While the city's streets may be getting safer, the improvements are not nearly enough for families of New Yorkers struck and killed by vehicles, and some City Council members demanded at a Wednesday committee meeting that the New York City Police Department do better. NY1's Grace Rauh filed the following report.

At almost every accident scene, there is a personal story. Erika Lefevre lost her son Mathieu on October 18, when he was riding his bicycle and hit by a truck in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

"I do not think that drivers who cause serious accidents or deaths should be able to walk away with no consequences," said Erika Lefevre.

Navigating city streets — on foot, by car, or bicycle — is no easy feat. But advocates and some City Council members said at a Wednesday joint meeting of the council's Transportation and Public Safety Committees in Downtown Manhattan said more must be done to crack down on reckless driving.

"Wherever I go in my district and wherever I go in this city, one of the most common complaints is the speed with which people drive," said Bronx Councilman James Vacca.

There are calls for more cameras to catch red light and speeding violations. Vacca wants to give the NYPD the authority to seize vehicles from dangerous speeders.

Many are questioning the department's policy of only launching full-scale accident investigations when someone is killed or likely do die.

"If you had a relative or friend who found themselves in a situation where they were run over by a truck and were in a position of losing both of their legs, should there not be a more active and aggressive investigation by New York City authorities?" said Manhattan Councilman Dan Garodnick

Traffic-related deaths hit a record low in 2011.

The ranks of the police department's highway patrol teams, which enforce speeding laws, have shrunk by 44 percent.

"It is not that we aren't doing anything out there. I think it is quite the contrary. We are doing a lot with a lot less," said NYPD Transportation Bureau Deputy Chief John Cassidy.

Brooklyn Councilman Steve Levin was ready to take matters into his own hands.

"I am going to buy myself a speed gun. My office is on Atlantic Avenue. I'm going to sit outside and I'm just going to ring them up," said Levin.

Before any changes are made, some might say there is an easy interim solution. New Yorkers who are behind the wheel should slow down and pay attention to everyone on the road.