Res. No. 33
Title
Resolution calling upon the Governor and the New York State Department of Transportation to more rigorously enforce the requirements of New York State's Vehicle and Traffic Law on drivers of sightseeing tour buses.
Body
By Council Member Cabrera
Whereas, During the year 2017, it is anticipated that the City of New York will have received over 61 million visitors; and
Whereas, According to NYC & Company, the number of visitors coming to New York City has broken records for each of the past eight years; and
Whereas, Tourism is an important part of New York City's economy accounting for $43 billion in direct visitor spending in 2016; and
Whereas, New York City is also densely populated and experiences significant traffic congestion in general and particularly in locations that draw tourists; and
Whereas, Additionally, according to United States Census estimates, Manhattan's population doubles during weekdays due to its daily influx of commuters; and
Whereas, There have been a number of accidents involving sightseeing buses that have raised safety concerns, including a collision, in June of 2014, between two sightseeing tour buses that resulted in serious injury to at least 15 persons-most of them pedestrians; and
Whereas, One of the drivers in that incident had a history of traffic infractions and license suspensions prior to this incident; and
Whereas, On July 3, 2015 in Greenwich Village, a man was struck in the crosswalk and dragged by a sightseeing bus making a left turn-the pedestrian suffered severe injuries; and
Whereas, In November of 2017, a double decker tour bus collided with a meat truck in Times Square resulting in three injured; and
Whereas, In recent years the double decker sightseeing bus industry has seen significant growth: in 2004, there were only 60 tour buses licensed to operate in the city, but currently 194 such buses are licensed to operate; and
Whereas, There have been growing safety concerns regard...
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