Senate Majority Launches #Stop4Students Campaign To Protect Every New York City Child From Speeding Drivers

“Every parent deserves to see their child off with the peace of mind that reckless drivers will not rocket down the road next to a school. Nothing will slow a driver down more than a stop sign or a red light which makes this legislation a lifesaver. It is time for New York City officials to end their opposition to my legislation and stop choosing money over the safety of our children,” Senator Lanza.

New York, NY — The New York State Senate Majority launched the #Stop4Students campaign on Saturday, a sweeping initiative that includes comprehensive legislation to protect over 1.1 million students as they walk near their schools, enhancing safety 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The major proposal keeps the goals and spirit of New York City’s Vision Zero Plan to significantly drive down vehicle-related injuries and fatalities across the city by adopting measures that modify motorists’ behavior.

The legislation, S9123, sponsored by state Senator Andrew J. Lanza (R, Staten Island) and co-sponsored by state Senators Martin J. Golden (R-C-IP, Brooklyn) and Simcha Felder  (D, Brooklyn), would require the City’s Department of Transportation to install stop signs and red lights at the intersections of over 1,000 school zones, extending life-saving protections to every schoolchild, at all hours of the day. New York City’s current speed camera program only covers 140 school zones during school hours.

“Every parent deserves to see their child off with the peace of mind that reckless drivers will not rocket down the road next to a school. Nothing will slow a driver down more than a stop sign or a red light which makes this legislation a lifesaver. It is time for New York City officials to end their opposition to my legislation and stop choosing money over the safety of our children,” said Senator Lanza.

Speed cameras would remain in effect for six months, under the new measure, and revenues collected by the city from summonses would be dedicated to installing stop signs and red lights at every single school intersection. New York City earned over $83.4 million from speed camera violations since 2014. These violations are given to the owner of a car and not necessarily the person speeding behind the wheel since photo enforcement captures license plates to issue tickets.

Under the #Stop4Students campaign, rigorous enforcement would not be abandoned. Violations issued to motorists responsible for speeding would result in twice the fine for speeding in a school zone, and points that could result in suspension or revocation of a license can be issued. This method would get repeat reckless drivers off the road, while modifying the behavior of one-time offenders.

 “No schoolchild should ever have to fear danger while walking to school. Over the years, many legislators have tried to solve this problem, but their solutions are limited to a small number of schools, protecting a fraction of students. This new initiative will actually slow cars down and protect all New York City school children. I will not stop fighting to protect our children from speeding drivers,” Senator Golden said.

“This common sense legislation, which I sponsor, will protect all of our children from speeding cars and reckless drivers. These lifesaving measures will ensure that kids feel safe and stay safe getting to and from school,” said Senator Felder.

 On June 20, Senator Golden’s legislation to bring behavior modifying measures like flashing beacon lights and speed reduction to every school zone in the city was blocked by Senate Democrats.