The City Council unanimously passed Councilman Paul Vallone’s bill to improve pedestrian safety near parks and schools.
Under the legislation, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will be required to survey all intersections adjacent to a school or park that do not currently have pedestrian countdown displays. The study is to determine which intersections should get a pedestrian countdown.
The bill then requires DOT to install the countdown displays at the selected locations within two years of the the completion of the survey.
“I’m proud to stand with our principals, teachers, parents, students and seniors in our combined fight for safety around our schools and parks,” Vallone said. “This is an issue that must be addressed before another child or senior is injured just crossing a public street in our community and throughout the city.”
According to Vallone, pedestrians account for 56 percent of all traffic fatalities, with children and seniors making up the most vulnerable populations.
New Yorkers over the age of 65 accounted for one-third of traffic fatalities.
“The well-being of our children should be our number one priority and this bill will provide a major boost for the safety of all students and their families,” he said.