Traffic safety and Vision Zero advocates scored a major victory recently at the New York Court of Appeals.

"The Court of Appeals, New York’s highest court, ruled that New York City and other municipalities can be held liable for failing to redesign streets with a history of traffic injuries and reckless driving," reports Brad Aaron.
The ruling dates back to a crash from 2004, when "Louis Pascarella, driving 'at least' 54 miles per hour in a 30 mph zone, struck 12-year-old Anthony Turturro as he rode a bike on Gerritsen Avenue," according to Aaron. "A civil trial jury awarded Turturro $20 million, finding the city 40 percent responsible for the crash. The city appealed, and the case made its way to the Court of Appeals, which last month rendered a 6-1 finding in favor of Turturro."
The case could add ammunition to the idea that transportation engineering and transportation agencies are responsible for unsafe road conditions. The fact that departments of transportation can be held liable when they create or allow unsafe road conditions should inspire more actions to implement traffic calming measures. In New York City, for example, Mayor de Blasio "has resisted calls from the City Council to increase funding for Vision Zero street improvements."
FULL STORY: State’s Highest Court Holds NYC Liable for Injuries on Streets Without Traffic Calming

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Opinion: Transit Agencies Must View Service Cuts as Last Resort
Reducing service could cripple transit systems by pushing more riders to consider car ownership, making future recovery even less certain.

‘Smart Surfaces’ Policy Guide Offers Advice for Building and Maintaining Urban Tree Canopies
Healthy, robust tree canopies can reduce the impacts of extreme heat and improve air quality.

New Jersey Lawsuit Targets Rent-Setting Algorithms
The state of New Jersey is taking legal action against landlords and companies that engage in what the state’s Attorney General alleges is illegal rent fixing.
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