Joseph Witkowski and Caroline Shadood

C describes how she got involved with Families for Safe Streets (FSS) . She says she was researching how to get involved with advocacy about traffic violence in New York City.

J describes how he got involved with Families for Safe Streets (FSS). He shares that he is a crash survivor and was hit as a pedestrian in late August 2020.

C shares that in February 2022, her dog and husband were both victims of a crash. She describes the many emotions she feels being a part of the FSS community with people who were directly impacted by a crash or who lost a loved one. J says it’s important to have people with different experiences in the community.

J describes his FSS chapter in Alexandria, Virginia. He says the group is focused on gathering data because they’ve realized how important data is in their advocacy work.

C describes her journey in advocating since her husband and dog’s crash. She explains there have been 500 crashes in the past six years at the intersection of the crash. C says she mobilized and the Department of Transportation fixed the intersection and added a delayed green light to allow pedestrians to cross without cars passing. C expresses frustration at seeing how easy the change was and yet it took so long for someone to do it.

J also expresses his frustration at how hard people have to fight and advocate for seemingly easy and simple solutions that can save a lot of lives.

J shares the story of his crash. He says he was walking on the sidewalk, heard the sound of screeching tires, and turned to a car speeding towards him. J says he suffered severe orthopedic injuries. He talks about his partner’s experience of the event and adds that the support network of crash survivors also have their own difficult or traumatic experiences.

J and C discuss left turns and drivers’ records. J says his criminal case went to court and the drivers’ record was inadmissible until after the verdict. C expresses frustration at the repercussions the driver of her husband and dog’s crash faced.

C and J talk about how their walking and driving habits have changed. J reflects on the term “non-life threatening injuries” and says although his injuries were not life-threatening, they completely changed his life. C says she views the anonymous people mentioned on the news differently now.

C shares what she has learned from her experience: even if you think the cops won’t be helpful, you have to call them. She says she struggled getting a police report after the crash. C also says there is a network of people for support.

J shares his advice: slow down, life is precious. J says you don’t need to know what to do, just call and ask for support.