NYC Lawmaker Aims To Add More Protective Barriers

New York City Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez announced Thursday legislation that would help prevent mass vehicle attacks.

"Cars have become a weapon of mass destruction," Rodriguez said at a press conference in Lower Manhattan.

Rodriguez thinks that vehicle attacks have become more common. A recent incident in Times Square, where a car ran down and injured dozens of New Yorkers, led several Council Members to introduce a bill that would protect people against vehicle attacks like that.

The bill would increase the number of bollards in highly trafficked areas. Bollards are a raised metal post in or next to the sidewalk.

Paul Steely, Transportation Alternatives Executive Director, said that it's the city's duty to protect New Yorkers when they're at their most vulnerable.

"Whether cars are jumping the curb as an intentional act of terrorism or cars and trucks are jumping the curb because the driver lost control, the end result is often all too tragic," Steely said.

Council Member Rodriguez is planning on introducing the bill to the City Coumcil next week.