Liu, Rozic, Community leaders hail legislation to crack down on reckless driving in parking lots

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Contact: Soojin Choi |347-556-6335| press@johnliusenate.com | 

LIU, ROZIC, COMMUNITY LEADERS HAIL LEGISLATION TO CRACK DOWN ON RECKLESS DRIVING IN PARKING LOTS 

Albany, NY – NYS Senator John Liu, Assembly Member Nily Rozic and community leaders today announced momentum is building for statewide legislation to crack down on reckless driving in parking lots with the passage of S760B in the State Senate. The bill was introduced in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic in response to an increase in extreme and reckless driving in area parking lots in which large crowds of spectators would gather. The bill adds “parking lots” to the definition of reckless driving, allowing such displays to be enforced by local law enforcement as a misdemeanor charge.

State Senator John Liu, sponsor of S760B, stated, “Parking lots in and around Fresh Meadows have long served as impromptu gathering spots for late night drag races and slideshows where drivers would engage in donuts and other reckless driving before large crowds of spectators. These dangerous activities put lives and property at risk and have no place in our community, and this legislation looks to empower our local law enforcement with the authority to address these incidents when they occur on private property.”

State Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, sponsor of A402, stated, “Reckless driving in parking lots poses a great danger to communities across New York. Compliance with traffic rules and regulations is just as crucial off the street, where pedestrians and bystanders continue to be a target. I commend the Senate for passing this important piece of legislation and look forward to doing the same in the Assembly.”

Maria Deinnocentiis, President of the Utopia Estates Civic Association, stated, “Our Fresh Meadows community has been inundated with illegal drag racing in our local shopping centers for years. These areas are surrounded by apartment buildings. The residents are frustrated as the lots are private property so police cannot step in with enforcement. This bill will give them the necessary tools to help the community regain our quality of life. We thank Senator Liu for all his efforts to get this done.”

Elaine Young, President of the West Cunningham Park Civic Association, stated, “Our civic is very happy that Senator Liu has passed bill S760B to crack down on reckless driving in parking lots. This reckless driving, such as doing ‘donuts’ in our local shopping center and park parking lots has been a scourge on our community. It is unsafe and the noise that it produces is untenable. We are grateful to our legislators for listening to our concerns and creating legislation to address this problem!”

Sol Sturm, President of the Fresh Meadows Tenant Association, stated, “We have been inundated by stunt drivers in parking lots for a few years now, so it is good news that the State Senate is finally adding parking lots to the areas where the drivers can be charged with reckless driving. Hopefully, the Assembly will follow suit, and then the bill will be signed by the Governor.”

James Gallagher, President of Fresh Meadows Homeowners Civic Association, stated, “Thank you to our legislators for pushing for this change to keep our community safe. Now we must continue our advocacy to ensure the Assembly and Governor will sign this bill into law so the parking lots like those we have all over Fresh Meadows can be free from the reckless driving that has plagued us for far too long.” 

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