Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Eric McClure, Executive Director of StreetsPAC on NYPD Parking and Traffic Enforcement
2:16:11
·
150 sec
Eric McClure, Executive Director of StreetsPAC, strongly supports Resolution 854 and the corresponding state legislation to require intelligent speed assistance (ISA) devices in vehicles of repeat traffic offenders. He argues that this technology would effectively reduce fatal crashes and improve road safety without restricting individuals' ability to drive.
- McClure cites data showing that drivers with multiple speed camera violations are significantly more likely to be involved in fatal crashes.
- He highlights the success of ISA technology in reducing fatal crashes in the UK and improving driver behavior in New York City's pilot program.
- McClure urges a yes vote on Resolution 854 and mentions that similar legislation has passed in other states.
Eric McClure
2:16:11
Thank you, chair Salam.
2:16:14
Councilmember Kibana, if you're still there, can't see the full dais.
2:16:17
But I apologize for not being ready.
2:16:19
Was juggling two meetings and was not able to unmute quickly enough.
2:16:23
But my name is Eric McClure.
2:16:25
I'm the executive director of StreetsPAC.
2:16:27
We strongly support resolution eight fifty four in the corresponding state legislation it supports, which would require the installation of intelligence speed assistance devices in the vehicles of super speeders, individuals who repeatedly receive speed and red light camera violations and or accumulate 11 license points over an eighteen month period.
2:16:44
Super speeders are responsible for an inordinate number of crashes that cause death or serious injury.
2:16:50
The New York City Department of Transportation study covering five years of data through 2022 found that drivers who had racked up 20 or more speed camera violations in one year were five times more likely to be involved in a crash resulting in death or serious injuries.
2:17:04
Recent horrific crashes underscore this data.
2:17:06
The vehicle's driver hit and killed Amanda Sarvedio in Astoria Last October had accumulated 80 speeding tickets in just the previous two years.
2:17:15
And Miriam Urumi, who was driving at more than twice the speed limit and failed to stop for a red light when she struck and killed Natasha Sada and her two young daughters on Ocean Parkway last month, had received more than two dozen camera violations over the previous eighteen months.
2:17:28
It's also important to keep in mind that speed cameras are only triggered when someone exceeds supposed speed limit by more than 10 miles per hour, and that many more tickets would be issued if not for defaced or illegally covered license plates.
2:17:40
The beauty of intelligent speed assistance technology is that it doesn't restrict a person's ability to drive.
2:17:45
While we have little sympathy for individuals who claim they need to be able to drive for work or other reasons but have such little regard for others that they repeatedly break traffic laws, ISA allows operators to continue driving while restricting their ability to cause mayhem by controlling their speed.
2:18:00
The use of such devices in The UK reduced fatal crashes by more than a third, and New York City's pilot effort in fleet vehicles resulted in near universal compliance with speed limits, along with a 36% drop in hard braking events considered strong evidence of unsafe and aggressive driving.
2:18:15
The District Of Columbia and the state
UNKNOWN
2:18:16
Times expired.
Eric McClure
2:18:17
That require ISA devices, and I'm almost done.
2:18:21
ISA devices in the cars with super speeders and similar bills have passed the legislatures in both Washington and Georgia.
2:18:26
With the support of the city council, there's a good chance we can pass this legislation in Albany this session.
2:18:31
We strongly urge a yes vote on resolution eight fifty four.
2:18:35
And I will submit written testimony that addresses the other resolution and legislation considered today.
2:18:40
Thank you very much.