Res. No. 1439
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law, in relation to requiring the New York State Department of Transportation to reevaluate and review highways, parkways and roadways for safety issues every ten years.
Council Members Rivera, Eugene, James, Palma, Rose, Williams, Wills and Ulrich
Whereas, In 2009 the General Contractors Association of New York identified ten major roadways in New York State, that were in varying states of deteriorating conditions, one of which was the Bronx River Parkway; and
Whereas, According to a study that the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials released in June of 2009, New York State ranks 43rd out of the 50 states for its poor road conditions; and
Whereas, According to statistics collected by the New York Department of Transportation, there were 186,034 traffic accidents and 1,148 traffic fatalities across New York State in 2009; and
Whereas, The recent history of accidents on the Bronx River Parkway illustrates the tragic consequences that can result from unsafe road conditions; and
Whereas, In 2006, six members of one family, including a 6-year-old girl, were killed when their vehicle went out of control, over the Bronx River Parkway's concrete median and into oncoming traffic; and
Whereas, In June of 2011, the driver of a sport utility vehicle that was heading north on the Bronx River Parkway lost control of the vehicle, drove into the southbound lane of traffic and fell 20 feet, landing on a pickup truck in a parking lot after hitting the guardrail along the edge of the roadway; and
Whereas, On April 29, 2012 the operator of a van driving on an overpass on the Bronx River Parkway lost control of the vehicle, and then plunged more than 50 feet off the side of the road killing all seven passengers aboard, including three children; and
Whereas, After the April 29th crash on the Bronx River Parkway, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. called on City and State agencies to examine safety issues along the highway; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation to amend the Vehicle and Traffic Law, in relation to requiring the New York State Department of Transportation to reevaluate and review highways, parkways and roadways for safety issues every ten years.
NL
LS# 3620
June 18, 2012