Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
City Council

Council Members: If Only There Was Some Way to Deter Reckless Driving

Yesterday the City Council held a hearing on street safety for older New Yorkers. The hearing came while the deaths of Lillian and Peter Sabados, an elderly Staten Island couple run down by Allmir Lekperic on Thanksgiving eve, are still fresh in people's minds. But when it comes to keeping drivers like Lekperic from harming others, The Staten Island Advance reports, some of the borough's council reps seem to think they've exhausted their options:

"You do everything you can, but at some point,it's out of our hands," said City Councilman JamesOddo (R-Mid-Island/Brooklyn). "There are people who puttheir keys in their car and believe the road is theirs, andthey don't care what consequences that means for you orI or anyone else.

"Frankly, it's a surprise we haven't hadeven more fatalities, when you think about all the times wesee people driving recklessly in this borough."

Councilman Vincent Ignizio (R-South Shore) agreed with hiscolleague. "It's sad we have to turn totraffic-calming devices to protect people from recklessdrivers," Ignizio said.

Lest the council members forget, Lekperic was a known public menace before he killed the Sabadoses, racking up 29 license suspensions. Yet thanks to a legal system rife with loopholes and light penalties, he could keep on driving. It may be up to Albany to change these laws, but Oddo, Ignizio, and the rest of the City Council could help set the agenda. Earlier this year, the public safety committee, chaired by Peter Vallone, Jr., turned down the chance to pass a resolution telling state legislators that loopholes enabling deadly driving must be closed. Both Vallone and Oddo are co-sponsors of Resolution 145, which specifically calls for measures to keep unlicensed drivers like Allmir Lekperic off the road.

It's also worth noting that Oddo and Ignizio haven't shown much care for safer street design either. They last appeared on Streetsblog clamoring for the removal of bike lanes in their home borough.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Two Council Members Abandon E-Bike Registration Bill After Divisive Hearing

Council members Chi Ossé and Yusef Salaam pulled their support of a City Council bill that seeks to register all e-bikes.

December 12, 2024

DEP Will Make Idling Complaint Videos Available Online for Violators

The Department of Environmental Protection hopes increased transparency will spur more companies to plead guilty to idling violations without demanding a trial.

December 12, 2024

Thursday’s Headlines: Ghost Car Update Edition

It's not all bad news out there! Sure, the City Council may restrict e-bike use, but the mayor's initiative against ghost cars is gaining speed. Plus other news.

December 12, 2024

Better Buses Will Be Big for Business on Flatbush: Report

Mayor Adams has yet to follow through on his promise to bring bus lanes to Flatbush Avenue, where 70 percent of bus riders are going to shopping, dining or entertainment destinations.

December 12, 2024

DOT: Council E-Bike Registration Bill is Not Necessary to Make Streets Safer

Enforce existing laws. Keep redesigning the streets for safety. Hold delivery app companies accountable. But don't register electric bikes. That's what the DOT said on Wednesday.

December 11, 2024
See all posts