Pass a law to design safer streets

New York needs a "complete streets law" now ["LI's deadly roads," News, May 25]. State legislators should pass this bill before they go home for the summer.

New York has some of the most dangerous roads in the nation, and it is time to stop the carnage. In the fall of 2010, my 14-year-old daughter, Brittany Vega, was struck and killed by a car while crossing the road while walking to school.

This particular road, Sunrise Highway, is a six-lane, arterial road that bisects the central business and residential areas of our hometown in Wantagh. With no countdown clock, there was no way Brittany could tell how long she had to get across. With no pedestrian island in the roadway, she had no safe refuge. She made a guess, and it cost her her life.

"Complete streets" design principles assure that when roads are built or redesigned, they take into account the needs of all users of the roads, not just cars. Countdown clocks, better crosswalks, protected bike lanes and traffic calming devices can dramatically reduce the number of fatalities on our roads. "Complete streets" are also environmentally sound, providing people with transportation choices that can help to cut down on congestion and smog.

In March, advocates for the bill met with those who were concerned that it was an "unfunded mandate." The sides were able to come to an agreement over new language, and that new bill has been introduced in the Senate.

Sandi Vega, Wantagh