Eric McClure, StreetsPAC, testifies on Vision Zero implementation

Good afternoon, Deputy Majority Leader Abreu.

Thank you for holding this hearing.

My name is Eric McClure.

I am the Executive Director of

Let's, let's, can you please put the time back on?

And are we good with the setting up of the table?

No, no other?

All right, we're good.

Please start from the beginning.

Sure thing.

Thank you.

My name is Eric McClure.

I'm the executive director of Streets Pack.

New York City has had a Vision Zero strategy since 2014.

In fact, Bill de Blasio earned Streets Pack's initial mayoral endorsement in 2013, largely based on his embrace of Vision Zero.

But while the city has made progress toward zero traffic deaths over the ensuing years, we still have a long, long way to go.

A New Yorker is killed in a traffic crash about every 44 hours on average, and many times that number are injured, often in life-altering ways.

Today marks five years and a day since this committee held an oversight hearing entitled Rethinking Vision Zero.

We testified that day that Vision Zero doesn't so much need to be rethought as it needs to be properly implemented, with a much greater emphasis on street design that can, and I quote, markedly reduce the frequency and severity of crashes, unquote.

To be sure, we have made advances in design, and the present administration has shown a commitment to change that its Vision Zero era predecessors did not, as has this committee.

But to really put a dent in traffic deaths and serious injuries, we need a bold new streets plan and a laser-focused, safe,

safety first approach.

To that end, we urge the following steps.

First, implement Sammy's Law across the city, and I have more detail which I'll include in my written testimony.

Secondly, focus on the most dangerous arterials and intersections.

Thirdly, implement universal hardened daylighting.

Fourthly, establish the Stop Super Speeders program authorized by Albany as soon as possible.

Fifth, mandate side guards for all trucks operating in New York City.

And finally, to focus enforcement where it will have the greatest impact.

On the specific legislation considered today, we strongly support Intro 1070, which would establish a low-traffic neighborhood pilot program.

The LTNs have proved effective and politically popular in peer cities like London.

They reduce cut-through traffic through simple design interventions, preserve access for emergency vehicles and city services and residents, and can be implemented with little to no parking reduction.

We also support Intro 1153 and Intro 613, and we support Resolution 687.

Thank you.

Thank you.