Protecting Our Children: Advocating for Stronger Traffic Safety Laws in Queens

As personal injury lawyers representing Queens victims, we are no strangers to the devastating impact that reckless drivers can have on families and communities. Recently, families in Queens have been calling for urgent action to protect children from the dangers posed by careless motorists. Yesterday, the group Families for Safe Streets, alongside lawmakers, gathered at IS-125 in Woodside to honor the lives of several young pedestrians who were tragically killed in traffic accidents, including 16-year-old Jael Zhinin (picture). She lost her life in a crosswalk, struck by a truck on the last day of class in June.

The grief and frustration felt by these families are not isolated. Many of our clients have experienced firsthand the sudden loss of a loved one or the long road to recovery after a serious accident. But the pain of losing a child, especially when they were simply walking in a crosswalk or standing on a sidewalk, is unimaginable.

Advocating for Change: Sammy’s Law

Families for Safe Streets is advocating for Mayor Adams to implement Sammy’s Law, a crucial step toward preventing further tragedies. This law would lower the speed limit to 20 miles per hour on roads near schools, making the streets safer for students and pedestrians alike. Lowering speed limits is a proven method to reduce the severity of accidents, giving drivers more time to react and avoid potential collisions.

Additionally, the City Council is pushing for new legislation to prohibit parking within 20 feet of intersections. This common-sense measure would increase visibility at intersections, reducing blind spots and making it easier for drivers to see pedestrians.

As personal injury attorneys, we know that visibility can be the difference between life and death in many cases. Too often, our clients are involved in accidents simply because a driver couldn’t see them until it was too late. Measures like these can go a long way in preventing future injuries and saving lives.

Out of Control Drivers Need Accountability

A  reality shared by Families for Safe Streets is that many victims, like Julianne’s daughter, were doing nothing wrong. She was standing on a sidewalk when a reckless driver took her life. This tragic incident reminds us that drivers don’t always have to be speeding or breaking traffic laws to cause fatal accidents. Even law-abiding citizens are at risk because some drivers simply don’t pay attention or act carelessly behind the wheel.

We believe that holding reckless drivers accountable is one way to honor the memory of those lost and to send a strong message that this behavior will not be tolerated. As Queens personal injury lawyers, we fight for victims’ families to get the justice they deserve, but real change must come through prevention.

Making Streets Around Schools Safe

One of the proposals being discussed is turning the area around IS-125 into an “open street” during school hours, restricting access to vehicles. By closing roads around schools, especially during times when children are arriving or leaving, we can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. It’s a powerful way to ensure that children are protected, and it gives parents peace of mind knowing their kids can safely walk to school.

Our Role as Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

At our firm, we stand with the families advocating for these changes. We see the devastating consequences of reckless driving daily, and we know that stronger laws, like Sammy’s Law and the new parking restrictions, can make a real difference in reducing accidents.

As pedestrian accident lawyers, we are committed to helping victims of traffic accidents seek justice, but we are also passionate about preventing these tragedies from happening in the first place. We will continue to advocate for safer streets, and we encourage our fellow New Yorkers to support these vital changes.