Watch CBS News

Advocates Looking For Ways To Make NYC Streets Safer For Pedestrians

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The advocacy group Families for Safe Streets estimates every 35 hours someone is killed in traffic in New York City.

"In New York City, the perfect crime is killing someone with a vehicle," Jill Abramson said, the former editor of The New York Times, who was nearly killed by a hit-and-run driver eight years ago.

Abramson and other advocates, including with Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, gathered Wednesday night for a town hall-type meeting sponsored by Strauss Media to discuss the city's deadly traffic issue and solutions on how to fix it.

Advocates Looking For Ways To Make NYC Streets Safer For Pedestrians

"There has to be enforcement because if people driving know there are going to be consequences, I think they're going to drive more cautiously," she said.

Dana Lerner joined the crusade for tougher laws last year when her 9-year-old son Cooper was killed while crossing 97th Street with his father. The cabbie received a summons, WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported.

Dana Lerner, Cooper Stock tattoo
Cooper Stock's mother, Dana Lerner, shows off a tattoo commemorating her child, who was hit and killed by a car while crossing 97th Street with his father. (Credit: Marla Diamond/WCBS 880)
Dana Lerner
Dana Lerner, mother of 9-year-old Cooper Stock who was killed crossing West 97th St. last January. (Credit: Marla Diamond/WCBS 880)

"You know, Cooper was a person who believed in justice and fairness and I'm just trying to keep that going and I really want there to be changes. There's very, very basic changes that can be made that are not being made that could save lives," Lerner said.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.