Senate Resolution No. 1963

BY: Senator MURRAY

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
October 2024, as Pedestrian Safety Month in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
safety issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 2024, as
Pedestrian Safety Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of National Pedestrian Safety Month; and

WHEREAS, In New York State approximately 300 pedestrians are killed
each year and countless more pedestrians and cyclists are injured each
year; and

WHEREAS, On average, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every
71 minutes and injured in a traffic crash every nine minutes in the
United States according to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA); and

WHEREAS, The NHTSA reports that pedestrian deaths account for 17% of
all traffic fatalities and there are over 60,000 pedestrians injured
annually in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Pedestrian injuries and deaths could be eliminated if both
motor vehicle drivers and pedestrians took a little extra caution at
crosswalks and on roadways; and

WHEREAS, In New York State, pedestrian fatalities and injuries
involving motor vehicles have annual societal impacts that cost the
state billions of dollars; and

WHEREAS, The highest pedestrian death rate is for older adults; and

WHEREAS, There is also a disproportionate occurrence of pedestrian
injuries and fatalities within disadvantaged populations living in areas
of high need, including upon children walking to school in suburban and
urban settings; and

WHEREAS, The United States Department of Transportation, with the
backing of the NHTSA, has dedicated the month of October to protecting
pedestrians and motorists from traffic accidents by implementing a
national program called the Safe System Approach in January 2022, which
utilizes proactive and preemptive measures to mitigate traffic-related
collisions, injuries, and fatalities; and

WHEREAS, By spreading awareness and disseminating information with
prominence throughout October, proponents of the NHTSA's Safe System
Approach hope to see nationwide behavioral alterations that gear

road-users toward more cautious travel, thereby reducing injuries and
fatalities of pedestrians; and

WHEREAS, By highlighting the Safe System Approach throughout
October, National Pedestrian Safety Month facilitates an environment
that enhances welfare by highlighting a specific safety aim each week of
the month; and further, the order of emphasis for each week is Safer
People, Safer Speeds and Safer Roads, Safer Vehicles, and Post-Crash
Care; and

WHEREAS, Pedestrian safety improvement strategies are promoted by
NHTSA during National Pedestrian Safety Month, including yielding to
pedestrians, putting down electronic devices while walking, donning of
helmets, wearing of seatbelts, sporting of reflective attire, crosswalk
safety skills, driving at appropriate speeds, using lights, and calling
for emergency response teams; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness and
focus on the elimination of this serious issue, and more must be done to
increase activity at the State, local and national levels to implement
new safety countermeasures to prevent pedestrian injuries and
fatalities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 2024, as
Pedestrian Safety Month the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.