J 237: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 2025, as Pedestrian Safety Month in the State of New York

 Senate Resolution No. 237 BY: Senator MURRAY MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 2025, 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 2025, 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 2025, 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.