Transportation

• For Congresswoman McCarthy, in addition to putting our economy into motion, smart transportation policy is a critical matter of public health and safety.
• She has been a leader in the fight against airplane noise in her district, most recently voting for an amendment to the FAA budget that would stop a plan to route new air traffic from JFK International Airport over parts of Nassau County.
• She has also combated train horn noise, having introduced legislation that would provide a tax credit for homeowners looking to soundproof their homes.
• She has also been a national leader in the fight against distracted driving, introducing legislation to set nationwide standards for texting while driving laws.

 

Train Horn Noise

 The quality of life of residents in the Fourth Congressional District of New York has been severely affected by loud locomotive horn and airplane noise.  The Federal Railway Administration (FRA) issued new regulations regarding locomotive horn noise at highway-rail grade crossings in 2001, which resulted in an increase in noise.  Congresswoman McCarthy has continued to work with those affected and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to reduce train horn noise while ensuring the safety of the communities surrounding highway-rail grade crossings. 

Airplane Noise

There has been a gradual increase in the volume of air traffic and airplane noise since 2000. The result is that it is significantly more difficult to maintain a decent quality of life in the communities in the path of John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport. Congresswoman McCarthy has worked continuously to address this issue by working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. 

In September 2010, the Congresswoman introduced  HR 6364, “Noise Reduction Act of 2010”, which would provide a tax credit for individuals and families that want to soundproof their homes in response to airplane or train horn noise, giving precedence to individuals with certain health conditions that make them more susceptible to the noise disturbances.

Responsible Use of Technology in Vehicles

With the advent of “smart” devices that provide access to e-mail, text messaging, the Internet and more, individuals are becoming increasingly reliant upon mobile technology in their everyday lives.  Unfortunately, as these devices continue to evolve and become more affordable, their inappropriate and unsafe use continues to grow as well.  In an effort to curb distracted driving, Rep. McCarthy introduced the ALERT Drivers Act last Congress which would establish minimum texting while driving standards that state legislatures would have to meet nationwide.  Much like the laws that established the legal age to consume alcohol and blood alcohol concentration limits for drivers, the bill would withhold a percentage of federal highway funding for those states that do not comply.  The Congresswoman plans on reintroducing the ALERT Drivers Act this Congress.

Rep. McCarthy’s leadership in this area has spurred increased attention to distracted driving, and she is committed to working with her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass commonsense legislation to protect both driver and passenger protections.  Recognizing the importance of driver education in this process, she was also a proud supporter and cosponsor of the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act last Congress, which would mandate nationwide graduated driver licensing laws for novice drivers.