Liu, Rozic, and Civic Leaders Gather in Fresh Meadows to Warn Against Reckless Driving and Car Takeovers in Parking Lots

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 15, 2024

Queens, New York – State Senator John Liu and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic today convened a coalition of civic leaders and local residents to advocate for S760/A402, a bill passed by the State Legislature this year with bipartisan support that would prohibit reckless driving in parking lots and allow for enforcement of such behavior by local authorities. If signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul, the new law would better protect pedestrians, bystanders, and other drivers from dangerous incidents of illegal drag racing, and other reckless driving like displays of takeovers, slideshows and donuts that occur in private parking lots.  

Extreme and reckless driving in parking facilities often results in injuries and fatalities. Throughout New York City, parking lot crashes and high-profile traffic incidents are alarmingly high, accounting for 37% of the driving-related fatalities citywide. Due to archaic laws and inconsistent enforcement, reckless drivers routinely drive away from the scene without even a slap on the wrist despite the danger to the public. 

Assemblywoman Nily Rozic said, “No one should get away with driving in a way that endangers others. Our neighborhoods deserve to be safe for everyone. By signing this bill into law, New York State could take a necessary step in holding reckless drivers accountable and ensuring safety of our communities.” 

State Senator John Liu said, “For years, parking lots in and around Fresh Meadows have hosted pop-up car takeovers and sideshows where reckless drivers would do donuts dangerously close to crowds of spectators. Our bill gives law enforcement greater ability to react quickly and decisively to these incidents and better protect the safety and property of our community.” 

“For a few years now, parking lots all over the state, and to our chagrin here in Queens, have been used/abused by groups of drivers who like to race, do driving tricks, and create noise, to amuse themselves. Our State Senator John Liu and our Assemblywoman Nily Rozic have heard the complaints of their constituents who have been kept awake at night and been nearly injured by the drivers speeding down streets before or after their parking lot hijinks. Their bill has been passed in both State houses, and we urge Governor Hochul to sign it into law, so that legal action can be taken against drivers whose irresponsible activities put New York residents at risk,” said Sol Sturm, President of the Fresh Meadows Tenant Association.

“For years our community has been inundated with souped up cars that meet and perform in parking lots in our community and throughout the City. These performances disturb residents in the apartments that surround them and when they leave they speed throughout the community.  We ask the Governor to put teeth into the enforcement efforts by our police by signing into law the ‘parking lot safety’ bill,” said Maria Deinnocentiis, President of the Utopia Estates Civic Association.

“As the President of the West Cunningham Park Civic Association, representing 1,200 households in Fresh Meadows, we have been extremely concerned about the out of control driving in parking lots. We have several of these lots in our community. We welcome and support Assemblywoman Nily Rozic and State Senator John Liu's parking lot safety bill and strongly urge Governor Hochul to sign this bill into law,” said Elaine Young, President of the West Cunningham Park Civic Association.

“Cracking down on reckless driving is extremely important for the entire community of Fresh Meadows. This is a huge issue in our community, with drivers performing donuts and putting everyone at risk. We are worried, as more parking lots continue to open in our neighborhood and may welcome more opportunities for reckless drivers. We need action, and I thank Assemblywoman Rozic and State Senator Liu for putting this bill together. This bill needs to be signed as soon as possible,” said James Gallagher, President of Fresh Meadows Homeowners Civic Association. 

In the face of rising concerns over safety, the collaborative effort of local elected officials, law enforcement and community leaders reflects a commitment to creating safer streets and neighborhoods for all New Yorkers.