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

A city bus swerved to dodge a double-parked car. It crashed through a wall and dangled over a Bronx overpass. No one was hurt. Debris rained down. The city’s parking chaos left concrete cracked and nerves frayed.

NY1 reported on January 17, 2025, that a BxM1 MTA bus partially drove off the Henry Hudson Parkway overpass near Kappock Street after the driver swerved to avoid a double-parked car. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz stated, "We’re told by the MTA that the bus was trying to get around an illegally double-parked car, and he hit the wall and went through it." The crash damaged the overpass wall and scattered debris onto the street below. No injuries were reported, though conflicting accounts left passenger presence unclear. City Councilman Eric Dinowitz highlighted the broader issue: "We’re seeing all over the city parking regulations not being enforced." The incident underscores the risks posed by illegal parking and the need for stricter enforcement and infrastructure checks.

• MTA Bus Hangs Off Bronx Overpass, NY1, Published 2025-01-17

Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

Senate bill S 1675 would force carmakers to face the facts. Every vehicle gets a pedestrian safety score. The public sees it. No more hiding danger behind steel and glass.

Senate bill S 1675, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 13, 2025, it aims to 'create a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles which shall be posted on the department of motor vehicles' website.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The bill demands transparency. It would show the public which cars endanger walkers and which spare them. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the intent is clear: expose the risk, protect the vulnerable.

• File S 1675, Open States, Published 2025-01-13

Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Senate bill S 131 demands complete street design for state-funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. Guidance will go public. Streets could change. Pedestrians and cyclists stand to gain.

Senate bill S 131 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force safer street planning. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by co-sponsors Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Leroy Comrie, Jeremy Cooney, Nathalia Fernandez, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Robert Jackson, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, Christopher Ryan, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish guidance on street design. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 131, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

SUV hit sedan from behind on Bruckner Expressway. Woman driving sedan suffered head injury and whiplash. Both cars damaged. No pedestrians or cyclists involved. Impact left one driver hurt.

According to the police report, a northbound SUV rear-ended a sedan on Bruckner Expressway at 17:55. The sedan's driver, a 47-year-old woman, suffered head trauma and whiplash. She was conscious and secured by a lap belt and harness. Both vehicles showed front and rear damage. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified. The SUV's action of striking the sedan's rear points to a failure to maintain control or distance. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left one vulnerable road user injured inside her vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782876 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped rider suffered full-body abrasions when an SUV executing an improper U-turn struck the vehicle’s left rear quarter panel. The collision happened in the Bronx, leaving the moped driver injured but conscious, with no ejection reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:44 AM in the Bronx near Southern Boulevard. A 32-year-old male moped driver, holding a permit license, was traveling northeast going straight ahead when a 2008 SUV, also traveling northeast, made an improper U-turn. The SUV struck the moped on its left rear quarter panel, causing center front end damage to the moped. The moped driver sustained abrasions to his entire body and was injured but conscious. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor, highlighting the SUV driver's error. The moped driver was not ejected and no other contributing factors were specified. This crash underscores the dangers posed by improper vehicle maneuvers in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782212 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan making an improper U-turn struck another sedan traveling northbound in the Bronx. The left rear passenger in the struck vehicle suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. Driver inattention and improper turning led to the collision and injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in the Bronx at the intersection near 1008 Garrison Avenue around midnight. A 2013 Nissan sedan, driven by a licensed female driver from New Jersey, was making a U-turn when it collided with a northbound 2025 Acura sedan. The impact occurred on the left front bumper of the Nissan and the left rear quarter panel of the Acura. The Acura carried four occupants; the left rear passenger, a 25-year-old male, sustained abrasions to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The police report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors from the Nissan driver. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving and improper turning maneuvers in urban traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782213 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 57-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured when an SUV making a left turn collided with him in the Bronx. The crash caused abrasions and lower leg injuries. Driver inattention was cited as the primary contributing factor.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:43 in the Bronx near Prospect Avenue. A 2009 SUV, traveling north and making a left turn, struck a northbound bicyclist at the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist, a 57-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report identifies driver inattention and distraction as the primary contributing factors to the collision. The SUV driver was licensed and had two occupants in the vehicle. The bicyclist was not using any safety equipment at the time of the crash. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted. The impact caused damage to the SUV's right front bumper and the bike's center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781534 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan traveling east on Whittier Street struck a parked box truck. Two male passengers suffered moderate injuries including leg and hip trauma. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as critical factors in the collision.

According to the police report, at 13:37 on Whittier Street in the Bronx, a 2013 Honda sedan traveling east struck a parked 2013 Hyundai box truck. The sedan's right front bumper impacted the truck's left front bumper. The sedan carried three occupants; two male passengers, ages 46 and 39, sustained moderate injuries including knee, lower leg, foot, and hip trauma. Both passengers were restrained with lap belts and were not ejected. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted. The box truck was unoccupied and parked at the time of impact. This collision underscores the dangers posed by driver distraction when navigating around stationary vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780997 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A distracted driver in an SUV struck a sedan on Tiffany Street in the Bronx. The sedan’s driver, a 63-year-old woman, suffered head injuries and shock. The crash involved slippery pavement and caused significant vehicle damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:49 on Tiffany Street in the Bronx. The driver of the SUV, a licensed female driver from New York, was slowing or stopping when she collided with the rear of a westbound sedan. The sedan, driven by a 63-year-old woman, sustained center front end damage. The sedan driver was injured, suffering head trauma and shock, and complained of pain or nausea. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, along with slippery pavement conditions. The SUV driver’s distraction was a key cause of the collision. The sedan driver was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and adverse road conditions in Bronx traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780907 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 58-year-old woman was injured crossing E 166 St in the Bronx. A southbound sedan hit her with its front center, damaging the vehicle’s right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries, remaining conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 58-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing E 166 St outside an intersection or crosswalk. The collision occurred at 5:30 pm in the Bronx. A southbound 2017 Honda sedan, driven by a licensed male driver, struck the pedestrian with its center front end, causing damage to the vehicle's right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as moderate (injury severity 3), and was conscious after the impact. The report lists no specific driver contributing factors such as failure to yield or speeding, but the pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. Both contributing factors for the pedestrian are unspecified. The data highlights the dangers posed by vehicle movements outside controlled crossing areas, emphasizing the critical role of driver vigilance in such environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778722 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A pick-up truck traveling west on Oak Point Ave collided with another vehicle, injuring the driver and two passengers. Police cite aggressive driving and traffic control disregard as key factors. All occupants suffered moderate injuries and shock.

According to the police report, a 2022 Ford pick-up truck traveling west on Oak Point Ave in the Bronx struck another vehicle with its right rear quarter panel at 9:52 AM. The report identifies aggressive driving and road rage as primary contributing factors, along with traffic control disregard. The driver, a 37-year-old male, and two passengers, aged 28 and 36, were injured, all experiencing shock and complaints of pain or nausea. Injuries included back trauma for the driver and knee, lower leg, and foot injuries for the passengers. The driver was licensed in New York and was going straight ahead before the collision. The report explicitly highlights driver errors—aggressive driving and failure to obey traffic controls—as the cause, with no contributing victim behaviors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778804 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi making a U-turn on Southern Blvd in the Bronx struck a southbound sedan. The sedan driver suffered back injuries and shock, reporting pain and nausea. The taxi’s left rear bumper and sedan’s front end were damaged in the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:00 AM on Southern Blvd near Longwood Ave in the Bronx. The taxi, traveling north, was making a U-turn when it collided with a southbound sedan going straight ahead. The point of impact was the taxi’s left rear bumper and the sedan’s center front end. The sedan driver, a 45-year-old male, was injured with back pain and reported shock, nausea, and pain. He was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report lists the contributing factors for the sedan driver as 'Unspecified.' No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield are cited, but the taxi’s U-turn maneuver directly preceded the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778721 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided on Southern Boulevard in the Bronx. The impact struck the right side doors of one vehicle and the left front bumper of the other. A front-seat passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash, remaining conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:29 on Southern Boulevard in the Bronx. One sedan was traveling straight south when it was struck on the right side doors. The other sedan was making a U-turn, impacting the first vehicle with its left front bumper. Both vehicles sustained damage at their points of impact. The front-seat passenger in the first vehicle, a 53-year-old woman, was injured with back pain and whiplash but remained conscious. She was secured with a lap belt and harness. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors, but the collision involved a vehicle making a U-turn and another traveling straight, indicating a failure in maneuvering or yielding. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778207 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided at Spofford Ave in the Bronx. A 51-year-old female driver suffered neck injuries and shock. The crash involved one vehicle making a left turn and another going straight. No explicit driver errors were cited in the report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Spofford Ave in the Bronx at 4:00 PM. The collision involved two sedans: one traveling east going straight ahead and the other traveling north making a left turn. The point of impact was the center front end of the eastbound vehicle and the left front bumper of the northbound vehicle. A 51-year-old female driver was injured, suffering neck pain and shock, and was not ejected from her vehicle. The report lists her contributing factors as unspecified, and no explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited. The northbound driver was licensed and operating a 2001 Honda sedan. The report does not indicate any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior or safety equipment use.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776803 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Toyota SUV crashed into a parked Honda on Hewitt Place. Flames erupted. The Honda’s driver, thirty-four, burned and injured, stayed conscious. Smoke and pain filled the Bronx street. Driver inattention marked the moment of impact.

According to the police report, a Toyota SUV traveling west on Hewitt Place in the Bronx struck a parked Honda SUV from behind. The collision caused a fire to break out in the Honda. The driver of the Honda, a 34-year-old man, suffered severe burns and back injuries but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The Honda was stationary at the time, and no victim actions are cited as contributing factors. The impact and subsequent fire transformed a quiet street into a scene of chaos and pain, underscoring the dangers posed by driver distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774754 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 30-year-old woman suffered neck injuries after a sedan made a left turn and struck her at an intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. The driver’s failure to yield and other vehicular factors caused the collision in the Bronx.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old female pedestrian was injured in the Bronx at Tiffany Street and Lafayette Avenue around 5 p.m. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2007 Ford sedan, traveling south and making a left turn, struck her with its right front bumper. The collision caused neck injuries classified as severity level 3. The report cites 'Other Vehicular' contributing factors twice, indicating driver errors related to vehicle operation. The sedan sustained damage to its center front end. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver failures to yield to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773597 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council weakened Adams’s zoning plan. Parking mandates stay in low-density zones. Central areas lose mandates. Housing projections drop. Some neighborhoods bear the burden. Car-centric rules persist. Vulnerable road users see little relief. The city’s streets remain dangerous.

""Taking into account the apprehensions of our constituents, the City Council balanced these concerns against the very real need to respond to the housing crisis this City is indisputably facing," said Council Member Rafael Salamanca of The Bronx. "In the process, we secured $5 billion in investments [in] a plan that makes New York City more affordable and sustainable."" -- Rafael Salamanca, Jr.

Bill: City of Yes zoning reform. Status: Amended and advanced by City Council on November 22, 2024. The Council’s action, described as 'watering down' the mayor’s plan, keeps mandatory parking in low-density neighborhoods while ending it in central areas. The matter summary states: 'ending mandatory parking in areas with the best transit while keeping the costly mandate in low-density neighborhoods where it most hinders development.' Council Member Crystal Hudson voted yes, urging all neighborhoods to share the housing burden. Council Member Kevin Riley defended single-family zones. Council Member Rafael Salamanca cited balancing concerns and securing $5 billion for affordable housing. Borough President Antonio Reynoso warned of increased housing pressure elsewhere. The Council’s changes preserve car-centric zoning, leaving vulnerable road users exposed and limiting progress on safer, less car-dependent streets.

• Analysis: Mayor Gets the ‘W,’ But Council Turns His Zoning Plan into ‘City Of Yes … Sort Of’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-22

A BMW sedan struck a 28-year-old man crossing E 163 St. The driver failed to yield and sped. The pedestrian suffered hip and leg abrasions. The crash left the car undamaged. Danger cut through the Bronx dusk.

According to the police report, a BMW sedan traveling northeast on E 163 St near Intervale Ave in the Bronx struck a 28-year-old male pedestrian at 18:29. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal at the intersection. The report lists the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained abrasions to his hip and upper leg and remained conscious at the scene. The sedan showed no damage despite the impact at its center front end. Driver errors—failure to yield and unsafe speed—are cited as primary causes. No other contributing factors were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773591 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04