State Sen. Jesse Hamilton (D-Central Brooklyn) and Assemblymember Bobby Carroll (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) announced legislation for safer streets at the corner of Ninth and Street and Fifth Avenue this morning –– the site where a driver tragically struck and killed a 1- and 4-year-old in Park Slope.
On Monday, the bustling intersection became the lead story of media outlets throughout the city after Dorothy Brunes, 44, allegedly blew a red light and plowed down five pedestrians in the cross walk. Tony award-winning actress Ruthie Ann Blumenstein and her friend, Lauren Lew, were both injured during the incident, while their children were tragically killed.
The four-bill legislative package will address penalties for repeat offenders, speed-cameras in school areas and medical-related car crashes. The push for medical-related offenses comes in response to discovering Bruns had 12 moving violations within the past two years and reportedly suffered from a seizure during the incident.
“The legislation that we’re introducing is desperately needed for people that suffer from certain mental chronic illnesses,” said Hamilton. “People shouldn’t be driving that are prone to have lapses, passing out or having uncontrolled movement of their arms.”
Hamilton co-sponsored legislation today that will require physicians to report ailments that may cause a driver to unexpectedly lose control of their vehicle. Carroll will sponsor the legislation on the Assembly level.
“After the tragic events on Monday afternoon, it is clearer now more than ever that our state must do more to protect pedestrian, bicyclists and other motorists from dangerous drivers. That is why today I am introducing two new pieces of legislation with State Senator Jesse Hamilton,” said Carroll.
State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Queens) was also in attendance to push the second half of the four-piece legislative package –– his Assembly-stalled Senate bill S336B. If passed, the bill would mandate a 60-day license suspension for drivers fined for speeding in a school zone twice within an 18-month period. However, the lawmaker has not been able to secure the assembly votes to pass the bill.
“This is a common-sense approach since speeding is a leading cause of traffic fatalities in New York City,” said Peralta. “Additionally, we need to pass my bill to expand the school zone speed camera program, an initiative that has been proven to be effective in protecting New Yorkers.”
“Upholding public safety is a critical part of our responsibility as public servants,” he added.
Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon (D-Downtown Brooklyn, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill), who was also in attendance, pointed out that only seven percent of schools have speed cameras nearby, but said she was not familiar with the bill that Peralta said was being stalled in the assembly.
