Elle's Law Public Awareness Campaign Launches

With the start of the school year just days away, a public awareness campaign regarding the recently-signed Elle's Law was unveiled today.

The legislation, sponsored by New York Assembly Member Micah Kellner and State Senator Martin Malavé Dilan, was signed earlier this month by Governor David Paterson. Elle's Law strengthens state motor vehicle laws by increasing the penalty for injuring a pedestrian while driving recklessly.

The law is named for 4-year-old Elle Vandenberghe, who was struck by a driver who reversed through a crosswalk to secure a parking space in September 2009.

Elle Vandenberghe was on her way to preschool when she was struck by a motorist driving backwards on a Manhattan street to secure a parking spot. Elle, who was 3-years-old at the time of the accident, spent eight months in the hospital and continues to recover from a massive head trauma and brain damage. Meanwhile, the driver was given a traffic summons, per New York State law.

The newly-passed "Elle's Law" will result in any driver injuring a pedestrian while driving recklessly having his or her license suspended for up to a year. (Current laws are already very strict for reckless driving either under the influence or impaired by alcohol.)

"One of the ads reads, 'Reckless Driving Wrecks Lives'," said Heather Vandenberghe. "I hope that Elle's Law will act as a strong deterrent to reckless drivers, and in doing so will prevent other families from enduring what ours has."