Dear Editor,
I support the clean accidents bill put forth by Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa from the 4th Legislative District. This bill is also supported by 2nd Senate District State Senator Mario Mattera and State Assemblyman Steve Stern representing District 10.
All three elected officials represent high traffic areas. All three have seen the debris left by traffic car crashes. And all three have heard the feedback from their constituents. As I understand it, when Nick Caracappa brought forth this proposed legislation the other two signed on to it in full support. They saw a need and again through feedback in their districts knew this was needed legislation.
I am sure all of us have approached an intersection where a car accident has occurred, leaving smashed glass and metal parts in the roadway. The clean accidents bill will make it a state law that towing companies are responsible for clearing away not only the large, smashed cars onto their tow trucks, but all debris caused by the accident, down to the lash shard of glass. This is to be supervised by law enforcement at the scene. The police and their flashing lights will not only be present as the crashed vehicles are loaded onto the tow trucks, their flashing lights will remain until the tow drivers clean the roadway, so it is safe for your use after. That’s right: by this new proposed law, all debris emanating from a vehicle accident must be fully cleared.
Drivers in New York State have enough to worry about driving to and from their work, or leisure activities. We all suffer through traffic delays, road construction and the ever-present potholes. Debris left over from a car crash should not be one of them. To me, this is a common-sense bill. Why would anyone oppose it? Our cars are our valuable, expensive possessions. If this bill will save our tires from glass or sharp objects puncturing, or causing damage, how could anyone object?
As I currently understand, this legislation is waiting to be signed by our Governor. Our three elected officials, Legislator Nick Caracappa, Senator Mario Mattera and Assemblyman Steve Stern have done the hard work of bringing this bill forward and it has made it to her desk in Albany. I therefore strongly encourage Governor Kathy Hochul to sign it today.
Respectfully submitted,
Jamie Hanja
Lake Grove
