FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 2021
Contact: info@erikbottcher.com
TO STOP ILLEGAL STREET RACING, ERIK BOTTCHER CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE PASSAGE OF SPEED CAMERA LEGISLATION IN ALBANY, WILL SPONSOR RECKLESS DRIVER ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
Senator Brad Hoylman’s legislation would allow New York City to install speed cameras that operate at night, to identify and ticket reckless drivers
Bottcher also vows to sponsor legislation strengthening the Reckless Driver Accountability Act if elected
New York, NY — To stop reckless drivers who are endangering lives by speed racing through the streets of Hell’s Kitchen, Chelsea and the Village, City Council candidate Erik Bottcher is calling for the passage of State Senator Brad Hoylman’s Fighting Underground Racing In Our Streets (FURIOUS) Act in Albany.
The FURIOUS Act would authorize New York City to operate its speed camera program overnight and on weekends in areas that have been shown to be hot spots for illegal street racing. Currently, speed cameras are only permitted to operate on weekdays from 6:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m.. Hoylman’s bill would also close loopholes in New York’s laws on races and speed contests, making it easier to hold drivers accountable.
Additionally, if elected, Bottcher vows to strengthen the Reckless Driver Accountability Act, which permits New York City to seize and impound the cars of drivers with multiple red light and speed camera violations. Bottcher will fight to reduce the number of speed camera violations required in a 12 month period to impound.
“Illegal street racing has put our residents in danger for many months, and it needs to stop,” said Erik Bottcher. “2020 had the highest number of traffic fatalities in years. It’s a miracle that more pedestrians haven’t been killed. I encourage the state legislature to quickly pass, and Governor Cuomo to sign, Senator Hoylman’s bill that would allow New York City to use speed cameras to identify and ticket these reckless drivers. On the City Council, I’ll sponsor legislation to make sure that reckless drivers are held accountable.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in speeding and speeding-related traffic fatalities in New York City,” said Senator Brad Hoylman. “We need to do everything in our power to crack down on reckless motorists who speed, threatening the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other drivers who share the streets. Thank you Erik Bottcher for supporting legislation I carry in Albany to allow the City to operate speed cameras overnight and on weekends. New Yorkers have enough to deal with right now -- it’s time to pump the brakes on dangerous driving and illegal street racing by passing the FURIOUS Act.”
At least 243 people died in traffic crashes in New York City in 2020, a tragic figure that has been attributed to speeding and reckless driving on emptier roads. This is the deadliest year on record since Mayor Bill de Blasio took office in 2014.
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Erik Bottcher is running to represent City Council District 3, which includes the neighborhoods of Greenwich Village, Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen. A longtime public servant and activist with an accomplished career in city and state government, Erik believes that together, we can build a city that works for everyone and make sure that New York City’s best days are still ahead. To learn more about Erik, please visit www.erikbottcher.com