Blood on the Hills: Cars Kill, Leaders Look Away

Poor DOT signs on Hylan Boulevard sow chaos. Drivers turn from the wrong lane. Collisions mount. Bus lane rules shift by the hour. The street stays dangerous for those on foot and bike.

According to amny (2025-08-05), collisions on Hylan Boulevard have risen due to unclear DOT signage about bus lane hours. Borough President Vito Fossella noted, “That’s one accident every four days where somebody perhaps unwittingly thinks they must turn from the middle lane.” The article reports 32 crashes in 2025 tied to drivers making right turns from the middle lane instead of the curb-side bus lane. Some signs list hours, others only say 'Bus Corridor Photo,' confusing drivers. The lack of clear, consistent information leaves intersections hazardous, especially for vulnerable road users. The report highlights a pressing need for better signage and clearer policy.

• Confusing Bus Lane Signs Spur Crashes, amny, Published 2025-08-05

A distracted driver struck a cyclist on Manor Road. The rider, ejected and hurt, suffered arm abrasions. Impact left the cyclist conscious but injured. Streets failed to protect the vulnerable.

A cyclist riding on Manor Road at Rockland Avenue in Staten Island was injured after a crash involving a car. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the contributing factor. The 40-year-old male cyclist was ejected from his bike and suffered abrasions to his arm but remained conscious. The report notes the cyclist was wearing a helmet. The crash underscores the danger faced by people on bikes when drivers are inattentive.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833208 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Two teens on a motorcycle struck a parked SUV. Both suffered head injuries. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience. The crash left bruises and questions in Staten Island’s night.

A 17-year-old unlicensed male drove a motorcycle with a 16-year-old male passenger east on Willowbrook Road. They crashed into the back of a parked SUV. Both teens suffered head contusions. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' contributed to the crash. The driver was unlicensed. No other injuries were reported. Helmet use was not listed as a factor. The SUV was unoccupied and parked at the time.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833975 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Two sedans collided on Bradley Ave. A 73-year-old man and a young girl suffered injuries. Police cite driver inattention. Streets remain unforgiving for the vulnerable.

A crash involving two sedans on Bradley Avenue in Staten Island left a 73-year-old male driver with chest pain and a young female passenger with a leg contusion. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as a contributing factor. The impact struck the left rear of a parked Toyota and the right front of a moving Nissan. No pedestrians were involved. The report notes both injured occupants wore lap belts and harnesses. The data does not specify further details about the crash sequence or other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829913 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

SUV struck right front bumper. Driver, 62, suffered chest injury. Police cite reaction to uninvolved vehicle. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

A 62-year-old man driving an SUV on the Staten Island Expressway was injured when the vehicle's right front bumper was struck. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle.' The driver sustained a chest injury but remained conscious. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors from the driver or other parties.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829809 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A 16-year-old on an e-scooter died after a collision with a Hyundai in Staten Island. Head trauma proved fatal. Police are investigating. The driver stayed at the scene. No arrests. Another scooter death followed days later.

The Brooklyn Paper (2025-07-13) reports a fatal crash on June 29 in Staten Island. Sixteen-year-old Nacere Ellis, riding an electric scooter, collided with a westbound Hyundai Tucson. The article states, 'Ellis suffered head trauma as a result of the crash.' The 79-year-old driver remained at the scene. NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the case. No charges have been filed. The report notes a similar fatal scooter crash days earlier in Queens. The incidents highlight ongoing risks for micromobility users and the need for systemic safety measures.

• Teen E-Scooter Rider Killed In Crash, The Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-07-13

Two cars met on Rockland Avenue. Both drivers distracted. One woman hurt, pain in her abdomen. Metal untouched, but bodies not spared.

Two vehicles, a sedan and an SUV, collided on Rockland Avenue at Forest Hill Road. According to the police report, both drivers were distracted at the time of the crash. One woman, age 35, suffered abdominal injuries and whiplash. Three others, including another driver and two passengers, were listed with unspecified injuries. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. No vehicle damage was reported, but the impact left its mark on the people inside.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825500 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Eleven city lawmakers voted no on speed cameras. Their votes keep streets exposed. Pedestrians and cyclists lose a shield. Reckless drivers win. The city’s most basic defense—rejected. The toll will be measured in blood, not words.

On June 13 and June 17, 2025, the New York State Senate and Assembly voted on reauthorizing New York City's school zone speed camera program. The Senate passed the measure 38-21; three city senators—Stephen Chan, Andrew Lanza, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton—voted no. The Assembly passed it 110-31, with nine city lawmakers—Alec Brook-Krasny, Lester Chang, Simcha Eichenstein, Michael Novakhov, Stacey Pheffer Amato, Sam Pirozzolo, Michael Reilly, David Weprin, Kalman Yeger—opposing. The Streetsblog NYC article, 'Ye Shall Know Their Names! Meet the Dirty Dozen City Pols Who Voted Against Speed Camera Program,' quotes lawmakers dismissing speed cameras as revenue grabs or burdens. The safety analyst notes: 'The event text does not describe a specific policy or legislative action, so no direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists can be assessed.' Still, the votes signal disregard for proven tools that protect those outside cars.

• Ye Shall Know Their Names! Meet the Dirty Dozen City Pols Who Voted Against Speed Camera Program, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-23

Eleven city lawmakers voted no on speed cameras. Their votes keep streets exposed. Pedestrians and cyclists lose a shield. Reckless drivers win. The city’s most basic defense—rejected. The toll will be measured in blood, not words.

On June 13 and June 17, 2025, the New York State Senate and Assembly voted on reauthorizing New York City's school zone speed camera program. The Senate passed the measure 38-21; three city senators—Stephen Chan, Andrew Lanza, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton—voted no. The Assembly passed it 110-31, with nine city lawmakers—Alec Brook-Krasny, Lester Chang, Simcha Eichenstein, Michael Novakhov, Stacey Pheffer Amato, Sam Pirozzolo, Michael Reilly, David Weprin, Kalman Yeger—opposing. The Streetsblog NYC article, 'Ye Shall Know Their Names! Meet the Dirty Dozen City Pols Who Voted Against Speed Camera Program,' quotes lawmakers dismissing speed cameras as revenue grabs or burdens. The safety analyst notes: 'The event text does not describe a specific policy or legislative action, so no direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists can be assessed.' Still, the votes signal disregard for proven tools that protect those outside cars.

• Ye Shall Know Their Names! Meet the Dirty Dozen City Pols Who Voted Against Speed Camera Program, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-23

A moped slammed into a car’s door in Bay Ridge. The rider died. His passenger broke bones. The driver was drunk, unlicensed, and arrested. The street stayed quiet after the crash. Another life lost to reckless driving.

NY Daily News reported on June 22, 2025, that Joel Mota, 22, died after his moped struck the passenger-side door of a 2013 Acura TSX at Third Ave and 67th St in Brooklyn. The crash happened at 4:45 a.m. Police said the car’s driver, Leslie Moreno, was intoxicated and unlicensed. Mota’s passenger suffered multiple fractures. The article notes, 'Police arrested the Acura driver, 29-year-old Leslie Moreno, for driving while intoxicated, driving while ability impaired, and being unlicensed.' Moreno was arraigned and released without bail. The case highlights the ongoing risk posed by impaired, unlicensed drivers on city streets.

• Drunk Unlicensed Driver Kills Moped Rider, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-22

Two SUVs collided on Clove Road. A driver fell asleep. Two people hurt. One suffered neck whiplash. Another, back pain. Impact struck hard. Sleep behind the wheel left pain and chaos.

Two sport utility vehicles crashed on Clove Road at Emerson Drive, Staten Island. According to the police report, a driver fell asleep, causing the collision. Five people were involved. Two were injured: a 53-year-old woman suffered neck whiplash, and a 43-year-old man had back pain. Both wore lap belts and harnesses. The report lists 'Fell Asleep' as the contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose alertness behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822751 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A motorcycle and pick-up truck collided on the Staten Island Expressway. One man was left unconscious, his body fractured. Two children and three adults were also involved. The crash followed improper lane usage. Metal twisted. Lives changed in seconds.

A crash on the Staten Island Expressway involved a motorcycle and a pick-up truck. According to the police report, the collision occurred when one or more drivers engaged in 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The motorcycle driver, a 35-year-old man, suffered injuries to his entire body and was found unconscious with fractures and dislocations. Two children, ages one and two, along with three adults, were also occupants in the vehicles. The pick-up truck was changing lanes before impact, while the motorcycle was going straight. The police report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor. The injured motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821764 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

SUV veered on Meisner Ave after driver fell asleep. Three passengers, including a baby, suffered injuries. Metal, glass, shock. Streets do not forgive sleep.

A BMW SUV crashed on Meisner Ave at Rockland Ave in Staten Island. Three passengers, including a baby, were injured. According to the police report, the driver fell asleep at the wheel. The crash left one woman with injuries to her entire body and a baby with unknown injuries. The report lists 'Fell Asleep' as the contributing factor. No other causes are cited. The impact struck the center front end of the vehicle. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821405 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-16