Proposed law would suspend drivers licenses for endangering children in school zones
State Senator Jose Peralta and Assemblywoman Deborah Glick are pushing for stricter punishments for traffic violations in school zones, through legislation they unveiled last week.
Under the proposed legislation, a 60-day license suspension will be implemented for any driver who is convicted of three or more school zone speeding violations within an 18-month period.
“This is one more step to keep our children safe,” said Senator Peralta, D-Queens. “Last year, more than 1,000 schoolchildren under the age of 17 were injured in crashes, and nine children were killed. So, this proposal is aimed at improving schoolchildren and pedestrian safety, especially in and around school zones.
This legislation is being backed by groups such as Transportation Alternatives and Make Queens Safer. Members of these two advocacy groups accompanied Peralta and Glick when the lawmakers announced their new legislation in front of PS 41 in Manhattan.
When a child under the age of 14 is struck by a vehicle traveling 35 miles per hour, they are five times more likely to die than if they were hit by a vehicle traveling 25 miles per hour, according to the legislators. Through this proposed bill, Peralta and Glick, D-Manhattan, are trying to protect the 1 million children who travel to and from school in New York City every day.
Senator Peralta noted that “Undoubtedly, exceeding speed limits a few miles can be the difference between life and death in crashes.”
