside the protection of an automobile - requires drivers who kill or seriously injure "vulnerable" roadway users to appear before a judge in court, attend driver safety training, and perform up to 60 days of community service. If a convicted driver fails to complete the safety training course or the community service requirement, he or she may also face fines of up to $10,000 and the loss of his or her driver's license."
Some concerns over this legislation, which was not available in print at the press conference for review, are whether or not the motorist would be "run through the system". It was not clear at the press conference about exactly what was to take place in the event of an accident resulting in injury. While it is clear that the onus should not be on the policeman on the scene to determine a driver's guilt or innocence, we are reminded of possible abuses of one's rights if one is run through the system.
We need to have a reasonable balance. CCRC is waiting to see this legislation.
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