No More Excuses: Demand Safety on Bronx Streets Now

A motorcycle struck a sedan at speed on Boston Road. The rider, 54, flew off, no helmet. His leg ripped open. Blood pooled on the asphalt. He stayed conscious. The car barely scratched. The street fell silent.

A motorcycle collided with a sedan near 2221 Boston Road in the Bronx. The 54-year-old rider was ejected and suffered severe leg lacerations. According to the police report, 'A motorcycle hit a sedan at speed. The rider, 54, flew off. No helmet. Leg ripped open.' The crash was caused by 'Unsafe Speed,' as listed in the contributing factors. The sedan sustained minimal damage. The rider was conscious at the scene. The report notes the absence of a helmet, but only after citing unsafe speed as the primary factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4652828, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A flatbed truck struck a 69-year-old man on East Fordham Road. The left front bumper hit him. He was not in a crosswalk. His body broke in the street. He died there, alone, under steel. The truck kept west. The city kept moving.

A 69-year-old man was killed when a flatbed truck traveling west on East Fordham Road struck him with its left front bumper. According to the police report, 'A flatbed truck going west crushed a 69-year-old man with its left front bumper. He was not in a crosswalk. His body broke in the street. He died there, alone, under the weight of steel.' The victim, a pedestrian, suffered fatal crush injuries to his entire body. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction were documented in the data. The man was not in a crosswalk at the time of the crash, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor. The truck was going straight ahead when the impact occurred.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4652464, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council Member Oswald Feliz and 32 lawmakers demand federal action against illegal temp tags. They urge tighter rules on dealerships and shorter tag validity. The Council pushes for fines and more tow pound space. Streets remain exposed to untraceable cars.

On August 4, 2023, the New York City Council, led by Council Member Oswald Feliz, sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. The letter, backed by 32 other lawmakers, urges the federal Department of Transportation to fight the black market for temporary license plates. The Council asks for stricter rules on who can issue temp tags, a ban on tags valid over 30 days, and tougher oversight of car dealerships. Feliz has introduced two bills to fine illegal sellers and drivers using fake tags, plus a third bill to expand NYPD tow pound capacity. The Council’s letter states: 'illegal out-of-state paper tags inundating city streets require a national solution.' The NYPD is reviewing the proposed legislation. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• City Council Requests Federal Help in Fight Against Black Market for Temporary License Plates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-04

Council pushed for 500 solar-lit crosswalks. The bill demanded action—100 new devices each year. It called for a hard look at results. But the session ended. The bill died. Streets wait. Pedestrians keep crossing in the dark.

Int 1151-2023, introduced August 3, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, aimed to require the Department of Transportation to install at least 100 illuminated, solar-powered traffic control devices at crosswalks each year for five years—a total of 500. The bill also ordered a study comparing these devices to unlit signs, probing their power to deter traffic violations and mapping out logistical hurdles. The matter summary reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the installation of solar-powered crosswalks.' Council Member Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Menin, Brooks-Powers, Rivera, and over thirty others. The bill was filed at session’s end on December 31, 2023. No safety analyst note was provided. The city’s crosswalks remain unchanged. Vulnerable road users remain exposed.

• File Int 1151-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-08-03

Rep. Adriano Espaillat worked behind closed doors to stall Fordham Road bus lane improvements. Bronx lawmakers, once supportive, fell silent or opposed. The project, meant to speed up buses for 85,000 riders, now faces more delays. Vulnerable riders remain stuck in slow, dangerous traffic.

On August 3, 2023, Rep. Adriano Espaillat quietly lobbied Bronx officials against proposed Fordham Road bus lane upgrades. The project, under city review since 2022, aimed to speed up buses for 85,000 daily riders by installing dedicated busways or offset lanes. According to Streetsblog, Espaillat leaned on younger electeds to align with Council Member Oswald Feliz, a vocal critic. 'He defers to the local elected officials, and all of them seem to be in agreement,' said Espaillat’s chief of staff, Aneiry Batista. Lawmakers who once supported the upgrades grew silent or opposed them after Espaillat’s intervention. The Department of Transportation, MTA, and governor’s office met with Espaillat to discuss the project, but delays persisted. The opposition from Feliz and business groups led DOT to scrap the most ambitious safety options. Riders, many without cars, remain exposed to slow, hazardous conditions as cars block bus lanes and traffic crawls.

• Rep. Adriano Espaillat Rallying Bronx Pols Against Fordham Road Bus Lane Fixes: Sources, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-03

Councilman Oswald Feliz led 33 members calling for federal action against fake paper plates. Ghost cars dodge cameras, break laws, and endanger New Yorkers. Local enforcement fails. Council wants tighter rules, shorter plate validity, and real accountability.

On August 3, 2023, Bronx Councilman Oswald Feliz and 32 other New York City Council members sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. The letter urges federal reforms to stop the spread of fraudulent paper license plates, known as 'ghost car' plates. The council members wrote, 'The sale and use of fraudulent paper plates has created new challenges in New York City: cars using such plates cannot be easily traced, and thereby pose a street safety threat to New Yorkers.' Feliz and his colleagues demand that only legitimate dealerships issue paper plates and that validity be capped at 30 days nationwide. They note that some states allow up to 90 days, overwhelming communities and making enforcement difficult. The council’s push follows local proposals for stiffer penalties. The letter highlights how ghost cars evade cameras, break traffic laws, and fuel dangerous chases, putting everyone on city streets at risk.

• NYC council members urge feds to crack down on ‘ghost car’ fake plates, nypost.com, Published 2023-08-03

MTA leaders press Mayor Adams to revive Fordham Road bus lane plans. Council Member Feliz stands opposed. Business groups resist. Eighty-five thousand daily riders face slow, crowded buses. City’s promise for safer, faster transit stalls. DOT offers compromise. Vulnerable commuters wait.

On July 20, 2023, the MTA called on Mayor Eric Adams and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to support renewed bus lane expansion on Fordham Road. The city had canceled a planned busway after pushback from business owners and Council Member Oswald Feliz, who remains a vocal critic. MTA New York City Transit President Richard Davey said, "Our hope is that we DOT stays with us and we're implementing this, hopefully, later this year." MTA CEO Janno Lieber stressed, "We can't deemphasize and under-prioritize the lives of people of the Bronx and also Upper Manhattan who are trying to get east and west across this incredibly busy corridor." DOT spokesperson Vin Barone described a new proposal with dedicated curbside loading and minimal traffic diversions. The city’s earlier pledge for 20 new miles of bus lanes per year has not been met. Eighty-five thousand daily bus riders, many vulnerable, remain at risk on slow, crowded streets. No formal safety analysis was provided.

• MTA’s ‘Hope’ for Eric Adams: ‘Stay With Us’ On Fordham Road, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-20

Council grilled NYPD on ghost plates. Fake tags dodge cameras, tickets, and tolls. Towing is up, but tow yards are full. Staten Island’s David Carr offered space. Enforcement lags. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price for every undetected car.

On June 27, 2023, the City Council Transportation Committee held a hearing on enforcement of ghost plates and related bills. The session focused on a package to increase fines for phony or expired plates and penalize sellers of illegal tags. Deputy Chief Michael Pilecki told the committee, 'Any vehicle bearing one of these fraudulent plates instantly becomes undetectable to nearly every aspect of street level enforcement.' Council Member David Carr (District 50) offered Staten Island tow pound space to help the NYPD, which faces a shortage after the Manhattan pound closed. The NYPD reported towing is up 192% for covered plates, but limited storage stalls progress. The bills, sponsored by Oswald Feliz, aim to close loopholes that let reckless drivers evade detection, leaving vulnerable road users exposed to danger.

• NYPD honcho tells council that it faces obstacles in fight against ‘ghost plates’, amny.com, Published 2023-06-27

NYPD claims action on ghost cars. Numbers tell a different story. Arrests for fake plates drop. Summonses barely rise. DOT cameras miss over a million violations. Council weighs tougher fines. Riders and walkers pay the price for weak enforcement.

On June 27, 2023, the City Council held a hearing on NYPD enforcement against ghost cars—vehicles with fake, covered, or defaced plates. NYPD Transportation Bureau’s Michael Pilecki reported arrests for forged plates fell 11 percent from last year, while summonses rose just 0.6 percent. The hearing spotlighted two bills from Council Member Oswald Feliz to raise fines for using or selling fake plates, both widely supported, including by the NYPD. The matter summary: 'NYPD claims it has stepped up its efforts to summons and arrest car drivers who cover or deface their plate, or drive with a fake temporary tag, but its own statistics show that the effort has not continued into this year.' Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers and Kamillah Hanks did not comment. Activists and officials noted DOT’s automated cameras failed to bill 1.2 million violations last year due to temp tags, leaving dangerous drivers unaccountable. The city’s weak enforcement leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

• NYPD’s Fight Against ‘Ghost Cars’ Lacks Serious Muscle, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-27

Council sought to clear streets of cars with missing or obscured plates. The bill ordered quick towing of vehicles blocking space or hiding identity. Filed at session’s end, it aimed to cut hazards for those on foot or bike. No action taken.

Int 1116-2023 was introduced on June 22, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill required the Department of Sanitation and NYPD to tow vehicles that block streets or lack visible, valid license plates, registration, or inspection stickers. The matter summary reads: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to towing vehicles that are an encumbrance on the street or that lack, improperly display, or obscure valid license plates, registration stickers, inspection stickers, or vehicle identification numbers.” Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers sponsored the bill, joined by Salamanca, Brannan, Feliz, Stevens, Ung, Riley, and Schulman. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023, with no further action. Removing untraceable or abandoned vehicles could have reduced street dangers for pedestrians and cyclists, but the measure stalled.

• File Int 1116-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-06-22

Bronx power players fight a city plan to carve out bus lanes on Fordham Road. Council Member Oswald Feliz joins business and institution leaders, demanding fixes to existing lanes before any new changes. They warn of traffic chaos and harm to local life.

On May 30, 2023, Council Member Oswald Feliz (District 15) joined Bronx business and institution leaders in public opposition to a city Department of Transportation proposal for new bus lanes or a car-free busway on Fordham Road. The matter, described as a plan to 'improve bus service down busy Fordham Road,' faces fierce pushback from the Belmont and Fordham Road Business Improvement Districts, the Bronx Zoo, Fordham University, and others. Feliz, who signed a letter to Mayor Adams, said, 'DOT has completely abandoned the bus lanes on Fordham Road and that has caused the issues we’re seeing. We must ensure buses are moving and we can address that by fixing the bus lanes we have.' The letter calls for repainting bus lanes and installing fixed cameras before considering new restrictions. Opponents argue the plan would worsen traffic, hurt business, and shift congestion to side streets. The proposal remains under review, with no committee or bill number assigned.

• Bronxites push back on bus lane proposal, nydailynews.com, Published 2023-05-30

A sedan hit a moped on 3rd Avenue near East 175th. The rider flew off, head bleeding on the street. He lay semiconscious. The car’s front end crumpled. Driver inattention marked the crash. The street bore the cost.

A sedan struck a northbound moped on 3rd Avenue near East 175th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, 'A sedan struck a northbound moped. The 21-year-old unlicensed rider, helmetless, was thrown to the pavement. His head bled onto the street. He lay semiconscious. The car’s front end crumpled.' The moped rider suffered severe head injuries and was ejected. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The moped rider was unlicensed and not wearing a helmet, as noted after the driver error.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4630997, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council bill Int 1030-2023 would force DOT to show its hand. Every traffic signal and speed bump request, tracked online. Status, reason, and timeline—no more black box. The bill died in committee, but the demand for sunlight remains.

Int 1030-2023 was introduced on April 27, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill required the Department of Transportation to post details of all traffic control device and speed reducer requests on a public website. The matter summary reads: 'The required website would include, but need not be limited to, the following information: case number, general topic, issue, status, resolution, reason for approval or denial of traffic control device, and if approved, the timeline for completion.' Council Member Farah N. Louis sponsored the bill, joined by 21 co-sponsors including Williams, Hanif, and Yeger. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023. No safety analyst note was provided, but the measure aimed to end secrecy around life-saving street changes. Public access to this data could expose delays and denials that keep streets deadly.

• File Int 1030-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-27

Lawmakers in New Jersey and Georgia vow to crack down on temp tag fraud. Dealers sell paper plates to reckless drivers. Streetsblog exposed the black market. Politicians call for stiffer fines, tighter rules. Advocates say fake tags shield dangerous drivers. Streets grow deadlier.

On April 18, 2023, lawmakers in New Jersey and Georgia responded to a Streetsblog investigation exposing widespread temporary license plate fraud. New Jersey Assembly Member Paul Moriarty called the findings "disturbing" and is drafting a bill to raise fines and consider criminal penalties for dealers. Assembly Member Clinton Calabrese is working with state agencies to fix regulatory gaps. In Georgia, Rep. John Corbett, chair of the Motor Vehicles Committee, plans to introduce legislation, while Sen. Josh McLaurin urges stronger regulatory enforcement to block bad actors. Sen. Sonya Halpern called Georgia's role in the black market "concerning." The matter centers on the illegal sale and use of temp tags, which, as safe streets advocate Jimmy Lee warns, embolden reckless drivers and make streets more dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. Advocates demand swift, tough action to protect vulnerable road users.

• N.J. and Georgia Lawmakers Pledge Action on Temp Tag Fraud Detailed In Streetsblog Investigation, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-18

Council moved to ban driving with fake or expired plates. Civil fines would hit drivers hard. Sponsors spanned the city. The bill died at session’s end. Streets remain exposed to untraceable cars and reckless drivers.

Int 0987-2023 was introduced in the New York City Council on April 11, 2023, and referred to the Committee on Public Safety. The bill aimed to prohibit operating a motor vehicle with fraudulent or expired license plates, including temporary ones. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle with fraudulent or expired license plates.' Civil penalties ranged from $300 to $1,000, with a 10-day cure period for expired plates. The bill was sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over thirty council members, including Feliz, Salamanca, Powers, Yeger, Menin, and others, as well as the Brooklyn and Bronx Borough Presidents. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023, and did not become law. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• File Int 0987-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-11

The Council called for Albany to pass Sammy’s Law, letting New York City set lower speed limits. The resolution also urged a crash victims bill of rights and stronger street safety laws. Lawmakers want fewer deaths. The bill stalled. Danger remains.

Resolution 0549-2023, filed at session’s end, came from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2023, and pushed by Council Member Shahana K. Hanif as primary sponsor, with Jennifer Gutiérrez and over twenty others co-sponsoring. The resolution urged the State Legislature and Governor to pass S.2422 ('Sammy’s Law'), which would let New York City set lower speed limits, and A.1901, a crash victims bill of rights. The matter title reads: 'Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.2422, also known as ‘Sammy’s Law,’ ... and A.1901, enacting a crash victims bill of rights, as well as the other bills of the package known as the SAFE Streets Act.' The SAFE Streets Act package also includes safe passing for cyclists and complete street design mandates. The Council’s action highlights the city’s ongoing fight against reckless driving and the urgent need for stronger protections for people on foot, on bikes, and in cars.

• File Res 0549-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-11

Councilmember Restler joins Bronx and Queens colleagues to target fake license plates. The bill slaps heavy fines on dealers selling sham tags. Lawmakers say ghost cars dodge cameras, endanger streets, and let reckless drivers vanish. The crackdown aims to stop the chaos.

Intro 988, introduced on April 11, 2023, targets the sale of fake license plates in New York City. The bill, sponsored by Oswald Feliz, Marjorie Velázquez, and Lincoln Restler, amends laws to ban selling counterfeit tags, with fines starting at $1,000 for first offenses and $2,000 for repeat violations. The measure was brought before the City Council and discussed at a City Hall press conference. The matter summary states the bill 'goes after the unscrupulous used car dealers profiting considerably off a huge black market for phony tags.' Restler, as a sponsor, joins efforts to curb the spread of ghost cars, which evade speed cameras and tolls, making streets more dangerous for everyone. Lawmakers stress that the goal is deterrence, not revenue, and call for further action from online marketplaces and federal agencies.

• Bronx pol proposes crackdown on ‘ghost cars’ with phony plates, amny.com, Published 2023-04-11

Councilmember Oswald Feliz pushes two bills to punish fake plate drivers and sellers. Ghost cars dodge rules, vanish after crashes, and endanger lives. The bills aim to stop reckless drivers hiding behind paper tags. Enforcement, not revenue, drives this push.

On April 11, 2023, Councilmember Oswald Feliz introduced bills Intro 987 and Intro 988 to the City Council. The bills, now in committee, target the use and sale of fake license plates—so-called 'ghost cars.' Feliz said, 'These paper plates are creating new problems, problems that we do not need in our communities.' The legislation increases fines for driving with fraudulent or expired plates and penalizes the sale of fake tags. Feliz, joined by co-sponsors, stressed that the goal is deterrence, not revenue. He highlighted the threat ghost cars pose: drivers evade tickets, speed, and vanish after fatal crashes. The NYPD and Mayor Adams also announced new tech to track these vehicles. The bills aim to close loopholes and protect New Yorkers from reckless, untraceable drivers.

• Bronx pol proposes crackdown on ‘ghost cars’ with phony plates, amny.com, Published 2023-04-11

Council Member Oswald Feliz moves to crack down on fake temp tags. His bill hikes fines for sellers and drivers. Enforcement falls to NYPD and city agencies. Transportation Alternatives backs the push, calling fake plates a danger to all on city streets.

Bill number not yet assigned. On April 11, 2023, Council Member Oswald Feliz (D-Bronx) announced new legislation to fight temporary license plate fraud. The bill, introduced after a Streetsblog investigation, would empower the city to fine those selling fake temp tags and raise penalties for drivers using them. Fines start at $1,000 for sellers and $500 for drivers, with higher amounts for repeat offenses. The NYPD, Sheriff's Office, and Department of Consumer and Worker Protection would enforce the law. Feliz also urged New Jersey, Georgia, and the federal government to tighten temp tag rules. The matter summary reads: 'legislation to combat temporary license plate fraud.' Transportation Alternatives endorsed the bill, warning that fake plates put vulnerable road users at risk. Feliz said, 'We want to make sure that people are truly being deterred.'

• Council Member Proposes New Fines for Temp Tag Fraud Following Streetsblog Investigation, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-11

Councilman Oswald Feliz wants to hammer ghost cars. His bill hikes fines for fake plates. First offenders pay $1,000. Repeat sellers pay $2,000. Drivers with bogus plates get $500, then $1,000. The crackdown aims to stop reckless, untraceable cars haunting city streets.

Bronx Councilman Oswald Feliz introduced a legislative proposal on April 9, 2023, targeting fraudulent paper license plates, known as 'ghost cars.' The bill, not yet assigned a committee or status, seeks to impose a $1,000 fine for first-time sellers of fake plates and at least $2,000 for repeat offenders. Motorists caught driving with fraudulent plates would face a $500 fine for a first offense and $1,000 for subsequent violations, up from the current $65–$200 range. Feliz said, 'The plates are encouraging reckless behavior in our communities, and we must crack down on them.' The measure also calls for online marketplaces to remove fake plate listings and urges federal standards for more secure temporary plates. Feliz’s push follows police crackdowns and rising use of ghost cars for crimes and traffic violations. No formal safety analysis was provided.

• Bronx pol Oswald Feliz calls for crackdown on ‘ghost cars’ bogus paper license plates, nypost.com, Published 2023-04-09