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Advocates For Safer Streets Hold Rally Outside One Police Plaza

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Transportation Alternatives and concerned citizens took to One Police Plaza on Wednesday demanding the NYPD enforce traffic laws to make city streets safer for pedestrians and bikers.

Erika Lefevre, the mother of 30-year-old Brooklyn artist Mathieu Lefevre, is demanding justice.

1010 WINS' Juliet Papa reports

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Mathieu was riding his bike last month in Williamsburg when a truck turned into his path and killed him. The driver left the scene but was stopped by police later. However, he was never charged with a crime.

"One thing I can do is speak about this case and how it has been handled by the NYPD," Lefevre said.

Transportation Alternatives is calling for a "zero tolerance policy on dangerous and lethal driving."

Executive Director Paul White wants more accountability.

"Where the NYPD would prefer to sweep these crashes under a rug, we will shine a light," White said.

The group will review police records to determine whether thorough investigations were performed.

The NYPD issued a statement saying it has 3,700 officers engaged in traffic safety and enforcement.

Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne said fatalities are down this year by 16 percent, including 20 fewer pedestrian deaths.

Browne said police have issued over 770,000 summonses for moving violations this year and has made over 8,000 DWI arrests.

"We regularly stop and summons drivers  for unsafe, accident-related  practices such as use of a hand-held phones while driving," Browne added.

What more do you think can be done to make the streets safer for pedestrians, bikers? Let us know below...

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