Red Lights, Broken Bodies: The Bronx Bleeds While Leaders Stall

Council pushes for borough-based DOT teams. Staff must answer traffic requests fast. Response tied to need. Three-month deadline. Action targets slow fixes. Vulnerable road users wait less.

Int 0853-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on April 18, 2024. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to creating borough-based traffic request response teams,' requires the Department of Transportation to assign staff to each borough, matching staff numbers to request volume. Council Members Farah N. Louis (primary sponsor), Amanda Farías, and Rafael Salamanca, Jr. back the measure. The teams must respond to traffic requests within three months. The bill aims to cut delays that leave dangerous conditions unaddressed, giving vulnerable road users a better shot at safer streets.

• File Int 0853-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Two sedans collided on Longwood Avenue as one driver made an improper left turn. The impact struck the right side doors of the turning vehicle, injuring its driver with bruises and arm injuries. Both drivers were licensed men, no ejections occurred.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:50 on Longwood Avenue involving two sedans. One vehicle, traveling east, was making a left turn when it collided with a northbound sedan going straight ahead. The point of impact was the right side doors of the turning vehicle, which sustained damage to its right rear quarter panel. The driver of the turning sedan, a 39-year-old man wearing a lap belt, suffered contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. Both drivers were licensed, with no mention of victim fault or pedestrian involvement. The collision highlights the dangers posed by improper turning maneuvers in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717794 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Two vehicles collided on Bruckner Boulevard in the Bronx. Both drivers suffered contusions and bruises. The crash involved an SUV making an improper left turn and a sedan traveling straight. Injuries included chest and lower leg trauma.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:56 on Bruckner Boulevard near Longwood Avenue in the Bronx. A 2008 SUV was making a left turn when it collided with a 2007 sedan traveling northbound straight ahead. The point of impact was the SUV's right front bumper and the sedan's left front quarter panel, damaging the sedan's left side doors. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor for both drivers. Both drivers, males aged 52 and 22, were injured with contusions and bruises; one sustained chest injuries and the other knee and lower leg trauma. Both were conscious and wearing lap belts. The report does not list any victim behaviors contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717775 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-03-27

Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-03-27

A moped turning left collided with an eastbound SUV on Beck Street in the Bronx. Three men on the moped were injured, including one partially ejected passenger with fractures. The SUV driver sustained bruises. The crash caused serious lower leg injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:20 on Beck Street in the Bronx. A moped carrying three occupants was making a left turn when it collided with a Chevrolet SUV traveling straight east. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the SUV and the left front quarter panel of the moped. The moped passengers, all men aged 30, suffered injuries including fractures and dislocations, with one partially ejected from the vehicle. The SUV driver, a 23-year-old man, and the moped driver also sustained contusions and bruises. The report cites "Other Vehicular" as the contributing factor, indicating driver error but does not specify failure to yield or other explicit violations. None of the injured wore safety equipment. The collision highlights the dangers of left turns involving vulnerable multi-passenger mopeds and larger vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712697 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A taxi struck a 55-year-old woman crossing Longfellow Avenue. Driver inattention cited. The woman suffered serious hip and leg injuries. The crash left her conscious but hurt on the street.

According to the police report, a 55-year-old female pedestrian was struck by a northbound taxi on Longfellow Avenue in the Bronx at 14:25. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal when the taxi hit her with its center front end. She sustained serious injuries to her hip and upper leg and remained conscious after the impact. The taxi, a 2023 Toyota, showed no reported damage. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The police report highlights driver distraction as a key factor in this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712400 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-03-20

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-03-20

Council members blasted DOT for street redesigns that cut crashes and injuries. They claimed community harm, ignoring hard data. Bike lanes and safer streets faced political fire. DOT stood firm, citing lives saved and broad support. Vulnerable road users caught in the crossfire.

On March 19, 2024, the City Council held an oversight hearing on DOT street safety projects and Streets Plan implementation. The hearing, led by Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Queens), Christopher Banks (D-Brooklyn), and Rafael Salamanca Jr. (D-Bronx), focused on the DOT's progress under the Streets Plan, which mandates annual targets for protected bike lanes and bus lanes. Brooks-Powers objected to the Seagirt Boulevard bike lane, claiming DOT ignored community wishes, despite previously calling for more investment. Banks demanded removal of new protected bike lanes in East New York, citing parking and safety issues, though data showed fewer crashes and injuries. Salamanca criticized a Bronx street redesign for congestion, despite lower crash rates. He also accused DOT of neglecting communities of color, though data shows these areas receive more redesigns. DOT officials defended their process, emphasizing community engagement and prioritizing high-need areas. The council's opposition stands in stark contrast to the projects' proven safety benefits for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Cycle of Rage: Council Members Slam DOT for Successful Safety Projects, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-19

Council bill demands DOT fix NYCHA sidewalks first. Seniors come before all. Broken walks trip, injure, kill. Law forces city to show its work. No more hiding behind red tape.

Bill Int 0504-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 7, 2024. It orders the DOT to prioritize sidewalk repairs at NYCHA sites, with senior housing first. The bill summary reads: 'establishing priority for sidewalk repairs at developments operated by the New York city housing authority.' Sponsors include Alexa Avilés (primary), Shaun Abreu, Shahana K. Hanif, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Sandy Nurse, Jennifer Gutiérrez, Pierina Ana Sanchez, Lincoln Restler, Rafael Salamanca, Jr., and Farah N. Louis. The law also requires public reporting of repairs and timelines. Sidewalk neglect endangers NYCHA residents—this bill aims to force action and transparency.

• File Int 0504-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Council wants every e-bike and scooter tagged and tracked. Plates on wheels. Riders face new rules. Lawmakers say it’s about order. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait.

Int 0606-2024 was introduced on March 7, 2024, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring that every bicycle with electric assist, electric scooter and other legal motorized vehicle be licensed and registered," would force all e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles not covered by DMV rules to register with DOT and display visible plates. Council Member Inna Vernikov is the primary sponsor, joined by 26 co-sponsors including Holden, Farías, Riley, and others. The bill was laid over in committee and has not advanced. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• File Int 0606-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Council targets fake and expired plates. Bill sets fines. Ten-day grace for expired tags. Crackdown aims at cars that dodge law and endanger streets. Committee on Public Safety holds the measure.

Int 0177-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle with fraudulent or expired license plates,' makes it illegal to drive with fake or expired plates, including temporary ones. Civil penalties apply, but drivers with expired plates get a 10-day cure period. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Salamanca, Powers, Restler, Won, Brewer, Schulman, Ung, Marte, Hudson, Avilés, De La Rosa, and the Brooklyn Borough President. The bill targets drivers who hide behind illegal plates, a tactic often linked to hit-and-runs and reckless driving.

• File Int 0177-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

A southbound SUV overturned on Bruckner Boulevard after colliding with a left-turning tractor truck. The SUV driver suffered a severe arm injury. Police cite driver inattention and improper lane usage as key factors in the crash.

At 9:17 PM on Bruckner Boulevard in the Bronx, a collision occurred involving a southbound SUV and a tractor truck making a left turn, according to the police report. The SUV driver, a 38-year-old man, was injured with a fractured and dislocated elbow, sustaining a severe arm injury. The SUV overturned upon impact, striking the truck's right rear quarter panel with its center front end. The report identifies driver errors including 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The SUV driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and was not ejected. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash highlights the dangers of improper passing and distracted driving on busy Bronx roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703875 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 63-year-old woman crossing Bryant Avenue in the Bronx was struck by a northbound SUV. The driver’s inattention and inexperience caused the collision. The pedestrian suffered serious lower leg injuries but remained conscious after impact.

According to the police report, a 63-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Bryant Avenue in the Bronx at approximately 7:40 PM. The pedestrian was struck by a 2001 Honda SUV traveling northbound, which was going straight ahead. The point of impact was the vehicle’s center front end. The report cites driver inattention and distraction as primary contributing factors, along with driver inexperience. The pedestrian was crossing outside of a signal or crosswalk area and sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. She remained conscious after the collision. The vehicle sustained other damage but no further details were provided. The report does not attribute any fault or contributing factors to the pedestrian. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted and inexperienced drivers to vulnerable road users in the Bronx.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4705602 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Two SUVs slammed together at East 167th and Fox. One turned left, one barreled straight. Alcohol in the mix. A 36-year-old woman thrown from her vehicle, leg torn, blood pooling. Airbag burst. She stayed awake as the city roared on.

According to the police report, two station wagons/SUVs collided head-on at the corner of East 167th Street and Fox Street in the Bronx at 21:35. One vehicle, a 2018 Honda SUV, was making a left turn while the other, a 2005 Toyota SUV, was traveling straight. The report explicitly lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor in the crash. The impact was severe: a 36-year-old woman, driving one of the vehicles, was ejected and suffered severe lacerations to her leg. She remained conscious at the scene, with blood visible on the street and her airbag deployed. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The collision underscores the lethal consequences when alcohol and driver error intersect on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703076 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-02-13

Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-02-13

Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-02-13

Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-02-13