Sen. Gounardes Rallies in Response to Fatal Brooklyn Crash with Call for Legislation to Slow Down Serial Speeders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 31, 2025

View event photos here.

View video of Sen. Gounardes testing an ISA-equipped vehicle here.

Read the sponsors’ op-ed in support of the bill here.

Read an ISA one-pager here and FAQ here.

Brooklyn, NY — New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assemblymember Emily Gallagher and other elected officials and community advocates rallied today in response to the recent fatal crash that killed a Brooklyn mother and two young children, and called for legislation to require speed limiting technology in the vehicles of repeatedly reckless drivers.

S.4045A/A.2299A, sponsored by Senator Gounardes and Assemblymember Gallagher,  would require the installation of speed limiters on the vehicles of repeatedly reckless drivers that accumulate 11 or more points on their license in an 24-month period, or that receive six speed camera or red-light camera tickets in a year. The devices would prevent drivers from traveling more than 5 mph over the local speed limit. This approach is similar to existing state law that requires an “ignition interlock device” in the vehicle of anyone convicted of drunk driving.

That represents a small fraction of total drivers on the road – the repeat offenders who are disproportionately responsible for carnage on our streets – but it would have an outsize impact on safety. The mandate would last for one year, ensuring serial speeders with long track records of dangerous driving change their behavior to be in line with the vast majority of other drivers.

Also known as intelligent speed assistance (ISA) technology, similar devices are already standard-issue in new vehicles sold in Europe, and the federal National Safety Transportation Board has recommended the same in the U.S. Virginia became the first state to pass similar legislation earlier this month.

Excessive speed plays a role in about one-third of all traffic deaths, roughly the same percentage as crashes involving drunk drivers. A person hit by a car traveling 35 mph is five times more likely to die than a person hit by a car traveling 20 mph.

One report found such speed limiters reduced traffic deaths by 37% in the UK. When New York City instituted an Intelligent Speed Assistance pilot program for municipal vehicles, hard-braking incidents dropped 36% and vehicles followed the speed limit 99% of the time.

“It’s no longer simply enough to shake our heads in despair when these preventable tragedies occur—it’s time for us to act,” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. “The senselessness of this most recent crash is compounded by the fact that this car had dozens of speed and red-light violations, and the driver had a suspended license. Fines and suspensions aren’t enough to stop this extreme recklessness; we need to physically force vehicles to drive the speed limit. My legislation would require repeat reckless drivers to install speed limiters, so they can no longer use their vehicles as a deadly weapon. This bill would only apply to a small fraction of the most dangerous drivers on our roads, but it would have an outsize impact on safety.”

“A city is only as livable as its streets are safe,” said Assemblymember Emily Gallagher. “When known, repeat speeders are able to continue their reckless behavior, entire communities are less safe. We have the tools and the knowledge to prevent these tragedies from happening. My bill would ensure that, when we know someone is likely to continue to engage in this type of dangerous behavior, we can support them in making better choices by installing an Intelligent Speed Assistance device in their car. Natasha, Diana, and Deborah Saada should still be alive. We can honor their memories by passing legislation to prevent this type of senseless tragedy from happening again.”

"Horrific crashes aren't just tragic—they are preventable,” said State Senator Zellnor Myrie. “If a reckless driver shows us time and again they will not follow our laws, we should believe them- and take action to stop them. My heart goes out to the victims of this crash. We should honor their memory by taking action to make our streets safer."

Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said: “My heart breaks for the young mother and her two children who were killed this weekend in Brooklyn by a reckless driver with almost 100 parking and camera violations. We don’t need to live in a world where tragedies like this one happen as often as they do. Common sense legislation, like the bill Senator Gounardes and Assemblymember Gallagher have proposed to require speed limiting technology in vehicles of repeated reckless drivers, could make a significant difference in reducing traffic fatalities all across New York State. We must make our streets safer, our children's lives are on the line.”

“What happened on Ocean Parkway is every parent’s worst nightmare—and it was entirely preventable,” said Assemblymember Alex Bores. “No one with 90 violations, including 13 in school zones, should be allowed to keep endangering lives. That’s why I’m proud to cosponsor this bill with Senator Gounardes and Assemblymember Gallagher. If someone shows they won’t stop speeding, then we need to stop their car from doing it for them. This legislation is common sense and long overdue. We owe it to every New Yorker to act before another family is shattered.” 

“This horrific tragedy should have never occurred. We cannot allow reckless, dangerous drivers, especially those with known offenses, to terrorize our streets while innocent families pay the ultimate price," said Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi.

"Our hearts are heavy over the senseless deaths of a mother and two of her children, killed by a reckless driver. This horrific incident underscores the need for action against repeat speeders who put lives at risk. I strongly support legislation that will hold repeat dangerous drivers accountable and prevent further heartbreak. I'm thankful to Senator Gounardes and Assemblymember Gallagher for their leadership on this vital bill that will protect families and save lives," said Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon. 

"Every New Yorker, in every neighborhood, deserves to walk our streets without fear. We cannot wait for another senseless tragedy to rigorously enforce traffic laws and deploy new technology to hold repeat speeders accountable before they endanger lives. Senator Gounardes and Assemblymember Gallagher are working hard to tackle these preventable deaths and I urge their colleagues in Albany to support the legislation to stop reckless drivers,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander.

“Natasha Saada and her two daughters were doing what so many Brooklynites do on a Saturday afternoon when their lives were taken by a reckless driver – walking home from synagogue. In New York City and across the state, we must do more to advance the policy and infrastructure that build safety into our streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Requiring speed-limiting technology for vehicles of repeated traffic violators would be a powerful tool in preventing tragedies like the one that took place this weekend on Ocean Parkway. I thank State Senator Gounardes and Assembly Member Gallagher for pursuing this life-saving legislation and working to ensure that our streets are safer for New Yorkers.”

“Saturday’s devastating crash on Ocean Parkway was a horrible tragedy on so many levels. Natasha Saada and her daughters and son shouldn’t have had to fear for their lives when taking an afternoon stroll,” said Eric McClure, Executive Director of StreetsPAC. “Miriam Yarimi suffered terrible abuse as a teenager, but that can’t excuse her appalling driving record. And perhaps worst of all, despite the ample evidence of that driving record, the state and city utterly failed to keep Ms. Yarimi from getting behind the wheel and recklessly causing three deaths. It’s imperative for the legislature to immediately pass Senator Gounardes’ and Assemblymember Gallagher’s speed-limiting bill, which very likely could have saved the Saadas’ lives. If Virginia can do it, New York certainly can, too.”

“This horrible tragedy that has upended a family could have been prevented,” said Jane Martin-Lavaud, a member of Families for Safe Streets, whose daughter Leonora was killed by a speeding driver at Avenue U and East Fifth Street in 2013. “Yet another family will spend a lifetime grieving, even though we have the technology to prevent the most reckless drivers from continuing to flaunt the rules of the road. Speed Limiters for the Most Reckless Drivers would protect everyone from super speeders and would make our streets safe. Albany needs to get this done now.”

Press Contacts:

Billy Richling

Communications Director

State Senator Andrew Gounardes

billy@senatorgounardes.nyc

Hanna Johnson

Policy Director

Assemblymember Emily Gallagher

johnsonh@nyassembly.gov

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