testimony.txt

I am testifying today as a public witness to express my total dismay
at the prospect of the Council moving forward to confirm Mr. Lott as
Director of DDOT.

My daughter is a former kindergarten schoolmate of Allison Hart.
Allison was struck and killed while in a District crosswalk about six
weeks ago.  I learned of her death at school drop-off by overhearing
one five year old explain to another ``someone in my class died
yesterday.''

We commute by bike every day past the corner of Michigan and 10th NE,
where Armando Martinez-Ramos was struck and killed while biking in
March.

We frequently ride by Georgia and Kennedy, where Zy'aire Joshua, four,
was struck and killed in a crosswalk in April.

Our next door neighbor was a good friend of Jim Pagels, killed while
riding a bicycle in April.

Every one of these violent deaths---including that of a four- and
five-year-old---has happened with Mr. Lott at the head of DDOT, where
he's been since February.  And that is just a small sample of the
traffic deaths that have happened on his watch, to say nothing of the
non-lethal violence dished out daily across the District.

Earlier this month, on Walk to School Day, a man and his two young
children, 6 and 8, were struck and seriously injured in a crosswalk at
Wheeler and Mississippi SE.

Three days later, a pedestrian was struck and killed on New York Ave
NE.

Eight days ago, a 73-year-old pedestrian was struck and killed on
Benning Road; the second fatal crash on Benning this year.

Seven days ago, a man in a wheelchair was struck and seriously injured
at Mt Olivet and West Virginia Ave NE; his service dog was killed.

Five days ago, a five-year-old was struck and pinned at Burroughs and
Division NE on their way to school.

Four days ago, a pregnant woman was struck and thrown in the windshield
of a vehicle at New York and M NW.

Three days ago, a fatal crash occurred at Rhode Island and North
Capitol.

Again: all of this on Mr.~Lott's watch.

So my question to the Committee is a simple one: what would be enough
to be deemed a failure?

How many dead kids in District crosswalks would be enough for this
body to say No, this candidate has failed to deliver a ``safe,
sustainable and reliable transportation network.''

It doesn't seem like two is enough.  It doesn't seem like yet another
year of year-over-year increases in traffic fatalaties is enough.

Am I disappointed in the Mayor and Interim DDOT Director?  Of course.

But I am testifying today, because I am deeply disappointed in the
Council.  You are well aware of most if not all of the cases of
traffic violence I mentioned.  I have read your tweets and seen your
statements.

But despite all the handwringing and calls to ``do better'', now is
the moment when the Council has a choice to make.  Right now is the
time to ``do better,'' to say firmly and unequivocally that a
transportation system that routinely kills children and vulnerable
users is immoral and unacceptable.

The choice is to reject Mr. Lott's nomination and send a strong
message to the Mayor that only a safety-first director is acceptable.

Or confirm Mr. Lott and send the message that more dead kids in the
crosswalks of DC is OK: an unfortunate, but necessary evil.  But
please, if that's your choice: don't show up at the memorials and
vigils.  Don't tweet.  Don't put out statements.  This was your chance
to do better.