No More Names on Asphalt: Slow the Streets, Save the Living

Council passed a law to overhaul city truck routes. The bill orders daylighting at intersections and new signage. It aims to cut crashes, boost visibility, and shrink truck miles. Sponsors demand safer streets for people on foot and bike. Change is now law.

Int 0708-2022, now Local Law 171 of 2023, was enacted by the City Council on December 16, 2023, after passing the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The law, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to redesigning the city truck route network," requires the Department of Transportation to redesign truck routes to "improve safety, increase visibility, reduce traffic congestion, and reduce vehicle miles traveled." Council Member Tiffany Cabán led as primary sponsor, joined by dozens of co-sponsors. The law mandates daylighting—removing parking near intersections—to clear sight lines for drivers and protect people crossing. DOT must consult with safety groups, residents, and businesses, and replace truck route signage for better clarity. The law sets deadlines: initial report by November 2023, implementation by June 2024, and new signage by July 2024. This overhaul targets the deadly risk trucks pose to vulnerable road users at city intersections.

• File Int 0708-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-11-15

Council passed a law forcing DOT to report cars with unreadable plates dodging cameras. The bill targets drivers hiding their plates from red light and speed cameras. Reports must show where, when, and how plates go unseen. Data goes public, every quarter.

Int 0712-2022, now enacted as Local Law 155 of 2023, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the full Council on October 19, 2023. The law, sponsored by Gale A. Brewer with co-sponsors including Erik D. Bottcher, Lincoln Restler, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to report on vehicles with license plates unreadable by photo violation monitoring systems. The law’s title states it is 'in relation to reporting on motor vehicles with license plates that are unreadable by photo violation monitoring systems.' DOT must post quarterly reports showing the time, location, and reasons plates evade cameras—whether by concealment, distortion, or missing tags. The law aims to expose drivers who dodge automated enforcement, shining light on a loophole that puts pedestrians and cyclists at risk. The reports must be public and sent to the Mayor and Council Speaker.

• File Int 0712-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-10-19

Council passed Int 1164-2023. The law forces DOT to map out where street safety money goes. It tracks past investment, crash rates, and who gets left behind. The city must show its work, district by district. No more hiding the gaps.

Int 1164-2023, now enacted, amends the city code to require an 'investment roadmap' in every Streets Master Plan starting December 1, 2026. The bill moved through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passing on October 19, 2023, and became law on November 19, 2023. The law states: 'The department shall prioritize and promote...the safety of all street users...and improving equity in infrastructure investment.' Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley (primary), with Brooks-Powers, Narcisse, Hanif, Brewer, Restler, and Rivera as co-sponsors, the bill demands DOT report, by neighborhood, on safety infrastructure investment, crash rates, and demographics. It shines a light on which districts get safety upgrades and which are left exposed. The roadmap aims to close the gap for underserved areas, forcing transparency and accountability for every dollar spent on street safety.

• File Int 1164-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-10-19

A 67-year-old man stood mid-block on 73 Avenue. An SUV driver, distracted, struck him. Metal crushed bone. His legs broke. He died in the street, pinned between machines. The road stayed open. The city moved on.

A 67-year-old pedestrian was killed mid-block on 73 Avenue when a moving SUV struck him. According to the police report, 'Distraction behind the wheel. Metal met flesh. His legs shattered. He died there, between machines.' The crash involved two parked SUVs and one moving SUV. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was performing 'Other Actions in Roadway' when the crash occurred. No helmet or signal use is cited as a factor. The deadly impact highlights the danger of driver distraction and the vulnerability of people on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4660101, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

The Council passed a law forcing DOT to map every bike lane, hazard, and obstruction. Cyclists and pedestrians get a clear look at danger. The searchable map must show blocked lanes, crash sites, and repairs. No more hiding unsafe streets.

Int 0289-2022, now Local Law 124 of 2023, was enacted by the City Council on September 3, 2023, after passing the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The law requires the Department of Transportation to publish a monthly-updated, searchable map of all city bike lanes. The map must show obstructions, construction, crash patterns, shared paths, conflict points, resurfacing, parking, bike share docks, open streets, repair shops, and reporting tools. The bill’s matter title reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to develop a map of bicycle infrastructure conditions.' Council Member Crystal Hudson sponsored the bill, joined by Rivera, Sanchez, Stevens, Yeger, Restler, Avilés, and others. The law brings sunlight to hidden hazards, giving vulnerable road users the facts they need to see the city’s dangers in plain sight.

• File Int 0289-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-08-03

Council filed a bill to raise fines for riding bikes, e-bikes, or scooters on sidewalks. The measure targets repeat offenders and cases with physical contact. The bill died in committee. Streets remain unchanged. Vulnerable users still face car danger.

Int 1143-2023 was introduced on August 3, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill sought to amend the city code by 'increasing civil penalties for operating a bicycle, bicycle with electric assist, or electric scooter on the sidewalk.' The measure would have raised fines up to $510 for endangering others, with double penalties for repeat violations and extra penalties for physical contact. Council Member Gale A. Brewer sponsored the bill, joined by Gennaro, Lee, Brannan, Yeger, Kagan, Vernikov, and Ariola. The bill was filed at the end of the session on December 31, 2023, and did not become law. No safety analyst assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The bill focused on sidewalk riding, but left the core danger—cars on city streets—untouched.

• File Int 1143-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-08-03

Two SUVs crashed at 53rd Avenue and 206th Street. One slammed into the other’s side. A woman, 46, sat up front. Her head bled. The airbag burst. She stayed conscious. Inattention behind the wheel drew blood on glass.

Two sport utility vehicles collided at the corner of 53rd Avenue and 206th Street in Queens. According to the police report, one SUV struck the side of the other. A 46-year-old woman riding in the front passenger seat suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. She remained conscious after the crash. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The airbag deployed in the impact. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and yield at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4646968, 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

Council passed a law forcing DOT to daylight at least 100 intersections a year. No parking near corners. Physical barriers like planters or bike corrals will block cars. High-crash spots get priority. The city must report progress. Streets change. Lives depend on it.

Int 0854-2022, now enacted as Local Law 66 of 2023, passed the City Council on April 27, 2023, after review by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The law requires the Department of Transportation to 'implement daylighting at a minimum of 100 intersections a year,' meaning no parking within 15 feet of corners. High-crash intersections must be prioritized unless deemed infeasible. DOT must also install physical daylighting features, such as planters or bike corrals, where possible. Council Member Farah N. Louis sponsored the bill, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hudson, Ossé, and others. The law took effect 90 days after enactment. DOT must report annually on locations and reasons for any exceptions. This measure targets the blind spots that kill and injure pedestrians and cyclists at intersections. The city’s streets will see more open corners and fewer hiding places for danger.

• File Int 0854-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-27

Council passed a law forcing DOT to study deadly and serious pedestrian crashes every three years. Reports must go to community boards, the mayor, and the public. The bill aims to expose patterns, speed up fixes, and keep pressure on city agencies.

Bill Int 0805-2022, now Local Law 65 of 2023, was enacted by the City Council and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The law was introduced on October 27, 2022, passed on May 29, 2023, and returned unsigned by the mayor. The bill amends the administrative code to require the Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive study of all pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries every three years, instead of every five. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian safety reporting.' Sponsors include Alexa Avilés (primary), Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Tiffany Cabán, Lynn C. Schulman, Kalman Yeger, Farah N. Louis, Lincoln Restler, Darlene Mealy, Eric Dinowitz, Linda Lee, Pierina Ana Sanchez, Carlina Rivera, Mercedes Narcisse, and Rita C. Joseph. The law mandates that crash reports and recommendations be sent to council members, community boards, and made public. This change increases transparency and keeps the focus on the deadly toll of cars in New York City.

• File Int 0805-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-27

The Council passed a resolution urging Albany to fully fund the MTA. Lawmakers want more frequent, reliable, and affordable transit. They warn of a looming fiscal cliff. Without action, riders face service cuts. The vote backs millions who depend on buses and trains.

Resolution 0460-2023 was adopted by the City Council on April 27, 2023, after review by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The resolution calls on the New York State Legislature and Governor to 'fully fund the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in the State’s upcoming Fiscal Year 2024 Budget.' Council Member Farah N. Louis sponsored the measure, joined by over thirty co-sponsors. The committee vote was unanimous among present members. The resolution highlights the MTA’s critical role for millions of New Yorkers and warns of a 'looming fiscal cliff' as federal aid dries up. The Council insists that full funding is needed to prevent service cuts and keep transit affordable and frequent. The measure references the 'New York City in Six' plan, pushing for buses and trains every six minutes. The Council’s action centers the needs of riders—especially those with no other way to move safely through the city.

• File Res 0460-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-27

The council passed a law forcing DOT to install traffic calming devices near senior centers. At least fifty new devices each year. Streets where elders walk will see more barriers between them and speeding cars. The city must report every installation.

Bill Int 0679-2022, now Local Law 63 of 2023, was enacted on May 29, 2023, after passing the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The law states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the installation of traffic calming devices in senior pedestrian zones.' Council Member Darlene Mealy sponsored the bill, joined by co-sponsors including Amanda Farías, Tiffany Cabán, and others. The council voted overwhelmingly in favor on April 27, 2023. The law requires the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Department for the Aging, to annually install at least one traffic calming device in each designated senior pedestrian zone, with a minimum of fifty devices citywide per year. DOT must report installation locations to the council every year. The law aims to slow traffic and protect older pedestrians where they are most at risk.

• File Int 0679-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-27

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

Council filed a bill to force a city study on truck and delivery traffic from last mile warehouses. The bill targets congestion, collisions, and harm to neighborhoods. It demands hard numbers on vehicle flow, street damage, and danger to people outside cars.

Int 0923-2023 was introduced on February 16, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Member Alexa Avilés, with over thirty co-sponsors, sought a city study on the impact of truck and delivery traffic from last mile facilities. The official summary reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to conducting a study of the impact that truck and delivery traffic generated by last mile facilities have on local communities and infrastructure.' The bill required the Department of Transportation to report on delivery vehicle volumes, parking, congestion, collisions, and pedestrian injuries near these hubs. It called for identifying the most affected streets and estimating the costs and possible fixes. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023, without passage.

• File Int 0923-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-02-16

A flatbed truck turned left on Francis Lewis Boulevard. Its right bumper hit a 68-year-old man. Head trauma. Internal bleeding. He fell still. The street stayed quiet. The driver failed to yield. Distraction played a part. The man died.

A flatbed truck making a left turn at Francis Lewis Boulevard and Hillside Avenue struck a 68-year-old man. According to the police report, the truck's right front bumper hit the pedestrian, causing head trauma and internal bleeding. The man was conscious at first, then motionless. He died from his injuries. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The truck showed no damage. The data does not indicate any actions by the pedestrian that contributed to the crash. The deadly impact highlights the danger faced by people on foot when drivers fail to yield and pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4578375, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan struck a 69-year-old man crossing Hillside Avenue with the signal. His head hit the pavement. Blood pooled. The driver did not see him. The man stayed conscious. The street kept moving. The wound was deep. The danger was clear.

A 69-year-old man was crossing Hillside Avenue at 191st Street in Queens with the signal when a westbound sedan hit him. According to the police report, 'The driver didn’t see.' The man suffered a head injury and severe lacerations but remained conscious. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was in the crosswalk, following the signal. The impact was to the center front end of the sedan. No helmet or signaling issues are mentioned. The crash left the man hurt and the street unchanged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4582555, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

The Council passed Int 0291-2022, forcing city agencies to map, plan, and report on greenways. The law demands annual updates and public engagement. It aims to carve out safe, car-free corridors for walkers and cyclists. The mayor returned it unsigned.

Int 0291-2022, now Local Law 115 of 2022, was enacted by the City Council on November 27, 2022. The bill came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, first introduced April 28, 2022. The law's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a citywide greenway plan.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers sponsored the bill, joined by dozens of co-sponsors including Rivera, Hudson, and others. The Council voted overwhelmingly in favor on October 27, 2022. The law orders the Department of Transportation and Parks to identify, map, and report on greenways, and to consult with community boards. Proposals for new greenway segments or repairs must be presented to affected communities within 60 days. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it became law. The measure compels the city to plan and maintain safe routes for non-drivers, with regular public reporting and accountability.

• File Int 0291-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2022-10-27

A Honda sedan veered north on Clearview Expressway. The car ripped open. The 20-year-old driver died, crushed behind the wheel. A 22-year-old passenger was knocked unconscious, head injured. The night was empty. Speed and lane changes left wreckage.

A 2007 Honda sedan crashed while heading north on Clearview Expressway at 2:05 a.m. The left side of the car tore open. According to the police report, the 20-year-old male driver was killed, suffering crush injuries to the head. A 22-year-old male passenger was rendered unconscious with head trauma and internal injuries. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. The sedan was changing lanes before impact, striking on the left front bumper and damaging the left side doors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report confirms the road was empty at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4573369, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Ducati struck a Honda’s rear as the car changed lanes on Clearview Expressway. The rider, 43, flew from the bike. He wore a helmet. Internal injuries ended his life on the asphalt. The crash left passengers shaken, but alive.

A deadly crash unfolded on Clearview Expressway when a Ducati motorcycle slammed into the back of a Honda sedan mid-lane change. According to the police report, the motorcycle rider, 43, was ejected and suffered fatal internal injuries to his abdomen and pelvis. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. The Honda, driven by a 31-year-old man with two passengers, was changing lanes when the impact occurred. The motorcyclist was helmeted, as noted in the report, but the force of the collision proved fatal. No other serious injuries were reported among the sedan’s occupants. The crash highlights the lethal consequences of unsafe speed on city highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4549645, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Metal split on Clearview Expressway. An SUV crushed its front. A Ford truck lay demolished. One man, fifty, died at the wheel. Another driver, eighteen, hurt his neck. The cause: driver inattention. The toll: one life, many broken bodies.

A deadly crash unfolded on Clearview Expressway. According to the police report, a 50-year-old man died after his SUV struck a Ford truck. The SUV's front end was crushed. The truck was demolished. An 18-year-old driver suffered neck injuries. Several others were listed as injured or with unspecified harm. The police report states: 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was the contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling south; the truck was changing lanes when struck. The 50-year-old man was not ejected and wore a lap belt and harness. The crash left metal torn and bodies broken. The report lists no other contributing factors beyond driver inattention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4547571, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15