Jun 6 - Governor Hochul yanked support for congestion pricing weeks before launch. Senator Liz Krueger called it reckless. The move leaves a $15 billion hole in MTA funding. No clear replacement plan. Riders and streets hang in the balance. Gridlock wins.

On June 6, 2024, Senator Liz Krueger (District 28) condemned Governor Hochul’s last-minute reversal on congestion pricing. The policy, approved by the MTA Board and set for June 30, now faces indefinite delay. Krueger called the decision 'a staggering error' that creates a financial crisis for the MTA. The matter at hand: 'Gov. Hochul revoked her support for congestion pricing less than a month before it was supposed to start.' Assembly Member Robert Carroll also criticized the governor, rejecting her proposal to hike the payroll mobility tax on city businesses. The MTA’s capital plan now faces a $15 billion shortfall, with no replacement funding in sight. The delay leaves vulnerable road users exposed, as congestion pricing aimed to cut traffic and fund safer transit. The council’s response is clear: the city needs congestion pricing, now.

• Two Huge Questions About 'Gridlock Gov.' Hochul's Congestion Pricing Delay, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 6 - Governor Hochul pulled the plug on congestion pricing just weeks before rollout. The move leaves the MTA’s future in limbo. Board members and city officials push back. Billions for transit hang in the balance. No clear plan replaces lost funds.

On June 6, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul revoked her support for congestion pricing, a policy set to start June 30. The delay, announced without legislative action, sparked backlash. MTA Board member Midori Valdivia vowed, 'I'm going to vote yes to congestion pricing, and that it should start as soon as possible.' Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi echoed, 'It needs to happen now.' Senator Liz Krueger called Hochul's move 'a staggering error.' Assembly Member Robert Carroll and business leader Kathy Wylde criticized the governor’s floated payroll tax hike as unfair to city businesses. The MTA faces a $15 billion shortfall, with no replacement funding in sight. The delay keeps streets clogged and transit underfunded, risking more danger for those outside cars.

• Two Huge Questions About ‘Gridlock Gov.’ Hochul’s Congestion Pricing Delay, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-06

Apr 23 - Steel front met soft flesh on Coney Island Avenue. A 17-year-old cyclist thrown, body broken, shock in his eyes. The SUV did not stop. Pavement held him. Blood pooled. Sirens followed. The city’s danger pressed down, hard and cold.

A 17-year-old boy riding a bike was struck by a station wagon/SUV at Park Circle and Coney Island Avenue, according to the police report. The crash occurred as both vehicles were 'going straight ahead.' The cyclist was ejected and suffered severe lacerations and injuries to his entire body. The police report describes the impact as 'steel front met soft flesh,' with the teen thrown hard and left in shock. The SUV's center front end struck the cyclist, causing the bike to overturn. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor, but does not cite any specific driver error. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned only after the details of the crash and the SUV's involvement. The focus remains on the violent collision and the systemic dangers faced by vulnerable road users at this intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720231 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 15 - A Mercedes swung right on Clermont Avenue. An unlicensed driver hit a woman crossing. Her hip shattered, blood pooling from deep wounds. She lay on the pavement, limbs twisted, eyes fixed on the unreachable sky above.

According to the police report, a Mercedes sedan making a right turn on Clermont Avenue struck a 35-year-old woman as she crossed at the intersection. The report states the driver was unlicensed and failed to yield the right-of-way. The impact broke the woman’s hip and caused severe lacerations, leaving her conscious but immobilized on the pavement. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The collision occurred when the sedan’s right front bumper hit the pedestrian, who was in the crosswalk. No evidence in the report suggests any pedestrian error contributed to the crash. The focus remains on the unlicensed driver’s actions and the systemic danger posed by drivers who disregard basic traffic laws.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717531 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 15 - A westbound SUV struck a cyclist head-on on Atlantic Avenue. The rider flew from his bike, landing hard and bleeding from the head. The SUV’s front end caved. The bicycle twisted, silent witness to the crash.

According to the police report, a cyclist turning left on Atlantic Avenue was struck head-on by a westbound Honda SUV. The impact ejected the 32-year-old male cyclist from his bike, leaving him semiconscious and bleeding severely from the head. The report notes that the SUV’s front end caved in, while the bicycle was left twisted at the scene. Police cite 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, highlighting driver error as central to the crash. The narrative describes blood pooling from the cyclist’s head and confirms he was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the driver’s actions. Systemic danger persists on Atlantic Avenue, where vulnerable road users face lethal force from vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710546 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 17 - Seven Brooklyn officials urge DOT to clear cars from corners. They want boulders, planters, and bike corrals—not just paint. Their call follows deadly crashes. They press the city to use state law and federal funds. DOT promises review. Advocates back the push.

On January 17, 2024, seven Brooklyn elected officials—including Council Member Shahana Hanif, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assembly Members Marcela Mitaynes, Jo Anne Simon, Robert Carroll, and State Senators Zellnor Myrie and Andrew Gounardes—issued a joint letter to the NYC Department of Transportation. They called for 'universal daylighting with hardened materials such as boulders, planters, and bike corrals' at intersections. The officials cited recent fatal crashes and urged the city to opt into a state law banning parking within 20 feet of corners. They want federal funds used for these changes. The group opposes DOT’s slow pace and reliance on paint, demanding physical barriers. Community board leaders and advocates support the move. DOT says it will review the letter and remains committed to evidence-based daylighting.

• Seven Brooklyn Electeds Join Growing Calls For Universal Daylighting, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-17

Nov 22 - A Jeep rear-ended a diesel truck on Atlantic Avenue. The SUV’s front crumpled. The truck barely moved. An 88-year-old woman, belted in the front seat, died inside the wreck. She never made it out. Impact was sudden. Death was total.

A Jeep SUV struck the rear of a diesel tractor truck on Atlantic Avenue near Clinton Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'A Jeep rear-ended a diesel truck. The SUV’s front folded. The truck barely moved. An 88-year-old woman, belted in the front seat, died. Her body shattered inside the car. She never got out.' The crash killed the elderly front-seat passenger. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor. The passenger was wearing a lap belt and harness. No driver errors by the truck operator are listed. The force of the collision left the SUV destroyed at the front, while the truck sustained rear-end damage but remained largely unmoved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4681770 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 13 - A 46-year-old man crossed Fort Hamilton Parkway. An SUV struck him in the crosswalk. His skull was crushed. Two cars rolled on. The man died where he fell. Brooklyn pavement kept his silence.

A 46-year-old pedestrian was killed on Fort Hamilton Parkway near 37th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the man was crossing against the signal when a southbound SUV struck him, crushing his skull. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as contributing factors. The man suffered fatal head injuries. Two vehicles were involved, both traveling south. The police report states, 'A southbound SUV crushed his skull beneath its frame. Two cars kept moving. Only the man stopped. Forever.' The data highlights driver inattention as a key factor in this deadly crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4678904 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 25 - Councilmember Robert Carroll blasted the proposed congestion pricing fees for taxis and Ubers. He called the charges a joke. Experts warn the low surcharges could flood Lower Manhattan with more cars. The plan risks more danger for people on foot and bike.

On October 25, 2023, Councilmember Robert Carroll (District 44) criticized the Traffic Mobility Review Board’s congestion pricing proposal. The plan recommends a $1.50 per-ride fee for taxis and $2.75 for Uber and Lyft in Lower Manhattan. Carroll tweeted, 'TMRB's recommendation to charge passengers of @Uber/@lyft an additional $1/$2 to be ferried around the congestion zone is a joke.' He argued these low fees would not curb for-hire vehicle trips, saying, 'We can't stop congestion if we don't limit FHV trips.' The matter, titled 'Analysis: Congestion Pricing Fee May Be Too Low for Taxi and Uber Riders,' highlights a split: some experts want higher surcharges to push riders to transit, while others want yellow cabs exempted. The debate centers on how pricing shapes traffic and, by extension, the safety of vulnerable road users in crowded city streets.

• Analysis: Congestion Pricing Fee May Be Too Low for Taxi and Uber Riders, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-10-25

Oct 25 - The Traffic Mobility Review Board wants low per-ride fees for taxis and Ubers in Lower Manhattan. Critics say the charges are too weak. Cheap surcharges could push more cars into crowded streets, squeezing out walkers and cyclists. The city risks more danger, not less.

This policy debate centers on congestion pricing surcharges for taxis and for-hire vehicles (FHVs) in New York City. The Traffic Mobility Review Board (TMRB) proposed per-ride fees—$1.50 for taxis, $2.75 for Uber/Lyft—far below the full congestion toll. Assemblymember Robert Carroll called the charges 'a joke,' arguing, 'We can't stop congestion if we don't limit FHV trips. Taxis shld be exempt & FHVs shld pay more.' Bruce Schaller, a former DOT official, warned, 'If you have a low fee for the taxis and the for-hires, people just switch modes.' Charles Komanoff and Sam Schwartz both support exempting yellow cabs, citing economic hardship and market imbalance. The TMRB's focus on keeping tolls low may undermine efforts to reduce traffic and protect vulnerable road users. No board member addressed the impact on street safety or congestion.

• Analysis: Congestion Pricing Fee May Be Too Low for Taxi and Uber Riders, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-25

Oct 1 - A speeding electric sedan hit a parked Jeep on Flatbush. The unbelted driver flew out. A helmeted woman in back was torn at the leg. Both bled on the street, awake and broken. Driver inexperience marked the crash.

An electric sedan struck a parked Jeep near 450 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the sedan's driver was ejected and suffered severe facial lacerations. A woman in the rear seat, wearing a helmet, was partially ejected and suffered severe leg wounds. Both victims were conscious but badly injured. The police report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. The driver was not wearing any safety equipment. The woman in back wore a helmet, but the crash's force left both bleeding and still. No pedestrians or bystanders were reported hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4666944 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 18 - Assembly bill A 7979 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets triggers a speed limiter. Lawmakers move to curb repeat danger. No more unchecked speeding. Streets demand it.

Assembly bill A 7979, now in sponsorship, sits before the New York State Assembly. Introduced August 18, 2023, it 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during an eighteen month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Assemblymember Emily Gallagher leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, Tony Simone, Jo Anne Simon, and others. The bill aims to force chronic speeders to slow down. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear: rein in repeat offenders, protect those outside the car.

• File A 7979, Open States, Published 2023-08-18

Jul 28 - A Nissan SUV struck a northbound moped from behind on Washington Avenue. The moped rider, helmeted and unlicensed, suffered a shattered pelvis. The SUV’s bumper split. The street fell silent. Driver inattention marked the crash.

A Nissan SUV rear-ended a northbound moped on Washington Avenue. The moped rider, a 50-year-old man, was helmeted but unlicensed. He sustained severe crush injuries to his pelvis and remained conscious at the scene. According to the police report, 'A Nissan SUV crushed into the rear of a northbound moped. The rider, 50, unlicensed but helmeted, lay conscious with a shattered pelvis.' The SUV’s bumper split from the impact. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The moped rider’s helmet use is noted, but the primary cause remains the SUV driver’s inattention. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4650160 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 21 - New York stands firm on congestion pricing. New Jersey sues. Assemblymember Carroll calls the suit a stunt. Officials defend the plan’s review. The fight is sharp. Streets remain dangerous. Vulnerable road users wait for real change.

On July 21, 2023, Assemblymember Robert Carroll (District 44) responded to New Jersey’s lawsuit against New York’s congestion pricing plan. The matter, titled “New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues,” saw Carroll label the suit a 'stunt' and accuse Governor Murphy of ignoring environmental and quality-of-life concerns. State Senator Andrew Gounardes called the lawsuit a cynical move to control New York’s roads. MTA officials, including John McCarthy, defended the environmental review, citing extensive outreach and public hearings. The bill’s status is an official response to legal challenge, not a council vote or committee action. No direct safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided. The debate underscores the ongoing struggle to make streets safer for those outside cars.

• New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-07-21

Jul 21 - New York leaders stand firm on congestion pricing. They dismiss New Jersey’s lawsuit as political theater. Officials say the environmental review was thorough. The MTA promises mitigation for affected communities. The fight centers on who controls city streets and who pays the price.

On July 21, 2023, New York officials responded to a lawsuit from New Jersey over congestion pricing. The matter, titled 'New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues,' saw Governor Kathy Hochul, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Assemblymember Robert Carroll defend the plan. Gounardes called the suit 'a cynical attempt' by New Jersey to interfere. Carroll labeled it 'a stunt.' MTA spokesperson John McCarthy said the environmental assessment 'covered every conceivable potential traffic, air quality, social and economic effect.' The MTA also pledged mitigation for environmental justice communities. The bill’s status is active, with strong support from New York’s leadership and ongoing opposition from New Jersey.

• New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-21

Jul 18 - Brooklyn officials demand equal tolls on all Manhattan crossings. They warn free bridges funnel traffic into certain neighborhoods. Their letter calls for fairness. The MTA stays silent. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide. Streets hang in the balance.

On July 18, 2023, Council Member Shahana Hanif and other Brooklyn officials called for 'equalized tolling on all crossings into Manhattan' as congestion pricing nears. Their letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board states: 'No one community should disproportionately bear the burden of the cars and trucks passing through their neighborhood.' Hanif, along with Lincoln Restler, Alexa Avilés, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Crystal Hudson, joined borough, state, and federal colleagues in this push. They propose a credit system to balance costs between DOT bridges and MTA tunnels, aiming to protect neighborhoods like the Brooklyn waterfront and the BQE corridor from traffic surges. The MTA declined comment. The Board will soon set final toll rates and rules. The federal government has approved the congestion pricing plan, with tolls for cars expected between $9 and $23. Over 100 exemption requests, including from taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers, are under review.

• Pols call for ‘equalized tolling’ on all crossings into Manhattan under congestion pricing on eve of board deliberations, amny.com, Published 2023-07-18

Jun 30 - A man on a motorcycle hit an SUV on Caton Avenue. He flew from the bike and struck the pavement head-first. He died at the scene. The SUV driver was not hurt. The crash left the street scarred and silent.

A 35-year-old man riding a motorcycle slammed into the side of an SUV on Caton Avenue near Dahill Road in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the motorcyclist was unlicensed and not wearing a helmet. He was ejected from the motorcycle, struck his head, and died on the street. The SUV driver was unharmed. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The data also notes the motorcyclist disregarded traffic control. The crash involved a motorcycle and an SUV, both traveling straight. The impact was severe, with the motorcycle hitting the SUV's right side doors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4643200 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 29 - Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie refused to bring Sammy's Law to a vote. The bill would let New York City lower speed limits. Advocates fasted. Lawmakers argued. The Senate passed it. The Assembly did not. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain at risk.

Sammy's Law, a bill to grant New York City 'home rule' over its speed limits, failed in the Assembly on June 29, 2023. The Senate passed it, but Speaker Carl Heastie did not bring it to a vote in the Assembly, despite 60 co-sponsors and strong support from city lawmakers, Governor Hochul, and Mayor Adams. The bill, named for 12-year-old Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a speeding driver, would have allowed the city to lower most speed limits from 25 to 20 mph. Heastie cited concerns over e-bikes and speed bumps, saying, 'I'm not a dictator.' Advocates, including Sammy's mother Amy Cohen, condemned the move as 'Albany backroom politics at its worst.' The Department of Transportation called the bill vital for targeted street safety. Vulnerable road users remain exposed as the Assembly stalls action.

• 'I'm not a dictator': Assembly speaker reveals why NYC speed limit bill failed, gothamist.com, Published 2023-06-29

Jun 21 - Assembly Member Robert Carroll wants Uber and Lyft passengers to pay congestion fees, not drivers. He argues riders are wealthier. The MTA’s plan faces pushback. Advocates warn exempting cabs could shift traffic, undermining safety and policy goals.

On June 21, 2023, Assembly Member Robert Carroll (District 44) weighed in on congestion pricing for taxis and for-hire vehicles (FHVs). The Traffic Mobility Review Board and MTA are debating whether to charge drivers or passengers. Carroll, joined by advocate Alex Matthiessen, proposed replacing the $2.75 FHV surcharge with a two-tiered fee on Uber/Lyft passengers, exempting drivers and yellow cabs. Carroll said, "We think that this will go to the passengers who are disproportionately wealthier than the average New Yorker and significantly wealthier than the driver." The MTA has not considered this per-trip customer fee, and it is unclear if it can be implemented. Taxi advocates support exempting drivers, but experts warn that exempting yellow cabs could shift congestion, undermining the policy’s intent. The debate continues in committee, with no final decision.

• Will Congestion Pricing Properly Toll Taxis and Ubers?, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-06-21

Jun 21 - Lawmakers debate who pays Manhattan’s congestion tolls—drivers or passengers. Some want to exempt yellow cabs and drivers, shifting costs to wealthier riders. Critics warn loopholes could push more cars onto crowded streets, risking more crashes for people on foot and bike.

This policy debate centers on congestion pricing in Manhattan, with proposals aired on June 21, 2023. The Traffic Mobility Review Board must decide if yellow cab and Uber/Lyft drivers will be tolled, or if only passengers will pay. Assembly Member Robert Carroll and advocate Alex Matthiessen back a higher passenger surcharge for Uber/Lyft rides, exempting drivers and yellow cabs. Carroll argues, 'passengers are disproportionately wealthier than the average New Yorker and significantly wealthier than the driver.' Taxi advocate Bhairavi Desai supports exempting drivers to protect jobs. Economist Charles Komanoff and analyst Bruce Schaller warn that exempting yellow cabs could shift congestion, undermining safety and policy goals. The matter’s outcome will shape who pays—and who faces the danger—on Manhattan’s streets.

• Will Congestion Pricing Properly Toll Taxis and Ubers?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-21