FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release #14-44
Scott Gastel/Nicholas Mosquera, (212) 839-4850
NYC DOT, NYPD, US DOT and NY State Announce $805,000 in Federal Funding For Vision Zero Education and Enforcement
New York City is one of three cities nationwide to receive prestigious National Highway Traffic Safety Administration pedestrian safety grant following competitive application process
Funding to boost DOT’s education initiatives around safety priorities, such as the dangers of speeding, and support NYPD’s enforcement efforts at high-crash locations
New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, NYPD Chief of Transportation Thomas Chan, U.S. Department of Transportation’s Acting Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) David Friedman, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Assistant Commissioner Chuck DeWeese and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer today announced the City is receiving $805,800 in Federal funding for Vision Zero, Mayor de Blasio’s initiative for a safer city, one of only three awarded nationally.
“On behalf of the de Blasio Administration, I am honored that New York City is the recipient of one of three NHTSA Pedestrian Focus City’s grants nationwide, which will help educate New Yorkers and save lives,” said DOT Commissioner Trottenberg. “This funding lets us reach more people with Vision Zero’s message about the responsibility we all share to keep streets safe today, tomorrow and always.”
“Vision Zero is a commitment made for safer streets and roadways by Mayor de Blasio, and the epidemic of traffic fatalities and injuries is unacceptable,” said NYPD Chief Chan. “This grant will help NYPD with enforcement efforts along high-crash corridors and help make streets safer for everyone.”
“Pedestrian safety is a top priority for the Department,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Through a combination of education, enforcement, and improvements to walking routes themselves, these grants will improve pedestrian safety in these three cities while serving as a model for communities across the country as well.”
“Building public awareness and supporting safe walking routes are key tools to improve safety and walkability,” said NHTSA Acting Administrator David Friedman. “Everyone is a pedestrian at some point in their day, and these grants give local communities an opportunity to shine a spotlight on their pedestrian safety concerns and make their cities safer places to walk.”
“Education and enforcement are key to ensuring New York City can achieve its vision of zero traffic fatalities, which makes today’s announcement very welcome news,” said Manhattan Borough President Brewer. The community has been clamoring for safety solutions following a tragic rash of traffic deaths, and this grant in conjunction with Mayor de Blasio’s far-sighted action plan will go a long way.”
In addition to New York City, Louisville and Philadelphia also received pedestrian safety grants. DOT and NYPD will split its funding, with DOT’s portion going towards education and public information campaigns on the dangers of speeding and the need for motorists to yield to pedestrians, among other safety priorities. The agency will also use the money to expand its pedestrian safety programing outreach to 40 schools and senior centers located near areas with high pedestrian crashes. NYPD’s amount will focus on enforcement in high-crash locations.
Mayor de Blasio announced his Vision Zero plan earlier this year, which seeks to eliminate fatalities on New York City’s streets through comprehensive safety re-designs on streets, education and enforcement. NYC DOT, NYPD, the City’s Taxi and Limousine Commission and other agencies are collaborating on this citywide safety effort. Recently, NYC DOT and NYPD joined elected officials on Atlantic Avenue and McGuinness Boulevard in Brooklyn and the Grand Concourse in the Bronx to introduce the city’s first three Arterial Slow Zones. These agencies also are partnering on Vision Zero public workshops.
For more information on Arterial Slow Zones, the workshops and all Vision Zero efforts, please visit nyc.gov/dot and nyc.gov/visionzero.
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