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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Ken Coughlin, Member of Manhattan Community Board 7, on Universal Daylighting
4:07:26
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93 sec
Ken Coughlin, a member of Manhattan Community Board 7, strongly supports Intro 1138 for universal daylighting in New York City. He emphasizes the safety benefits of daylighting, citing a 30% reduction in pedestrian crashes according to the Federal Highway Administration.
- Highlights that 22 community boards representing over 3 million New Yorkers have passed resolutions calling for universal daylighting
- Points out that New York City has chosen to override state law that requires daylighting statewide
- Stresses the importance of daylighting given the prevalence of large SUVs, which create visibility issues for both drivers and pedestrians
Ken Coughlin
4:07:26
Thank you.
4:07:27
My name is Ken Coughlin.
4:07:29
I live on the Upper West Side Of Manhattan, and I'm a member of community board seven and its transportation committee.
4:07:36
Thank
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
4:07:37
you
Ken Coughlin
4:07:37
for holding this hearing, chair Brooks Powers, and thank you council member one for introducing intro eleven thirty eight, which I am testifying in strong support of.
4:07:47
My community board is one of 22 boards across the city representing more than 3,000,000 New Yorkers that have passed resolutions calling for universal daylighting.
4:07:58
According to Federal Highway Administration, daylighting reduces pedestrian crashes by 30%.
4:08:04
This is why New York state law requires daylighting statewide, except in New York City, which has chosen to override this law and allow parking right up to the crosswalk.
4:08:15
Daylighting is particularly critical as we've heard given today's large SUVs, which are so massive, the drivers cannot see pedestrians about to cross, and pedestrians must be well into the street to see oncoming traffic.
4:08:30
This lack of visibility is a recipe for disaster, and there have already been too many such disasters at our intersections where the vast majority of pedestrian injuries and deaths occur.
4:08:44
If we truly believe that safety is our first priority in street design, then daylighting is a simple, very low cost way to save lives and prevent life changing industries in in injuries.
4:08:58
Thank you very much.