World Day of Remembrance honors victims of traffic violence

A moment of silence was held Sunday to remember the lives of people lost to traffic violence in the city, part of World Day of Remembrance.

Families and advocacy groups, including Transportation Alternatives and families for Safe Streets, came together at Main Street and Cherry Ave in Flushing, Queens, where Allison Liao died at three years old in 2013.

“It still hurts like it was yesterday,” Alison’s father, HP Liao, said.

Alongside Alison’s mother and two brothers, HP held up pictures of his departed daughter.

“We are here today because our daughter Alison isn’t. It has been 11 long years since she has been taken away from us,” Liao said.

Julianne Williams attend to honor her daughter Danequa, who was killed while walking on a sidewalk in Corona, Queens near her home.

“She was a treasure. Eight long years she’s gone but will never be forgotten. She was a 21-year-old college student struck and killed by a reckless driver,” Julianne Williams said.

Elected officials shared what they said is a need for accountability for reckless drivers, including technology for repeat offenders that would prevent them from speeding.

“It’s about saving lives. It is about making sure these families get justice and the families there after,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said.

Another priority for attendees is having Gov. Kathy Hochul sign the Grieving Families Act to provide support to families in mourning.

“Support the grieving families act. Let’s make sure no other families have to go through this,” Liao said.

Attendees crossed Main Street to the Queens Botanical Garden to recite a reading of the names of people who were killed in the city.

Organizers say 38% of deadly crashes are caused by a small percentage of drivers who accumulate six or more tickets in school zones each year.

Transportation Alternatives says 15 children have been killed so far this year.