Vision Zero Bill Clears Senate, 54-6

We Win! Bus Operators should not be treated as criminals before the facts are in.

JUNE 23 -- TWU Local 100 members celebrated in Albany as the union-backed bill overriding part of the City's vision zero law passed the State Senate by an overwhelming majority. Front and center in the photo is Theresa Gallagher, with two thumbs up, the first bus operator to be arrested under the vision zero law back in October of 2014. The law would prevent arrests of bus operators on the scene of accidents where they were in the "right of way" and a pedestrian was struck, as long as there is no evidence of reckless conduct on the part of the operator. The law does not prevent an arrest later when an investigation is complete. In voting for the law, legislators including Senate Sponsor Martin Dilan said that "an accident is an accident," and that professional bus drivers should not be arrested on the scene if there is no evidence of recklessness. TWU members are up in Albany lobbying the State Assembly to pass a companion bill.