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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Two days after lawmakers came to an agreement on legislation regarding distracted driving, advocates gathered at the Massachusetts State House Sunday to mourn those kill in crashes.
Hosted by the Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition, the vigil is part of World Day of Remembrance. The group has been gathering at the steps of the State House every year since 2015.
Many of those who spoke at the event had a story of loved one lost in a preventable accident, including the Massachusetts Safe Road Alliance’s Emily Stein.
“I’m here because my dad was killed by a distracted driver. You see it all around you every single hour of every single day,” Stein said.
Legislation was a focus this year for the group. On Friday, a committee of lawmakers reached an agreement on the distracted driving bill, which has been in the works for years.
“This is the first time that we feel really excited to say we’re looking at a hands-free bill that is almost about to pass,” Stein said.
The bill is set to be filed on Monday morning.
Walk Boston Executive Director Stacey Beuttell said the end goal is to save lives.
“This is a day for both promoting legislation and a rallying cry to make sure that our state legislators and all of us are still working toward safe streets, but it’s also a day to remember those who have fallen that didn’t have to,” Beuttell said. “These are crashed, not accidents. And we need to change that.”
However, according to Beuttell, there is still a lot advocates want to see get done.
“Until we have safe crosswalks, until we have protected bike lanes, and networks that allow people to move throughout the city, we won’t consider our job finished,” Beuttell said.
WBZ NewsRadio's Madison Rogers (@_madisonrogers) reports
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