Councilman calls for more accountability for reckless drivers

<p>Brooklyn City Councilman Brad Lander is calling for legislation that would crack down on reckless driving.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jun 5, 2018, 9:54 PM

Updated 2,144 days ago

Share:

Brooklyn City Councilman Brad Lander is calling for legislation that would crack down on reckless driving.
Called the Reckless Driver Accountability Act, the bill is in response to a crash in Brooklyn's Park Slope section March 5 that killed 4-year-old Abigail Blumenstein and 1-year-old Jonathan Lew. The 44-year-old driver, Dorothy Bruns, was indicted in May on multiple charges, including manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. The Brooklyn district attorney says Bruns suffered a seizure at the time of the crash and had been instructed not to drive following a previous crash and hospitalization. Bruns had at least five traffic violations in 2017 alone.
The legislation contains three measures, such as booting or impounding cars that get five or more red light and speed camera violations within a year, expanding the driver accountability program and requiring the city to create an annual study on dangerous driving.
Lander says it's appalling that drivers with multiple violations are still on the roads.
"There's just no consequence even if they do it over and over and over," he said.
The bill will be introduced at a City Council meeting this week. Lander says he's had a good response from many of his colleagues.


More from News 12
0:32
Authorities: Bronx River Parkway crash leaves 1 person dead, another in critical condition

Authorities: Bronx River Parkway crash leaves 1 person dead, another in critical condition

2:04
Police arrest, charge suspect linked to fatal teen stabbing over parking dispute in Morris Heights

Police arrest, charge suspect linked to fatal teen stabbing over parking dispute in Morris Heights

1:43
Cloudy with unseasonably cool temperatures for NYC; showers return tonight

Cloudy with unseasonably cool temperatures for NYC; showers return tonight

1:39
Have any weekend plans? See what's happening across the Bronx for Earth Day

Have any weekend plans? See what's happening across the Bronx for Earth Day

0:37
Man set on fire after argument with another man in Melrose, NYPD says

Man set on fire after argument with another man in Melrose, NYPD says

0:26
Bronx's Jennifer Lopez honored with Premio Orgullo at Latino benefit event

Bronx's Jennifer Lopez honored with Premio Orgullo at Latino benefit event

1:51
Vendors rally to demand accessible vendor licenses and permits after DSNY crackdowns

Vendors rally to demand accessible vendor licenses and permits after DSNY crackdowns

1:54
Morrisania tenants taking legal stance against building’s management

Morrisania tenants taking legal stance against building’s management

2:11
Bronx Zoo celebrates 125 years of bringing joy to New Yorkers

Bronx Zoo celebrates 125 years of bringing joy to New Yorkers

Is your mom awesome? New York City tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? New York City tell us why your Mom Rocks!

0:54
Guide: How to host Passover on a budget

Guide: How to host Passover on a budget

2:04
Bronx River Parkway undergoes construction; prepare for traffic delays

Bronx River Parkway undergoes construction; prepare for traffic delays

1:53
Bronx man hard at work to fight off catalytic converter thieves

Bronx man hard at work to fight off catalytic converter thieves

0:26
NYPD: Man wanted for breaking into Bronx building twice in 10 days

NYPD: Man wanted for breaking into Bronx building twice in 10 days

0:24
Police: Man steals 77-year-old's wallet at Chase Bank in Kingsbridge

Police: Man steals 77-year-old's wallet at Chase Bank in Kingsbridge

0:23
Spring Arrival: Hummingbirds heading to New York

Spring Arrival: Hummingbirds heading to New York

2:19
Denim takes over Bronx Borough Hall for day dedicated to raising sexual assault awareness

Denim takes over Bronx Borough Hall for day dedicated to raising sexual assault awareness

1:34
NYPD says new campaign has lowered crime citywide; some New Yorkers don’t buy it

NYPD says new campaign has lowered crime citywide; some New Yorkers don’t buy it

2:09
Federal civil rights complaint filed against NYC Public Schools Athletic League

Federal civil rights complaint filed against NYC Public Schools Athletic League

2:10
NYS Federation of Taxi Drivers offer $5,000 reward after string of carjackings and robberies

NYS Federation of Taxi Drivers offer $5,000 reward after string of carjackings and robberies