Closing Bell: Local Pols Held Traffic Rally in Woodside Today

In the wake of a crash where a truck driver with a suspended license took the life of an eight-year-old boy in Woodside, local pols and community members gathered in the neighborhood earlier today. The crowd included Senator Mike Gianaris, Senator Jose Peralta, Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Rep. Joe Crowley, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, Make Queens Safer, Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Paul Steely-White, and Woodside residents. Senator Gianaris introduced legislation making it a felony for drivers with suspended licenses to kill or seriously injure someone — currently, it’s possible for those drivers to only get a misdemeanor. He also proposed the immediate impoundment of the license plate of a vehicle being operated by someone with a suspended license.

There have been a number of rallies as of late demanding for traffic and safety improvements in Queens. As Council Member Van Bramer said on Twitter, “We’ll continue to meet every traffic fatality with a response.” Senator Gianaris stated in a press release, “Nothing is more important than protecting our children, and this tragic accident is a stark reminder that we must redouble our efforts to make our streets safer, including bringing chronically reckless drivers to justice. A little boy is dead because this driver was still on the road despite repeated unsafe driving violations. I am hopeful that these bills will become law and help prevent more tragedies like this one.”

Photo via Twitter