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PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Mirsada Kolenovic, Member of Families for Safe Streets, on Universal Daylighting

5:44:24

·

110 sec

Mirsada Kolenovic, a member of Families for Safe Streets, testified in support of Intro 1138 for universal daylighting in New York City. She shared the tragic story of her 16-year-old sister Alyssa, who was fatally struck by a turning truck at an intersection lacking proper daylighting.

  • Kolenovic emphasized that the crash could have been prevented with better street design and visibility at intersections.
  • She urged the committee to support Intro 1138, stating that universal daylighting would improve safety for all road users.
  • This was Kolenovic's first time testifying at a city council hearing, highlighting the personal impact of the proposed legislation.
Mirsada Kolenovic
5:44:24
Okay.
5:44:25
Thank you, chair Brooks and power and powers and members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for holding today's hearing.
5:44:33
My name is Mersada Kalanovic, and I'm a member of Families for Safe Streets.
5:44:38
This is my first time testifying at a city council hearing, and I'm here to urge you to support Intro November and universal daylighting in New York City.
5:44:47
Families For Safe Streets is an organization may made up of people like me who have either lost a loved one or have been injured in a traffic crash.
5:44:56
FSS members know that when our streets and intersections are deadly, New Yorkers are the ones who pay the price.
5:45:02
I had the dubious honor of joining Families for Safe Streets in 2022 when my 16 year old sister, Alyssa Klonovic, was fatally struck by a turning truck driver as she walked to school about a block away from our home in the Bronx.
5:45:16
Alyssa loved drawing, spending time with her friends and family.
5:45:20
Summers were her favorite season.
5:45:22
The intersection of Paulding Avenue and Neal Avenue where my sister was struck was known to be a bad corner where lack of daylighting meant that neither the driver nor my sister were able to see one another until it was too late.
5:45:34
Universal daylighting will mean that everyone, no matter how they're getting around, can have the visibility to make everyone in the intersection safe.
5:45:42
Alyssa's crash could have been prevented, and I wouldn't have to be here today.
5:45:46
If we design streets around people instead of cars, if we use common sense solutions like daylighting at our intersections, we can and will save lives.
5:45:54
I urge you to support Intro 11 30 eight and and Universal Daylighting.
5:45:58
Thank you for this opportunity to share this testimony and my sister's story with you.
5:46:02
And I do wanna share a quick picture of her.
5:46:06
She's right over here.
Mercedes Narcisse
5:46:08
She's beautiful.
5:46:09
Sorry for your loss.
5:46:10
Yes.
Mirsada Kolenovic
5:46:12
Thank you so much for allowing me to speak.
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