As of this morning, there were over 305 letters of public hearing testimony issues in support of HB 5429.

Much of that comes from New Haven. There is strong grassroots organizing there, but also a city — students and permanent residents alike — shaken from an especially bloody year for pedestrians and cyclists. Many of the messages cited the loss of Keon Ho Lim, the Yale student who was not the first or even second pedestrian or cyclist to be killed at that intersection. Others referred to a school employee who is recovering from injuries; staff witnessed this brutal collision.

One supporter from Ansonia, Karen Climis, shared the experience of losing her husband — a cyclist — to road violence: “He was a careful cyclist. He followed traffic regulations, had lights, reflectors and other equipment and clothing to increase his visibility to drivers, but it was not enough. No matter how careful cyclists or pedestrians are, they always lose when drivers of automobiles are careless or distracted.

It is the responsibility of drivers to care for the vulnerable users of transportation infrastructure.”

Hers was not the only testimony to mention pedestrians and cyclists being struck or having near misses while the vulnerable user was doing all the “right” things: wearing hi-vis, reflective clothing, using the space designated for them, following the rules of the road.

Carmen Viudes, a resident of New Haven and hospital employee, cited a near miss she experienced the morning she wrote her testimony: “It was early, and cold, and dark, and I don’t think the driver saw me– he was inching forward, revving his engine, closer to encroaching on the pedestrian walkway; I had already started to cross the 4-lane street and was almost to the end, but he lunged forward, itching to speed off as soon as the light turned green. It was still red when he almost ran my foot over as he drove into the crosswalk, stopping momentarily before speeding off again.

I was trying to get to work, as I am sure was he. But he was protected by a one-ton metal cage, while I am a soft bag of flesh and bones. I was shaken up and annoyed– but unharmed. Many others have not been as lucky.”

Full support for the bill came from individuals, as well as a range of professionals. Emergency doctors were well represented among them. Various unions and other organizations gave their support including the New Haven Police Department, United Auto Workers, CT AFL-CIO, SEIU, National Safety Council, American Society of Landscape Architects, CT Council of Small Towns, CT Conference of Municipalities, and maintainers with the Department of Transportation. As expected, pedestrian and cyclist advocacy groups were in favor. The mayors of Hartford and New Haven gave their support for HB 5429.

Those opposed were in the minority, and by minority, I do not mean this was a 60/40 split.

There were four letters against — one from a New Haven resident, a Simsbury resident, and the ACLU. The Connecticut State Police Union was very specific about which section they opposed, which was not the bill in full. One of those residents cited privacy as a concern, which as has been noted in past articles here, seems like closing the barn doors after the horses done split close to fifteen years ago. The other resident’s comments reflected little understanding of what every section of the bill proposes.

Another four pieces of testimony were categorized as partially pro, including one from AAA Northeast. That letter is actually supportive, but has suggestions for implementation, including a warning period for speed cameras.

There were two letters labeled “partially anti” and those came from the Judicial Branch of the State of Connecticut and from WestCOG. WestCOG’s opposition was to the proposed revision to how speed limits are set, believing that more local control over this matter would lead to inconsistency.

To recap, that’s over 305 letters fully in favor, and 10 that were either totally or partially opposed, or had suggestions for how to implement pieces of the bill.

An estimated 70 people gave virtual testimony in a five-hour Transportation Committee hearing.

After 2020’s astounding and unforgivable death count — at least 60 pedestrians and six cyclists lost their lives in Connecticut — maybe this will be the year safety for vulnerable road users gets prioritized and makes it out of committee.

Cover photo by George Huffman on Unsplash