Steel Rules, Children Die—Albany Stalls

May 16 - Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.

On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.

• Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins, nypost.com, Published 2024-05-16

May 16 - Council moves to light up step streets. At least 25 stairways each year will get new lamps. Dark paths become visible. Pedestrians gain ground. Shadows shrink. Danger loses its cover.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 16, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola, joined by sixteen co-sponsors, pushes for at least 25 step streets to be lit each year until all are covered. Step streets are open-air staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to strip darkness from these paths, making them safer for people on foot. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0875-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

May 11 - A 24-year-old male bicyclist suffered full-body abrasions and partial ejection after a collision on Marcy Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash involved driver inexperience and failure to maintain safe distance, resulting in serious injury and vehicle damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:00 PM on Marcy Avenue in Brooklyn. The bicyclist, a 24-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained abrasions over his entire body, classified as injury severity level 3. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The bicyclist was riding straight ahead when the collision happened, impacting the center back end of his bike and the center front end of the other vehicle involved. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The report highlights the driver errors of failing to maintain a safe following distance and inexperience behind the controls, which directly contributed to the crash and the bicyclist’s injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723920 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 5 - A bicyclist was ejected and suffered severe leg injuries after an SUV failed to yield while making a left turn. The crash occurred on Broadway in Brooklyn. The cyclist was traveling straight and hit on the left side, sustaining fractures and dislocations.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:45 on Broadway near Lorimer Street in Brooklyn. The SUV was making a left turn and struck a bicyclist traveling northbound straight ahead. The point of impact was the SUV's center front end and the cyclist's left side doors. The bicyclist was ejected and suffered injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. The report cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" and "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as contributing factors, both attributed to the SUV driver. The bicyclist was not wearing safety equipment. No damage was reported to either vehicle. The evidence highlights driver error in yielding and improper lane usage as the cause of the crash and injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722047 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 26 - A sedan struck an 18-year-old woman crossing Division Avenue. She suffered head injuries and was left semiconscious, bleeding. The crash happened at a marked crosswalk without a signal.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Division Avenue struck an 18-year-old female pedestrian as she crossed at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The impact was to the vehicle's center front end. The woman suffered head injuries and was found semiconscious with minor bleeding. No explicit driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The pedestrian's action of crossing without a signal is noted, but the report does not assign fault. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead. No mention of helmet or other safety equipment was made.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720470 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 18 - Council moves to hike fines for illegal ATVs and dirt bikes. First offense: $375–$750. Repeat: $750–$1,500. Law aims at reckless riders who menace city streets and endanger lives.

Bill Int 0856-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety. Introduced April 18, 2024, it seeks to amend city code to raise fines for unlawful ATV and dirt bike use. The bill states: 'The first offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 375 dollars and up to 750 dollars. Any subsequent offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 750 dollars and up to 1500 dollars.' Council Member Carmen N. De La Rosa leads as primary sponsor, joined by Salamanca Jr., Gennaro, Brannan, Louis, Ung, Restler, and Farías. The bill was referred to committee the same day. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0856-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 18 - Council bill orders DOT to factor traffic enforcement agents into city safety plans. The move targets deadly streets. Sponsors demand action, not words. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait for safer crossings.

Int 0842-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced April 18, 2024, the bill amends city law to require the Department of Transportation to consider where traffic enforcement agents are placed when drafting the interagency roadway safety plan. The bill summary states: 'require DOT to specifically consider placement of traffic enforcement agents in certain areas.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Members Brannan (primary), Louis, Restler, and the Queens Borough President sponsor the measure. The bill responds to Local Law 12 of 2011, which already mandates a five-year safety plan. Now, the council demands DOT put enforcement on the map, aiming to cut injuries and deaths.

• File Int 0842-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

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 16 - A Buick SUV turned left through a Brooklyn crosswalk, crushing a 10-year-old girl as she crossed with the signal. The driver failed to yield. Her body broke beneath the front end. She died at the scene. Systemic danger, unyielding metal.

According to the police report, a Buick SUV traveling south on Wallabout Street near Franklin Avenue struck and killed a 10-year-old girl at approximately 14:33. The vehicle was making a left turn through the crosswalk when it hit the child. The report states the girl was 'crossing with the signal' at the intersection. The driver failed to yield the right-of-way and was also cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The impact crushed the girl beneath the front end of the SUV, resulting in fatal injuries to her entire body. The police report highlights 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor, underscoring the lethal consequences of driver error and inattention. The victim’s lawful crossing is noted only after the driver’s failures.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717867 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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

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 10 - Van swung right on Broadway. Struck a man crossing with the signal. He took bruises and pain to his whole body. Driver turned wrong, failed to yield. Steel met flesh. The street did not forgive.

According to the police report, a van traveling west on Broadway in Brooklyn made a right turn and struck a 36-year-old man who was crossing at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to his entire body but remained conscious. The report lists the driver’s errors as "Turning Improperly" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." The point of impact was the van’s right side doors. The pedestrian’s lawful crossing is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. This crash shows the danger when drivers turn improperly and fail to yield to people in the crosswalk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716125 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 5 - A tractor truck turned right on Williamsburg Street East and struck a parked sedan. The truck driver suffered back injuries. Police cite limited view as the cause. No other injuries reported.

According to the police report, a tractor truck making a right turn on Williamsburg Street East in Brooklyn collided with a parked sedan. The truck's right front quarter panel hit the sedan's left front bumper. The 62-year-old truck driver was injured, suffering back pain and whiplash. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as the primary contributing factor, pointing to impaired sight lines as the cause. No other contributing factors or victim actions were noted. The crash highlights the danger of limited visibility during turns on busy city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718098 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 28 - A 59-year-old man crashed his SUV into parked vehicles on Harrison Avenue. He suffered whole-body trauma. No one else was hurt. Police cited physical disability as a factor.

According to the police report, a 59-year-old male driver crashed his 2003 GMC SUV into parked SUVs on Harrison Avenue in Brooklyn at 11:37 p.m. The impact damaged the right front quarter panel of his vehicle. The driver was found semiconscious with injuries to his entire body. No pedestrians or other drivers were involved. The report lists 'Physical Disability' as a contributing factor in the crash. No other driver errors, such as failure to yield, were cited. The parked vehicles were unoccupied. The collision left the driver seriously injured, but no other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715197 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 18 - A 23-year-old male bicyclist suffered a contusion to his elbow and lower arm on Penn Street. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected. No driver errors or contributing factors were reported. The crash involved a single bike traveling southbound.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Penn Street in Brooklyn at 16:59. The injured party was a 23-year-old male bicyclist, who was the sole occupant and driver of his bike traveling southbound, going straight ahead. He sustained a contusion and bruise to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity 3. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or unsafe maneuvers. The crash involved only one vehicle type, a bike, with unspecified damage at the point of impact. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved or cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710814 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 9 - A 27-year-old male driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan struck his vehicle’s left rear quarter panel. The driver was wearing a lap belt and experienced shock. The crash caused abrasions and moderate injury severity.

According to the police report, at 7:58 AM on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, a 27-year-old male driver was injured when his vehicle was struck on the left rear quarter panel by another sedan traveling east. The injured driver, who was wearing a lap belt and not ejected, sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with injury severity rated at level 3. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The collision caused damage to the right front bumper of the striking vehicle. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709368 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 8 - A 41-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by an SUV making a right turn on Broadway in Brooklyn. The pedestrian suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries. The driver’s improper turning caused the collision, according to the police report.

At approximately 9:45 AM on Broadway near Moore Street in Brooklyn, a 41-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a Ford SUV made an improper right turn. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the collision occurred. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to the abdomen and pelvis, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly cites "Turning Improperly" as the contributing factor for the crash. The SUV driver, a licensed male from New York, was traveling west and struck the pedestrian on the vehicle's right side doors. No vehicle damage was reported. The police report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s actions beyond crossing with the signal.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708026 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19