The tragic death of nine year old Jahmal Stewart could have been prevented. The truck driver that killed him was ratrunning – using an illegal shortcut through Jahmal's Bronx neighborhood. Simply put, the truck driver should not have even been on Baychester Avenue, where young Jahmal was killed. Ratrunning trucks are a plague on neighborhoods throughout the city – from Edenwald, Bronx to Jamaica, Queens, and Bushwick, Brooklyn to Lower Manhattan.

Currently, the DOT is undertaking a study of the existing truck route network within the five boroughs. Transportation Alternatives applauds this study, and looks forward to the study results and their implementation. However, we join the elected officials today in asking for DOT to provide a firm timeline for capital improvements, and for the City to implement interim measures to prevent further tragic deaths.

1. Step up enforcement of ratrunning trucks. The NYPD should conduct periodic zero-tolerance days and ticket blitzes of ratrunning trucks.
2. Increase fines for to a punitive level for ratrunning trucks.
3. Fund DOT's Safe Routes to School program.
4. Make truck routes self-enforcing, through the widespread use of traffic calming devices such as neckdowns (aka 'sidewalk extensions'). Neckdowns slow vehicle turns, calm traffic, and have been proven to save lives. Additionally, use the NYC Traffic Calming Law. The Traffic Calming Law allows NYC DOT to establish speed limits as low as 15 mph. anywhere for the purpose of traffic calming.

Neel Scott, project coordinator for Transportation Alternatives, stated:

"The tragic death of Jahmal Stewart emphasizes the importance of DOT's recently announced Safe Routes to School program. DOT has identified a list of 135 NYC schools as having serious pedestrian safety problems, and will be selecting 32 of those schools for capital improvements. This program is invaluable. The City should dedicate capital expenses of $5 million a year for 20 years would to improve walking conditions around all schools. This will save lives – both young and old – and improve neighborhood quality of life."