Saturday’s tragic crash in Brooklyn that claimed the lives of a young mother and two of her children has spurred elected officials to action.
A group of state lawmakers and safety advocates rallied at Brooklyn Borough Hall on March 31, calling for new legislation to stop what they call “super speeders” and other reckless drivers.
The bill, introduced by Brooklyn state Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, would require that the state install “speed limiters” on vehicles belonging to repeat reckless drivers that physically control the maximum speed at which their vehicle can travel in a given area.
This mandate would apply to drivers who amass 11 or more points on their licenses in a two-year period or who receive six speed camera or red light camera tickets in a 12-month period. Drivers would be forced to have the speed-control devices on their vehicles for one year.
The technology that the state seeks to use, known as intelligent speed assistance (ISA), is used in new vehicles sold in Europe; earlier in March, the state of Virginia also enacted legislation permitting ISA usage in the commonwealth.
Gounardes said using ISA in New York would reinforce safe driving on the streets of New York and prevent tragedies such as the March 29 crash in Midwood, in which a driver with an alleged suspended license struck and killed a young mom and two of her children — identified as Natasha, Diana and Deborah Saada — while critically injuring a third youngster.
The driver charged in the case, identified as Miriam Yarimi, amassed more than 700 violations and $10,000 in fines with her vehicle, according to public records.
“It’s no longer simply enough to shake our heads in despair when these preventable tragedies occur—it’s time for us to act,” said Gounardes. “My legislation would require repeat reckless drivers to install speed limiters, so they can no longer use their vehicles as a deadly weapon.”
Gallagher said the bill would be New York’s best way to honor the Saadas’ memories and ensure safety on the streets for all residents.
“When known, repeat speeders are able to continue their reckless behavior, entire communities are less safe,” she added. “We have the tools and the knowledge to prevent these tragedies from happening.”
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso also spoke in favor of the legislation’s passage.
“Requiring speed-limiting technology for vehicles of repeated traffic violators would be a powerful tool in preventing tragedies like the one that took place this weekend on Ocean Parkway,” he added.
Several candidates for NYC mayor in the 2025 Democratic primary, including Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie and City Comptroller Brad Lander, also supported the bill.
Street safety advocates also applauded the measure, including Jane Martin-Lavaud, a member of Families for Safe Streets, who lost her daughter Lenora in a collision with a speeding driver in Brooklyn back in 2013.
“Yet another family will spend a lifetime grieving, even though we have the technology to prevent the most reckless drivers from continuing to flaunt the rules of the road,” Martin-Lavaud said. “Speed Limiters for the Most Reckless Drivers would protect everyone from super speeders and would make our streets safe. Albany needs to get this done now.”
