Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation that would prohibit any driver who causes critical injury or death to someone else while committing a traffic infraction or crime from continuing to drive.

Res. No. 111

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation that would prohibit any driver who causes critical injury or death to someone else while committing a traffic infraction or crime from continuing to drive.

By Council Member Rosenthal

                     Whereas, In 2016, 230 people, including 145 pedestrians, were killed in traffic crashes in New York City; and                     

                     Whereas, In January 2014, 9-year-old Cooper Stock was killed on the Upper West Side of Manhattan by a taxi driver who was given a summons for failing to yield but was legally allowed to continue driving a taxi; and

                     Whereas, In May 2014, the New York City Council passed legislation, commonly known as Cooper’s Law, which allows the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) to summarily suspend the TLC license of a driver who is issued a summons for or charged with one or more traffic-related violations or crimes in a crash that results in a critical injury or death, and which results in the revocation of such license upon conviction of the traffic infraction or crime and a finding that the infraction or crime was a cause of the critical injury or death; and

                     Whereas, An individual’s New York State driver’s license can be suspended if that individual owes more than $10,000 in past-due taxes, however, a driver who causes someone’s death due to the violation of a traffic law, as in the case of Cooper Stock, is very often allowed to continue driving legally; and

                     Whereas, Due to the extremely serious nature of traffic collisions that result in critical injury or death, and in the interest of the safety of all road users, a state “Cooper’s Law” that applies to the Department of Motor Vehicles-issued licenses of all drivers should be enacted; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation that would prohibit any driver who causes critical injury or death to someone else while committing a traffic infraction or crime from continuing to drive.

JM

LS# 26

LS# 1883/Res. 328/2014

11/29/2017