FSS members across the country giving a face to the crisis. FSS DC member Jessica Reiser Hart was featured in a powerful and heart-wrenching CBS national news story and speaks about her 5-year-old daughter Allie who was killed near their home. Amy Cohen also was on NBC’s Halle Jackson NOW new show.

Hundreds of local family members in Corona Park joined Queens elected officials and Families for Safe Streets to say enough is enough when it comes to traffic violence as they mourn the recent deaths of two children on Queens streets. Participants rallied and marched for street safety measures, loudly demanding passage of Sammy’s Law in the state budget and other safety measures as Queens reels from several recent deaths, including 8-year-old Bayron Palomino Arroyo, who was killed by a driver while crossing the street with his mother and brother two weeks ago. Seventeen people have been killed in traffic crashes in Queens so far this year. Check out this video of the event, and the Queens Daily Eagle story.

Listen to FSS founder Amy Cohen in conversation with Uplifters Podcast host Aransas Savas about turning the tragic loss of her son Sammy into the growing national movement that is FSS. The podcast explores the tools and strategies that enable us to bolster ourselves and sustain our work.

FSS submitted comments and encouraged its members to submit comments in support of the Honoring Abbas Family Legacy to Terminate Drunk Driving Act or HALT Drunk Driving Act — urging rapid implementation of the mandate for advanced impaired driving prevention technology. Impaired driving is a persistent traffic safety issue that has contributed to nearly one-third of all traffic deaths annually over the past decade. Given the unacceptably high cost to society of these preventable deaths, passive detection technology—a solution that is available, effective, and gravely needed—should be required technology for all new vehicles. This technology has the capacity to address those impaired or distracted in many ways, whether it be from alcohol, prescription drugs, illicit substances, drowsiness, cell phone use, or the large consoles now prominent in most new vehicles. Read our comments here.

FSS member Kate Brockwehl and others are helping lead the fight for the renewal and expansion of New York City’s red light camera program — with a goal to expand the program from 1% to 10% of intersections. Check out all the news coverage. “Three decades of data makes it clear: red light cameras reduce crashes and change driver behavior-but state law unfortunately limits their safety benefits to a tiny fraction of intersections.” Check out this interview with Kate and learn more about the effectiveness of this program..

Philadelphia FSS chapter co-founder Latanya Byrd joined senior Biden-Harris administration members on a White House panel discussing how the Administration’s equity agenda has impacted infrastructure projects around the country. Latanya made a compelling case for continued focus on equity, sharing the tragic loss of four family members killed on a notorious high-injury corridor in Philadelphia. Fellow panelists included: Deb Haaland, Secretary of the Interior, Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Education, and Marcia Fudge, Secretary of Housing & Urban Development. Washington DC chapter member Dan Langenkamp also spoke at a DC event marking the second anniversary of USDOT's National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS), sharing the tragic loss of his wife, Sarah Debbink Langenkamp who was struck by a flatbed truck driver making a ‘right hook’ turn into a parking lot. Sarah was a US diplomat, and mother to the couple’s two young sons. The USDOT announced its 2024 National Roadway Safety Strategy Progress Report, including 41 new commitments from businesses and organizations to support the NRSS and take action to reverse America’s roadway crisis.

Last Tuesday, nearly 100 FSS members and supporters went to Albany to fight for Sammy’s Law and the SAFE Streets package. We shared the list of over 125 organizational supporters — 30 of which signed on in the last few weeks. Check out these photos, this great interview by NYC FSS founding member Mary Beth Kelly on NY1, and the feature on Amy Cohen, Sammy’s mother, in the New York Post.

After a decade of Vision Zero, we know what works. We just need our leaders to have the same courage as FSS member Lizi Rahman who led the fight to turn the Boulevard of Death into a boulevard of life. Few of our leaders are truly committed to Vision Zero, which is why we still have so far to go. Check out the story on All Things Considered.

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced yesterday that she will be including Sammy’s Law in her Executive budget. The bill, named after the son of FSS Co-Founder Amy Cohen, will give New York City control over its speed limits. The bill came very close to passage last year but the Assembly failed to even bring the bill for a vote, even after Amy and other members staged a hunger strike.

Join us for our first trip to Albany on January 23rd and as we press hard for the bill’s passage this year.

Dozens of elected officials and supporting organizations joined on Friday outside of Speaker Heastie’s NYC office to demand that the New York State Legislature pass Sammy’s Law in the rapidly approaching legislative session. Participants included Comptroller Lander, NYC DOT, State Senator Hoylman-Sigal, Assemblymembers Rosenthal, Simon, Glick, Borres, Carroll, Transportation Alternatives, DC 37 Local372, AARP-NY, Good Shepherd Services, the New York Board of Rabbis, Riseboro, Consumer Reports, Kids and Car Safety, .05 Saves Lives Coalition, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, Open Plans, and more. Sammy’s Law would empower New York City to set its own speed limits.

Check out the Streetsblog article