Bronx CB27: Death on the Parkway

Jun 7 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 6 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 3 - Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

May 9 - A Ford SUV cut across Pelham Parkway. Metal screamed. Six cars smashed. A young woman, trapped, bled from her arm, her hand refusing to clot. She stayed awake as chaos reigned. Unsafe lane change left blood and twisted steel behind.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV made an unsafe lane change on Pelham Parkway near Bronx River Parkway, triggering a six-vehicle pileup. The report states, 'A Ford SUV cut lanes. Six cars hit. Metal folded.' The violence of the crash left a 21-year-old woman, trapped behind the wheel, bleeding severely from her arm and hand. She remained conscious throughout, as noted in the report: 'Her hand would not stop bleeding. She stayed conscious.' The police report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the primary contributing factor. No victim actions are listed as contributing to the crash. The chain reaction of impacts and the scale of injury underscore the systemic danger when drivers disregard lane discipline.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724467 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 8 - Three sedans smashed at Bronx Park East and Allerton Avenue. Metal twisted. A 26-year-old man, strapped by a lap belt, took the brunt. He stayed conscious, pain radiating through his broken body. The street echoed with the aftermath.

According to the police report, three sedans collided at the intersection of Bronx Park East and Allerton Avenue in the Bronx. The crash left a 26-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt, with severe crush injuries to his entire body. The report describes the scene: 'Metal screamed. A 26-year-old man, strapped by a lap belt, crushed behind the wheel. His body broke. He stayed awake.' All three vehicles were traveling straight or stopped in traffic before the collision, with one sedan impacting the center front end and another struck at the right side doors. The police report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for the crash, offering no further detail on specific driver errors. No mention is made of victim behavior as a contributing factor. The violence of the impact and the resulting injuries underscore the persistent danger at New York City intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722884 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 28 - Two sedans traveling north on Bronx River Parkway collided head-on at 4:25 a.m. Driver inattention caused impact to left front quarter panel and right front bumper. A rear passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash, restrained by lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling north on Bronx River Parkway collided at 4:25 a.m. Both drivers were going straight ahead when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of one sedan and the right front bumper of the other. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both vehicles. A 57-year-old male occupant seated in the left rear passenger position of one vehicle was injured, suffering neck injuries and whiplash. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness at the time of the crash. The collision caused damage to the front panels of both vehicles. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720502 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 19 - A 2007 Jeep sped north on Bronx River Parkway. The unlicensed driver lost control at unsafe speed. Ejected from the SUV, she died with shattered pelvis and torn flesh. The vehicle lay demolished, a brutal testament to reckless velocity.

According to the police report, a 2007 Jeep SUV driven by an unlicensed 30-year-old woman crashed on Bronx River Parkway at 3:17 AM. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor. The driver was traveling northbound and lost control, resulting in a catastrophic impact that demolished the vehicle and twisted its frame beyond saving. The driver, who wore no seat belt, was ejected from the SUV and suffered fatal injuries including a shattered pelvis and severe lacerations. The police report explicitly notes the driver's unlicensed status and unsafe speed as causes of the crash. A front-seat passenger, a 34-year-old man wearing a lap belt and harness, was injured with internal complaints and shoulder-upper arm trauma but was not ejected. No victim behaviors contributed to the crash according to the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718704 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 18 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 17 - A sedan struck an SUV on Bronx River Parkway. Two women inside the SUV suffered whiplash and head or neck injuries. Police cite driver distraction as the cause. The crash left both injured but conscious.

According to the police report, a sedan hit the left rear quarter panel of an SUV on Bronx River Parkway. The crash happened at 3:30 PM. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The SUV’s driver, a 25-year-old woman, and a 50-year-old female rear passenger were both injured, suffering whiplash and head or neck trauma. Both were conscious and wearing lap belts. The sedan driver, a licensed man, was going straight but distracted, leading to the collision. No other contributing factors or victim actions were reported. The crash shows the danger of driver distraction on city parkways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718071 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 11 - Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

Apr 11 - Council targets hidden plates. Bill makes it a crime to park, stop, or drive with covered tags. Fines reach $1,000. Jail time possible. Committee weighs action. Streets demand accountability.

Int 0766-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on April 11, 2024. The bill reads: “prohibiting the parking, standing, stopping, or operation of a motor vehicle with obscured or defaced license plates.” Council Member Oswald Feliz leads, joined by Holden, Bottcher, Gennaro, Marte, Restler, Ung, and Paladino. The bill sets fines up to $1,000 and possible jail for violators. Each offense is a misdemeanor. The council aims to strip cover for reckless drivers, making it harder to dodge tickets and accountability. No safety analyst note yet, but the intent is clear: end the shield for lawless driving.

• File Int 0766-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

Mar 29 - Two sedans crashed hard on Bronx River Parkway. Unsafe speed and aggressive driving shattered metal and bodies. Two young men, both passengers, suffered broken bones and dislocations. Night left them hurt, cars ruined.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Bronx River Parkway at 10:30 PM. The impact crushed the left rear quarter panel of one car and demolished the front of the other. Two male passengers, both 26, were injured. One in the front seat suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The other, in the right rear, had abdomen and pelvis injuries. Both were conscious and restrained. The report lists unsafe speed and aggressive driving as contributing factors. These driver errors led directly to the crash and the serious injuries suffered by the passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714900 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 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

Mar 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

Mar 19 - Council wants bold signs at every school entrance. Paint on pavement. Metal overhead. The aim: warn drivers, shield kids. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait. Danger does not.

Bill Int 0714-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 19, 2024. The bill reads: 'installing safety signs near schools.' Council Member Susan Zhuang leads, joined by Rivera, Gennaro, Won, Hanif, Gutiérrez, Louis, Cabán, Restler, Farías, Banks, Riley, and Feliz. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to paint and hang school safety signs on every street with a school entrance. The goal: alert drivers to children and pedestrians. The bill awaits further action. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0714-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-19

Mar 7 - 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