New Law Protecting Sanitation Workers Goes Into Effect In NY
YONKERS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Yonkers is doing its part to spread the word about a new law that makes the job safer for sanitation workers.
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said sanitation workers have a greater chance of being killed on the job than firefighters or police officers.
"It doesn't need to be that way, and it is because people don't treat blue garbage trucks with the same respect that they treat the school bus, firetruck, ambulance or police car," Spano said.
New York is now one of a dozen states to adopt the so-called "Slow Down to Get Around" law, which went into effect Tuesday. Under the law, drivers who speed past sanitation trucks are now subject to fines and points on their license.
"Most people are under the impression only police and fire and ambulances are at risk, but these guys in DPW (Department of Public Works) doing collections are in the same category we are, with probably a lot less protection," Detective Lt. Patrick McCormack said.
A reflective vest was all John Calise was wearing when he was struck on the job in July 2015.
"I was dumping the pail on the back of the truck, put it back on the curb. I was coming back towards the truck when my partner had screamed to me 'look out,'" Calise said. "I remember tightening up, closing my eyes and then waking up in an ambulance."
Calise was out of work for 10 months, suffering a broken clavicle, two herniated discs and a broken finger.
"The new law, it'll help us all out," Calise said. "We want the public to know we're out there, keep an eye out for us. It only takes another minute."
The law does not set a specific speed motorists must drive. Police say drivers should slow down the same way they would if passing an active construction zone, CBS2's Raegan Medgie reported.
Police in Yonkers said they'll educate the public through social media before issuing fines.
