Bundle of Vision Zero measures passed

The city council passed 11 bills and six resolutions aimed at helping the Vision Zero initiative to reduce traffic-related deaths in New York to zero on Monday. The measures range from increasing the Taxi and Limousine Commission’s (TLC) responsibility for negligent driving to creating more slow zones. Transportation Committee Chairman Ydanis Rodriguez, whose 10th district includes part of Marble Hill, proposed the following resolutions:

• Outlawing wheelies, donuts and other stunts by drivers. They are now considered misdemeanors punishable by up to 60 days in jail, a fine up to $600 or both.

• Enabling the TLC to count both points issued by the TLC and by the Department of Motor Vehicles when evaluating drivers for suspending or revoking their licenses. Previous laws kept those records separate.

• Including arterial streets and other streets with high volumes of traffic in a study of pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries. The study is expected to be complete by November 30, 2015.

“We send a clear message today that traffic related deaths and injuries will no longer go unchecked,” said Mr. Rodriguez, who has also sought harsher penalties for hit-and-run drivers.

Councilman Fernando Cabrera, whose 14th district includes part of Marble Hill and Kingsbridge Heights, proposed a bill requiring the Department of Transportation to fix missing of damaged traffic signals within 24 hours of finding out the signals are not working or visible.

The measures awaited Mayor Bill de Blasio’s signature as of press time.

Eisland endorses Espaillat,
Pelosi picks Rangel

Like Oliver Koppell, state Sen. Adriano Espaillat won an endorsement from the small, progressive Working Families’ Party over the weekend (see page A1). Unlike Mr. Koppell, he also received an endorsement from former Riverdale Councilwoman June Eisland.

She announced her decision to The Press on Tuesday.