Transportation
New York's Big Step Toward Safer Streets for All
A package of legislation passed late last week, including "Cooper's Law," shows the city is finally getting serious about reducing traffic fatalities.
When a law is given the name of a child, you know there’s a terrible tragedy behind it. These legislative and regulatory efforts – Megan’s Law, the Ryan White Care Act, Rory’s Regulations, to name just a few – are an attempt to give meaning to the senseless death of a young person. They can exert a powerful moral force.
Now New York City has Cooper’s Law, named after 9-year-old Cooper Stock, who was killed by a taxi driver making a left turn into the Upper West Side crosswalk where he was walking with his hand in his father’s. The two were crossing with the light when the driver hit them.