Following Monday’s deadly U-Haul rampage, the City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing to discuss proposed bills aimed at improving street safety.

Victims’ families held a rally outside of the hearing at City Hall in support of safer city streets.  

“My heart is broken,” said Priscillia Afokoba, whose 10-year-old daughter was fatally struck in February of last year while walking home from school. “This is sad… It keeps happening and there are more victims out there.” 

Afokoba says the driver who fatally struck her daughter only had a learner’s permit and not a full license. She was joined by Monique Williams, whose father was fatally struck in the Bronx by a hit-and-run driver.  

“His crash could have been prevented,” said Williams. “Street infrastructure is necessary, and we are here to help others prevent these trouble car crashes.” 

The two women spoke of their tragic losses in front of the City Council committee. The panel currently is considering a series of bills to reduce traffic violence citywide.  

“I think it’s about how we are making our streets safe for everyone and ensuring that across our city… pedestrians, cyclists, and people driving cars are safe,” said Council Member Nantasha Williams.  

Some of the proposed changes include requiring installation of reflective material on curbs, posts, roundabouts and bollards, installing safety signs near schools, implementing new lighting measures at city intersections, and requiring a 5 mph speed limit on designated open streets.  

The Department of Transportation says it will be analyzing data and will consider some of the proposed safety measures.