Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito:
“The proposals outlined by Mayor de Blasio today are innovative ideas to end traffic fatalities in our City. The City Council has aggressively worked on proactive solutions to increase traffic safety, and as we partner with the de Blasio Administration to make New York City’s streets safer for pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists alike, we urge our colleagues in the State Legislature to expeditiously consider the Mayor’s proposals.
Protecting New York City’s pedestrians is tantamount to the safety of our City and I thank Mayor de Blasio, Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, Police Commissioner William J. Bratton and the Administration for their leadership on this critical issue. The Council Committees on Public Safety and Transportation look forward to a vigorous and thorough hearing to review Vision Zero on February 24.”

Transportation Committee Chair Ydanis Rodriguez:
“Mayor Bill de Blasio is taking a major step forward for the safety of our city’s pedestrians and drivers, in response to the tragic and avoidable crashes that have plagued our city for too long. Crashes are the number one injury related cause of death for children under 14 and we can no longer tolerate these terrible incidents that shake communities to their core. I hope to get the ball rolling on this initiative as soon as possible at the City Council–with the support of Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito–quickly passing legislation to help achieve Vision Zero. We will be holding a hearing next week at the transportation committee to fully examine and bring to the public all aspects of the plan to improve the safety of our sidewalks and streets.”
Public Safety Committee Chair Vanessa Gibson:
“For years my community has seen more than its share of pedestrians hit while crossing our local streets so my constituents know how important it is for ‘Vision Zero’ to be successful in achieving the goal of reducing pedestrian fatalities. I truly appreciate the importance ‘Vision Zero’ places on building a productive partnership with residents that focuses on reducing traffic deaths and look forward to working with Mayor de Blasio and Council Speaker Mark-Viverito on this critical issue.”

Council Member Mark Levine:
“We cannot live in a city where pedestrian safety is second to the rights of drivers breaking traffic regulations. Mayor de Blasio’s Vision Zero plan puts New Yorker’s safety first. We need greater traffic law enforcement and a redesign of the way traffic is managed. Lowering the speed limit and installing more cameras to monitor illegal driving behavior will give the NYPD the tools to prevent these pedestrian accidents. Even one more traffic-related pedestrian death is too many.”

Council Member Helen Rosenthal:
“The Upper West Side has been left reeling after traffic tragedies over the last several weeks. I look forward to working with the Mayor to develop the most effective plan possible towards Vision Zero.”
##