For decades, Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas has lived in Queens and is a proud straphanger, like many residents in her district. With so many New Yorkers relying on public transportation, it is ever so important for the city’s transportation infrastructure to be reinforced and made safer for everyone. 

“Our transportation infrastructure is critical to get New Yorkers to their destinations safely and on time. It is clear that we need to make these critical improvements. Congestion pricing means safer streets, faster commutes, and cleaner air for New Yorkers. Let's get it done”

— Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas

Legislative Priorities:

•  Western Queens Street Safety Plan in partnership with New York City Councilmember Tiffany Cabán, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez and State Assembly Member Zohran Mandani.

• Moped Safety: Assembly Member González-Rojas introduced legislation to amend the state’s vehicle and traffic law to require that anyone who purchases or rents a moped receives a pamphlet with the rules of the road in multiple languages in order to provide education to moped users. A10550

• Congestion Pricing: (Statement) “I have long fought for cleaner air, safer streets, and faster commutes. For years, I’ve advocated alongside my colleagues, transit and environmental advocates to advance  a congestion pricing program that gets cars off the streets, reduces harmful pollution, and encourages mass transit. A further delay will not only contribute to our deteriorating public transportation infrastructure, but it would also mean putting the health of New Yorkers on the backburner. While I support some further exemptions for taxi workers, I know the congestion pricing program will encourage expanded use of public transportation and produce necessary revenue to improve transportation systems statewide. As a mom, as a straphanger, and as a representative of a district of residents heavily reliant on the MTA, I urge that we follow through on our commitment to the environment, to public transit, and implement congestion pricing as planned,” said Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas. 

LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES

• Sammy’s Law is passed!: Slightly lower speeds can make a big difference: a pedestrian is four times more likely to be killed by a car going 30 mph than one traveling 25 mph. Safer speeds work. Slowing from 30 to 25 mph reduces the chance of a fatal crash by 78%, and lowering speeds from 25 to 20 mph has led to a 14% reduction in injurious crashes and a 31% reduction in injuries for both drivers and passengers. Lower speed limits in New York City have already contributed to a 36% decline in pedestrians killed. Reports indicate the first quarter of 2024 is the deadliest since the implementation of Vision Zero in 2014. This year 60 people were killed from traffic crashes. Queens recorded the highest number of fatalities at 37 percent of those killed in traffic this year.