Bay Ridge Bus Crash Highlights Need for "Super Speeder" Legislation
A car crash in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn sent an MTA bus careening into an apartment building early Tuesday morning, renewing calls for the passage of the Stop Super Speeders Act. The incident occurred at the intersection of Bay Ridge Avenue and Ridge Boulevard and involved a driver with a history of speeding violations.
Details of the Incident
According to the NYPD, the collision happened around 1:30 a.m. A 26-year-old male driving a Honda Accord southbound on Ridge Boulevard allegedly "slammed" into an MTA bus traveling westbound on Bay Ridge Avenue. The impact caused the bus to jump the curb and crash into the side of a nearby apartment building.
The driver of the Honda Accord was transported to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn with minor injuries and is reported to be in stable condition. The bus driver was uninjured, and there were no passengers on board at the time of the accident. The NYPD is currently investigating the cause of the crash.
Renewed Calls for "Stop Super Speeders Act"
Transportation Alternatives, a group advocating for safer streets in New York City, stated that the driver had accumulated "16 speed camera tickets and one red light camera ticket in 12 months." This revelation has reignited the debate surrounding the Stop Super Speeders Act, authored by Brooklyn State Senator Andrew Gounardes.
The proposed act would "require the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during 24 months, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period." The bill has already passed the state Senate but has yet to be considered by the Assembly.
Statements from Advocacy Groups
Ben Furnas, executive director of Transportation Alternatives, emphasized the danger posed by "Super Speeders," stating, "Super Speeders aren’t just a threat to everyone traveling around New York City; they’re also a threat to themselves." He expressed relief that the bus was empty but highlighted that someone was still hospitalized.
Families for Safe Streets, a coalition of crash victims and survivors, also urged lawmakers to take action. Joe Janosko, a member of the group, asserted, "If the Stop Super Speeders bill had already passed, this crash never would have happened." He believes that speed limiter technology could prevent reckless drivers from speeding again.
The Bigger Picture and Unpaid Violations
The incident also draws attention to the issue of repeat traffic offenders and the city's inability to effectively address the problem. The crash is described as "the latest example of an impotent system that can't even keep known reckless drivers from getting behind the wheel to maim and kill again." It also reminds us of the large number of drivers who have accumulated enough violations to have their car towed away, yet are simply not towed. This incident highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement and legislative action to improve street safety in New York City.
