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PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Rachel O'Brien, Resident of Staten Island, on Intro 1138

4:55:23

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Rachel O'Brien, a resident of Staten Island, testifies in support of Intro 1138, which would require universal daylighting in New York City. She argues that the bill would improve safety for both pedestrians and drivers by increasing visibility at intersections.

O'Brien emphasizes that the bill is not anti-car, but rather helps drivers avoid collisions
She highlights the high number of vehicle-related injuries in the city (57,000 last year) to underscore the importance of the bill
O'Brien urges the council to pass the law to improve visibility for all road users, despite the loss of some parking spots

Rachel O'Brien

4:55:23

Great.

4:55:24

Thank you.

4:55:24

Thank you for allowing me to testify.

4:55:29

I'm a resident of Staten Island.

4:55:31

I'm testifying today, obviously, in support of this bill.

4:55:36

I'm a mother and a driver.

4:55:39

It devised logic to allow a carve out for New York City where we have more pedestrians than anywhere else in the state.

4:55:48

Where I live, most people drive, and some may say this bill is anti car, but it's not.

4:55:56

When you're driving on streets where there's street parking, you have to inch into the intersection to see past the lines of cars that are parked right up to the corner.

4:56:06

You often can't see more than a few feet until you're in the intersection and you're putting yourself and others in danger.

4:56:15

It's dangerous to pedestrians and to drivers when you can't see where you're headed.

4:56:19

So if people don't want to lose a few parking spots, they should consider that last year there were fifty seven thousand injuries in the city.

4:56:28

So that means you likely know someone who's been injured by a vehicle.

4:56:31

I know I do.

4:56:32

So think about that person when you're thinking about this issue.

4:56:35

It's not faceless.

4:56:36

It's real people dying and being injured.

4:56:41

While some parking will be eliminated, this bill is not anti car.

4:56:45

It will help drivers avoid collisions.

4:56:48

So I urge you to pass the law to improve visibility for drivers and for those walking and biking.

4:56:56

Thank you.

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Testimony by Thomas Rheingold on Daylighting and Traffic Safety

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Testimony by Rohit Kumar on Universal Daylighting (Intro 1138)