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Council Members Press NYPD to Enforce the Law in Death of Sui Leung
Under a new Vision Zero law, a driver who critically injures or kills a pedestrian or cyclist who has the right of way is guilty of a misdemeanor. But nearly two months after it took effect, there is no evidence NYPD is applying the law, known as Section 19-190, as Mayor de Blasio and the City Council intended. This week, three council members expressly asked NYPD to charge a motorist who killed a senior in Manhattan, and the response from NYPD Chief of Transportation Thomas Chan has troubling implications about how police are enforcing the new law.
October 10, 2014
Brooklyn DA Ken Thompson: $500 Fine for Unlicensed Driver Who Killed Senior
An unlicensed driver was sentenced to a small fine and probation after he ran over and killed a Brooklyn senior who was crossing with the right of way, per the terms of a plea deal with District Attorney Ken Thompson. Though the driver was charged with committing two traffic offenses at the time of the crash, he was not charged with criminal negligence under the so-called "rule of two."
October 6, 2014
Vance Brings Manslaughter Charge in Death of Pedestrian Charity Hicks
A motorist charged with manslaughter for the death of a Manhattan pedestrian is scheduled to appear in court later this week.
September 30, 2014
No Charges for Bus Driver Who Killed Pedestrian Jennifer White-Estick
Police filed no charges against the MTA bus driver who killed a pedestrian in Bedford-Stuyvesant two weeks ago. Instead, NYPD and the tabloids put the victim on trial.
September 29, 2014
So Far, NYPD Isn’t Enforcing New Vision Zero Law as Intended
It was a welcome development when NYPD filed the first-ever charges under Section 19-190, a new law that makes it a misdemeanor for drivers to strike pedestrians and cyclists who have the right of way. The law was intended to enable precinct officers to impose consequences for reckless driving, but so far, NYPD doesn't appear to be using it this way.
September 29, 2014
NYPD Starts Using Vision Zero Law, Charges Driver for Killing UES Pedestrian
NYPD has filed misdemeanor charges against a cab driver who killed an Upper East Side pedestrian, marking the first time police have employed a new law that makes it a crime for drivers to strike pedestrians and cyclists who have the right of way, according to a report in DNAinfo.
September 23, 2014
Every NYC Traffic Death Should Be Investigated Like the Central Park Crash
When the news broke last week that a cyclist had critically injured a pedestrian in Central Park, a number of things happened that you don't normally see after a serious New York City traffic crash.
September 22, 2014
Proposed Hit-and-Run Fines Doubled, But Law Could Hinge on Drivers’ Word
Ahead of a scheduled Tuesday vote by the full City Council, transportation committee members voted today to increase proposed civil penalties for hit-and-run drivers. However, the bill in question still contains language that could make it difficult to apply the new fines.
September 22, 2014
TLC Commish: It’s Up to NYPD to Get Reckless Cab Drivers Off the Streets
The success or failure of a Vision Zero law intended to get reckless cab drivers off the road will depend on how often NYPD issues summonses and charges after serious crashes, the Taxi and Limousine Commission confirmed today.
September 18, 2014