10 The Courier sun • APRIL 3, 2014 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com PEDESTRIAN SAFETY TO BE A PRIORITY FOR FEDERAL HIGHWAY FUNDS: CROWLEY BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO aaltamirano@queenscourier.com @aaltamirano28 Newly proposed legislation will require states to focus federal resources in areas where there have been increases in pedestrian fatalities or injuries, one lawmaker said. U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley created the Pedestrian Fatalities Reduction Act of 2014 in hopes of preventing another traffic fatality from occurring on New York City streets. Crowley made the announcement on the corner where 11-year-old Miguel Torres was fatally struck in December of 2012 as he was crossing Northern Boulevard to get to school. Last October, 3-year-old Olvin Jahir Figueroa was killed crossing Northern Boulevard near Junction Boulevard with his mom. In December, 8-year-old Noshat Nahian was killed crossing the busy street on the way to his Woodside school. “The recent string in traffic-related deaths in and around Queens demands our immediate attention to find a solution,” Crowley said. “We need to ensure the federal highway safety funds at their disposal are put toward achieving our goal of reducing pedestrian fatalities to zero. It’s time to put an end to the tragedy on our streets.” For states to receive federal highway safety funds, they are required to submit a Strategic Highway Safety Plan to the Federal Highway Administration. This statewide plan is used by state transportation departments to look at safety needs and decide where to make investments. The Pedestrian Fatalities Reduction Act of 2014 would require the safety plan to include statistics on pedestrian injuries and fatalities, and would mandate that each state show how it expects to address any increases at both state and county levels. “Pedestrian safety is a vitally important issue for my district and citywide,” said Councilman Daniel Dromm, who has worked with the city’s Department of Transportation to implement neighborhood slow zones and other safety improvements. “However, more can always be done and this legislation would give some much-needed funding to this tragic problem.” The new legislation is also expected to update the federal handbook, issued by the Federal Highway Administration, which local and state transportation departments use when gathering highway safety data, in order to include items that will promote safety for pedestrians and cyclists. “For too long, the people of New York City have seen repeated injuries in areas that have been proven to be dangerous and high-risk,” said Cristina Furlong of the group Make Queens Safer. “With the passing of this legislation, New York will be able to provide the resources necessary to transform our dangerous streets.” THE COURIER/Photo by Angy Altamirano Congressman Joseph Crowley introduced the Pedestrian Fatalities Reduction Act of 2014 that will require state to focus federal resources in areas with increases in pedestrian fatalities or injuries. High school ambassadors wanted in City Hall SENATE PASSES SCHOOL BUS BILL BY MELISA CHAN mchan@queenscourier.com Repeat scofflaws who zoom through school bus stop signs could face stiffer penalties under a bill the state Senate passed last week. The legislation calls for a 60-day license suspension for drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus more than twice within 10 years. “It’s bad enough that a driver passes a stopped school bus once, but to do it twice is unacceptable,” said upstate Sen. John Bonacic, who penned the law. “This bill is intended to make our roads safer for our school children.” Committing the crime twice within three years is currently punishable by up to $750 and 180 days in jail. But only the monetary fine — up to $1,000 — increases for each new offense after that. The new law, in line with citywide “Vision Zero” strides to reduce pedestrian fatalities, would temporarily yank dangerous drivers from the wheel. “Drivers who are reckless with their lives and the lives of others, particularly with the lives of children, must be punished and taken off the roads,” said state Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky. The bill now awaits movement by the state Assembly’s Transportation Committee. BY MELISA CHAN mchan@queenscourier.com A high school program meant to give politicallyminded scholars a taste of City Hall will begin this fall. Councilman Paul Vallone will announce the kickoff of his Ambassador Program at a press conference Friday. The initiative allows about 10 incoming juniors from THE COURIER/File photo Holy Cross High School, Bayside High School and World Journalism Preparatory to serve for a year as community representatives. The future leaders will organize food collections and cleanups, work with city agencies, take trips to City Hall and even draft a bill to be introduced in the City Council. “Education is important in classrooms, but it shouldn’t stop there,” Vallone said. “Providing this opportunity that gives each student every possibility of future success is the least we can do for our children.” The program will begin this September and last until June. Students are chosen by a principal, guidance counselor or teacher. For more information, call 718-619-8611.
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