Bronx Blood on Their Hands: Lower the Speed or Count the Dead

Council moves to expand Open Streets on busy holidays. More hours. More car-free blocks. Pedestrians and cyclists get space when crowds surge. Streets shift from traffic to people. Danger drops. The city listens to neighborhoods.

Bill Int 0270-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it amends city code to require the Department of Transportation to expand Open Streets hours on holidays with heavy foot traffic—Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day, Halloween, and others. The bill reads: 'special activation of the Open Streets program on certain holidays and time periods with significant pedestrian traffic.' Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rivera, Brooks-Powers, Louis, Nurse, Ossé, Sanchez, Cabán, Banks, Avilés, Riley, Salaam, Hanif, Feliz, Won, Restler, and Joseph. Community groups can suggest more dates. The city must review all requests under the same standards as regular Open Streets. This bill aims to give people the street when they need it most.

• File Int 0270-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council bill demands NYPD track every time cops use cars as weapons. No more hiding behind vague stats. Each crash, each injury, must be counted. The city moves closer to truth.

Int 0255-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Member Lincoln Restler and co-sponsored by Hudson, Won, Hanif, Bottcher, Brewer, Avilés, Abreu, Ossé, Krishnan, Williams, Cabán, Nurse, Sanchez, and at the Brooklyn Borough President's request. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to use of force incidents involving police department use of a motor vehicle.' It forces the NYPD to report every use of a car to control a subject. No more lumping these acts with other force. The bill aims for hard numbers and real accountability. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, passengers—will no longer be invisible in police data.

• File Int 0255-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council bill orders speed humps on roads beside parks over one acre. DOT can skip spots if safety or rules demand. Law aims to slow cars where families walk, run, and play.

Int 0262-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill reads: “requiring the installation of speed humps on roadways adjacent to any park equal or greater than one acre.” Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by eighteen co-sponsors. The Department of Transportation must install speed humps unless the commissioner finds a risk to safety or a conflict with DOT guidelines. The law would take effect 180 days after passage. The measure targets streets where parks meet traffic, aiming to slow cars and shield people outside vehicles.

• File Int 0262-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council urges Albany to pass SAFE Streets Act. Lower speed limits. Rights for crash victims. Safe passing for cyclists. Complete streets. City demands action as deaths rise. Streets remain deadly. Lawmakers must act.

Resolution 0090-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it calls on the state to pass S.2422 ('Sammy’s Law') and A.1901, part of the SAFE Streets Act. The matter title: 'Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.2422... allowing New York city to establish a lower speed limit, and A.1901, enacting a crash victims bill of rights.' Council Member Shahana K. Hanif leads, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Nurse, and others. The resolution demands lower speed limits, crash victim rights, safe passing for cyclists, and complete street design. It cites rising traffic deaths and the failure of current measures. The Council wants Albany to give the city real power to protect people on its streets.

• File Res 0090-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council passed a law forcing taxis and for-hire cars to post bold warnings on doors. The signs tell passengers: look for cyclists before you open up. A small step. The city hands out the decals. No cost to drivers.

Int 0193-2024 became law on May 31, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' was sponsored by Lincoln Restler and co-sponsored by over twenty council members, including Gutiérrez, Hudson, and Rivera. The law mandates clear warning decals on all rear passenger doors of taxis and for-hire vehicles. The Taxi and Limousine Commission will provide the signs at no cost. The measure aims to cut down on 'dooring'—a threat to cyclists citywide. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it became law.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

A 71-year-old woman, crossing Jerome Avenue with the signal, was struck and left bleeding in the crosswalk. The driver vanished. Blood marked the intersection. No name, no car, only the echo of impact and silence.

According to the police report, a 71-year-old woman was crossing Jerome Avenue at East Burnside Avenue in the Bronx, using the crosswalk and following the signal, when she was struck by a vehicle. The report states she was found unconscious, suffering severe lacerations and injuries to her entire body. The driver did not remain at the scene; the vehicle and its operator vanished, leaving no identifying information. The narrative notes: 'A 71-year-old woman lay unconscious in the crosswalk, blood on the pavement, body torn. She crossed with the signal. A vehicle struck her and vanished.' The police report does not list any contributing factors for the driver, but the act of fleeing the scene after striking a pedestrian in a crosswalk underscores the systemic danger faced by vulnerable road users. The victim’s compliance with the crossing signal is noted only after the driver’s failure to remain at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4705544 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 57-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by a backing SUV distracted by the driver. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The vehicle showed no damage, highlighting the subtle but severe impact of driver inattention.

According to the police report, a 57-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing East Burnside Avenue with the signal. The crash occurred at 14:04 when a 2013 Ford SUV, traveling southeast, was backing and struck her. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor twice, emphasizing the driver's failure to maintain awareness during the backing maneuver. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3, and remained conscious. The vehicle sustained no damage, indicating a low-speed impact but significant harm to the pedestrian. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the distraction led to this dangerous collision at an intersection. No pedestrian fault or helmet use was noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4704209 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 73-year-old woman driving an SUV in the Bronx suffered injuries after a crash caused by her inattention. The impact struck the vehicle’s left front bumper. She was wearing a lap belt and harness, but her emotional state was incoherent at the scene.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:40 AM near 10 Richman Plaza in the Bronx. The sole occupant, a 73-year-old female driver of a 2011 SUV, was injured when her vehicle’s left front bumper sustained damage. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating the driver’s failure to maintain focus led to the collision. The driver was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. Her emotional status was recorded as incoherent, and the injury severity was classified as level 3. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved or injured. This incident highlights the dangers of driver distraction even without external road user involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703657 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

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

Council moves to force brighter sidewalks. Bill orders 500 corridors lit each year. Shadows shrink. Pedestrians gain ground. Committee holds the bill. Streets wait.

Int 0079-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 8, 2024. The bill demands the city install pedestrian lighting in at least 500 commercial corridors per year, aiming for a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) on every sidewalk. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installation of pedestrian lighting fixtures.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Krishnan, Bottcher, and others. The committee has not yet voted. The bill’s text sets clear targets for coverage and contiguity, but action is stalled. Vulnerable road users remain in the dark until the city acts.

• File Int 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

A 43-year-old man suffered full-body injuries and shock after a sedan hit him while crossing Grand Concourse in the Bronx. The impact occurred at the vehicle's right front bumper. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing without a signal.

According to the police report, a 43-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Toyota sedan traveling south on Grand Concourse struck him with its right front bumper. The pedestrian was crossing outside an intersection and without a crossing signal. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not assign fault to the pedestrian. The sedan was going straight ahead at the time of impact, and the vehicle sustained damage to its right front quarter panel. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The driver's license was valid and issued in New York. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield were cited, but the pedestrian's crossing location and lack of signal use are noted as context.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700901 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

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 2024-01-30

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 2024-01-30

A bus struck a sedan from behind on University Avenue. Ten people hurt. Head, neck, limb, and face injuries. One lost consciousness. Metal and glass. No escape.

According to the police report, a southbound bus on University Avenue struck the rear of a northbound sedan. The crash injured ten people: the sedan's 26-year-old female driver and nine passengers aged 19 to 68. Injuries included bruises and contusions to the head, neck, knee, leg, foot, face, and shoulder. One occupant lost consciousness, which the report lists as a contributing factor. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are noted. All occupants were conscious after the crash, and none were ejected. The report states the bus was stopped in traffic before impact, and the collision was caused by the bus hitting the sedan from behind.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4704203 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 21-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan struck him at an intersection on East 188 Street. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing the pedestrian to sustain contusions and bruises with no vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on East 188 Street struck a 21-year-old male pedestrian at an intersection. The pedestrian was conscious but injured, suffering contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor by the vehicle driver. The sedan was going straight ahead and impacted the pedestrian with its center front end, yet the vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian's actions are listed as unknown, and no contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. The crash time was 16:50. This incident highlights the driver's failure to yield as the primary cause of injury to the vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4698661 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 26-year-old man, unlicensed and unhelmeted, slammed his motorscooter head-on at Grand Concourse and East 184th. His skull split. Blood pooled. He lay conscious, gasping, deep cuts across his head. The morning was still dark.

A violent crash unfolded on Grand Concourse at East 184th in the Bronx. According to the police report, a 26-year-old man, operating a motorscooter without a license and without a helmet, crashed head-on. The report describes the aftermath: 'His skull split. Blood pooled on the street. He lay conscious, gasping, deep cuts across his head.' The incident occurred while it was still dark. The police report lists the driver's unlicensed status and lack of helmet as facts, but does not cite any other contributing factors. No other vehicles or persons were involved. The focus remains on the systemic danger of unlicensed, unprotected operation of motor vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699571 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A sedan hit a 21-year-old cyclist on East 183 Street. The rider suffered bruises to his knee and foot. Police cited driver inexperience. The crash exposes the city’s danger to those outside a car.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on East 183 Street near Grand Concourse in the Bronx struck a 21-year-old male bicyclist heading south. The cyclist suffered contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. Police listed 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor in the crash. The report does not indicate any fault or error by the bicyclist. This collision highlights the risk inexperienced drivers pose to vulnerable road users in New York City.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4697738 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A northbound SUV struck a 64-year-old man crossing outside the intersection on Grand Concourse. The impact bruised and injured his whole body. He stayed conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, a 64-year-old male pedestrian was struck by a northbound Jeep SUV merging on Grand Concourse in the Bronx at 18:04. The vehicle hit the pedestrian with its center front end, causing contusions and injuries to his entire body. The pedestrian remained conscious after the collision. The report lists no explicit driver errors, but notes the SUV was merging before impact. No contributing factors are specified for the driver. The pedestrian was crossing outside an intersection. No helmet or signal use is mentioned.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4697743 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 37-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by a sedan on Webster Avenue in the Bronx. The vehicle’s right front bumper hit her knee and lower leg, causing abrasions. The driver’s aggressive driving and unsafe speed led to the injury.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old female pedestrian was injured at an intersection on Webster Avenue in the Bronx while crossing with the signal. The collision occurred at 7:00 PM when a 2023 Dodge sedan traveling east struck her with its right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report explicitly cites the driver’s aggressive driving and unsafe speed as contributing factors to the crash. The vehicle was going straight ahead and had four occupants at the time. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The driver’s failure to control speed and aggressive behavior created the conditions for this collision, resulting in serious injury to a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4697359 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14