On June 17, State Senator Andrew Gounardes joined forces with street safety advocates in Downtown Brooklyn to celebrate the recent passage of the Stop Super Speeders Act by the state Senate, urging the Assembly to act swiftly in the next legislative session.
The bill, identified as S.4045C/A.2299C, secured its passage on June 12 with a decisive 44-15 vote. It aims to enhance road safety by mandating the installation of speed-limiting devices, known as intelligent speed assistance (ISA) technology, in vehicles of drivers who have accrued at least 11 points on their licenses within an 18-month period or received 16 or more speed camera violations within a calendar year.
These ISA devices would cap a driver’s speed to within 5 mph of the posted limit in specified zones, operating akin to ignition interlock devices mandated for individuals who have been convicted of drunk driving.
Standing at the intersection of Flatbush Extension and Tillary Street, Sen. Gounardes emphasized the urgency of the bill. He noted that one of New York City’s most notorious speed offenders had been recorded racing multiple times at that very location, amassing over 470 speed camera tickets in just one year, accumulating fines exceeding $47,000.
“Many may wonder how a driver can get away with this,” Gounardes remarked. “We lack essential tools at both state and local levels to address and penalize repeat reckless drivers.”
He firmly stated that passing this bill through the Assembly and advancing it to Governor Kathy Hochul for approval is critical for public safety. “This bill will save lives,” he said, highlighting its potential to hold reckless drivers accountable and keep streets safe for all users.
Data from the NYC Department of Transportation underpins the bill’s importance, indicating that drivers with 16 speed camera violations in a year are twice as likely to be involved in serious injuries or fatal crashes.
Advocates argue that legislation like this could avert tragic incidents, such as the devastating crash that killed Natasha Saada, 34, and her two daughters, Diana, 8, and Deborah, 5, earlier this year. In that incident, the driver, Miriam Yarmini, was speeding through a red light, driving with a suspended license, and had accumulated 99 traffic violations, including 21 speeding tickets over two years.
Family and friends who have lost loved ones to traffic violence shared poignant stories to underscore the need for legislative action. Darnell Sealy-McCrorey, whose teenage daughter Niyell McCrorey was struck by an SUV in Upper Manhattan, urged swift passage of the bill, expressing despair over the loss of his child.
“Had the ISA device been installed at the time, it could have potentially saved her life,” Sealy-McCrorey reflected.
Another tragic example was shared by Amanda Servedio’s friend, Joseph Jankoski. He recounted the fatal incident in October 2024 when Servedio was killed by a speeding driver with a troubling record of 90 speed camera and red light violations over two years.
“I stand here for Amanda, who would want this to be about preventing future tragedies. Nothing can restore her life or the lives of others lost, but passing this bill can help spare others from the agony of loss,” Jankoski expressed.
Juliane Williams also called on Assembly members to vote for the bill, sharing her ongoing heartache from the 2016 death of her daughter, Doniqueca Cooke, who was killed by a speed-driven Porsche that jumped a curb.
“Passing this bill isn’t merely about our grief; it concerns the safety of every individual on the road,” Williams implored. “You never know when a speeding vehicle could endanger your life or the life of a loved one. I urge all Assembly members to support this bill passionately, as it could save lives.”
As the rally concluded, the call for immediate action echoed through the crowd, urging the Assembly to recognize the importance of the Stop Super Speeders Act and its potential impact on ensuring safer streets across New York.
image source from：brooklynpaper
