Senate Resolution No. 2159

BY: Senator PARKER

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to declare
May 7-13, 2017, as Pedestrian Safety Awareness Week
in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days 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 Andrew M. Cuomo to declare May 7-13, 2017, as
Pedestrian Safety Awareness Week in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Each year, pedestrians are involved in approximately 28% of
fatal motor vehicle crashes that occur on New York State's roadways,
more than twice the national average of 12%, with 71% of the state's
pedestrian fatalities and 78% of the pedestrian injuries occurring in
the five boroughs of New York City; and

WHEREAS, In New York State approximately 300 pedestrians are killed
and approximately 16,000 pedestrians and cyclists are injured each year
with pedestrians being 10 times more likely to die than a motor vehicle
occupant in the event of a crash; and

WHEREAS, On average, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every
129 minutes and injured in a traffic crash every 9 minutes in the United
States; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that as many as 99 percent of pedestrian
accidents 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, the annual comprehensive societal cost
of pedestrian fatalities and injuries are nearly $1.3 billion and $1.5
billion, respectively; and

WHEREAS, The highest pedestrian death rate is for older adults, ages
65 years and older, at 4.5 deaths per 100,000 residents, which is three
times higher than the overall pedestrian death rate; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious safety 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 Andrew M. Cuomo to declare May 7-13, 2017, as
Pedestrian Safety Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it
further

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