Night streets, hard numbers: Mott Haven’s toll

Jun 13 - 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 The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions.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 2025-06-13

Jun 12 - Senate backs S 4045. Repeat speeders face forced installation of speed assistance tech. Eleven points or six camera tickets triggers action. Law targets reckless drivers. Streets may get safer for those outside the car.

Senate bill S 4045, sponsored by Andrew Gounardes and co-sponsored by over two dozen senators, passed committee votes on June 11 and June 12, 2025. The bill, titled 'Relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits,' mandates these devices for drivers who rack up eleven or more points in 24 months, or six speed or red light camera tickets in a year. The measure aims to curb repeat dangerous driving. Senators including Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, and others voted yes. The bill targets drivers with a pattern of violations, seeking to cut risk for pedestrians and cyclists by limiting repeat speeding.

• File S 4045, Open States, Published 2025-06-12

Jun 12 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Schenectady schools. The bill passed both chambers. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program ends in 2030. Streets near schools may get safer. The vote was not unanimous.

Senate Bill S 5677, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The Senate passed it on June 12, with primary sponsor James Tedisco (District 44) and co-sponsor Patricia Fahy (District 46) leading the push. The Assembly approved it on June 13. The bill sets up automated speed enforcement near schools and sunsets December 31, 2030. The measure aims to catch speeding drivers near children. Some lawmakers voted no, but most supported the move. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets a known danger zone for vulnerable road users.

• File S 5677, Open States, Published 2025-06-12

Jun 12 - Senate and Assembly clear S 6815. MTA workers get a pass for driving in bus lanes while on duty. Law shields agency vehicles from tickets. Streets grow more crowded. Vulnerable users face more risk.

Bill S 6815, titled 'Relates to bus lane restrictions in New York city,' passed the Senate on June 12, 2025, and the Assembly on June 13, 2025. The bill states, 'it shall be a defense to any prosecution for a violation of a bus lane restriction ... when an employee of the metropolitan transportation authority is performing authorized duties.' Sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie and co-sponsored by Nathalia Fernandez, the measure exempts MTA employees from bus lane tickets while working. No safety analysis was provided. The bill opens bus lanes to more agency vehicles, crowding space meant for buses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

• File S 6815, Open States, Published 2025-06-12

Jun 11 - Senate backs S 4045. Repeat speeders face forced installation of speed assistance tech. Eleven points or six camera tickets triggers action. Law targets reckless drivers. Streets may get safer for those outside the car.

Senate bill S 4045, sponsored by Andrew Gounardes and co-sponsored by over two dozen senators, passed committee votes on June 11 and June 12, 2025. The bill, titled 'Relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits,' mandates these devices for drivers who rack up eleven or more points in 24 months, or six speed or red light camera tickets in a year. The measure aims to curb repeat dangerous driving. Senators including Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, and others voted yes. The bill targets drivers with a pattern of violations, seeking to cut risk for pedestrians and cyclists by limiting repeat speeding.

• File S 4045, Open States, Published 2025-06-11

Jun 11 - 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 2025-06-11

Jun 11 - 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 2025-06-11

Jun 10 - Two sedans crashed at 3rd Avenue and 138th. A 13-year-old girl suffered neck injuries. Police cite failure to yield. Metal twisted. Passengers shaken. System failed to protect.

Two sedans collided at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and East 138th Street in the Bronx. A 13-year-old female passenger was injured, suffering neck pain and whiplash. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' was the contributing factor. The crash involved multiple occupants, including a 37-year-old and a 39-year-old, but only the 13-year-old was reported injured. The impact struck the right side doors of one sedan and the front end of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4820481 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 10 - Senate backs S 8117. Oneida County gets school speed zone cameras. Law sunsets in 2030. Lawmakers act. Streets near schools may slow. Children walk safer. Drivers face new eyes.

Senate bill S 8117, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the county of Oneida,' passed committee votes on May 27 and June 10, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joseph A. Griffo (District 53), sets up speed cameras near schools in Oneida County. The program ends December 31, 2030. The Senate voted yes, with only two no votes and several excused. The measure aims to slow drivers near schools and protect children. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process.

• File S 8117, Open States, Published 2025-06-10

Jun 9 - A man, 61, hit on E 135 St in the Bronx. He suffered a head injury. He was incoherent, in pain. The crash left him hurt. The police report lists no driver errors. The vehicle type is unspecified.

A 61-year-old man walking on E 135 St at St Anns Ave in the Bronx was struck and injured. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a head injury and was described as incoherent, complaining of pain or nausea. The report does not specify the type of vehicle involved or list any contributing factors or driver errors. No information is given about the pedestrian's actions or location at the time of the crash. The vehicle is only described as 'unspecified.' The police report provides no further details about the circumstances leading to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819373 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 9 - Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.

• File S 915, Open States, Published 2025-06-09

Jun 8 - City wants cars off 34th Street. Residents fear traffic will flood side streets. Bus riders crawl at five miles an hour. Officials tout safety gains from 14th Street. Tension rises between speed, safety, and neighborhood calm.

The New York Post (2025-06-08) reports that the city proposes restricting cars on 34th Street to create a busway between 3rd and 9th Avenues. Residents worry rerouted vehicles will jam local streets and worsen safety. Jessica Lavoie of the Murray Hill Neighborhood Association warns, "diverting traffic from this critical corridor onto narrow residential streets would lead to increased congestion, safety hazards, and diminished quality of life." The Department of Transportation aims to replicate the 14th Street busway, which "reduced congestion, sped up bus travel and curbed accidents." The article highlights the ongoing struggle to balance efficient transit, tunnel access, and neighborhood safety. No specific driver errors are cited, but the plan underscores the systemic risks of shifting car traffic onto residential blocks.

• City Eyes 34th Street Car Ban Plan, New York Post, Published 2025-06-08

Jun 7 - A drunk driver tore through Gramercy. He struck Abdulhekim Esiyok in the crosswalk. Bars kept pouring drinks for the driver. Blood alcohol soared. Esiyok died at Bellevue. The driver hit more people before stopping. The city’s system failed again.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-07), Abdulhekim Esiyok, a 23-year-old Turkish immigrant, was killed while crossing Third Avenue after Mahbub Ali, allegedly intoxicated, drove into him. Prosecutors say Ali drank for nearly six hours at three Manhattan bars, reaching a blood alcohol content of .158, almost twice the legal limit. After hitting Esiyok, Ali continued, injuring a cyclist, two more pedestrians, and crashing into a van. The family’s lawsuit cites New York’s Dram Shop Act, which holds bars liable for serving visibly drunk patrons who later cause harm. The article quotes the family’s lawyer: “The family is devastated. They’re still in disbelief.” The case highlights failures in both driver responsibility and alcohol-serving oversight.

• Drunk Driver Kills Immigrant Pedestrian in Manhattan, New York Post, Published 2025-06-07

Jun 6 - Motorscooter slammed front-first on E 138 St. Driver thrown, leg torn, conscious but hurt. No other vehicles listed. Police cite unspecified factors.

A motorscooter driver was ejected and injured while making a right turn on E 138 St at Walton Ave in the Bronx. According to the police report, the driver suffered abrasions and injuries to the lower leg and foot but remained conscious. The report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor, with no mention of other vehicles or pedestrians involved. The point of impact was the center front end of the scooter, which showed no damage. No helmet or signal use is listed as a factor. The crash highlights the vulnerability of scooter riders on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819855 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 3 - A box truck and sedan collided on Cypress Avenue at East 133rd Street. Three people suffered injuries. Police cited driver inattention for both vehicles. Metal twisted. Bodies hurt. The street bore the cost of distraction.

A crash involving a box truck and a sedan occurred at Cypress Avenue and East 133rd Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling east when they collided. Three occupants—two passengers and one driver—sustained injuries to their entire bodies. All injured parties were conscious at the scene. Police listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both drivers. The report notes internal injuries for those hurt. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose focus, as documented by the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817890 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 2 - An SUV hit a man crossing Bruckner Blvd with the signal. He suffered a bruised leg. Police cite driver inattention and confusion as factors.

A 34-year-old man was struck by an SUV while crossing Bruckner Blvd at E 138 St. He was crossing with the signal and suffered a contusion to his leg. According to the police report, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. The SUV was making a left turn when it hit the pedestrian. The driver, a 34-year-old woman, was licensed and uninjured. The report lists driver inattention as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819183 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 2 - A man stood on the RFK Bridge. A car hit him. The driver fled. Police found the man, lifeless, on the Manhattan-bound roadway. No arrests. The bridge stayed open. The city kept moving. The investigation drags on.

ABC7 reported on June 2, 2025, that a pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run on the RFK Bridge near 125th Street. Police said the man, identity unknown, was struck by a vehicle 'as it was exiting the RFK Bridge.' The driver did not stop. Officers responded just before 1 p.m. and found the victim on the Manhattan-bound roadway. He was pronounced dead at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem. No arrests have been made. The incident highlights the persistent danger for pedestrians on major city crossings and the ongoing problem of drivers fleeing crash scenes.

• Pedestrian Killed In RFK Bridge Hit-Run, ABC7, Published 2025-06-02

May 31 - Two taxis crashed at Lincoln Avenue and East 135th Street. Both drivers were distracted. A 26-year-old woman in the back seat was hurt. Metal twisted. Sirens cut the night. The city’s danger showed its teeth again.

Two taxis collided late at night at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and East 135th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, both drivers were inattentive or distracted at the time of the crash. The impact left a 26-year-old female passenger injured, suffering back pain and whiplash. Four other occupants, including both drivers, were listed with unspecified injuries. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both vehicles. The crash underscores the risk posed by driver distraction, with no mention of helmet or signal use as a factor. The force of the collision was enough to injure a young passenger, while the city streets remained unforgiving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817693 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 31 - Hundreds rode through Manhattan. They called out harsh summonses for e-bike riders. Police target cyclists with criminal charges for minor traffic moves. Drivers get tickets. Riders face court. The city’s rules hit the vulnerable. The streets stay dangerous.

Gothamist (2025-05-31) reports on a protest in Lower Manhattan against the NYPD’s policy of issuing criminal summonses to e-bike riders for traffic violations like running red lights or riding against traffic. Cyclists and advocates argue the penalties are harsher than those faced by drivers for similar actions. As one protester said, “It seems unfair to me that cyclists should receive a higher penalty for doing the same thing that a person in a car would do.” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch defended the crackdown, citing the lack of licensing for e-bikes as a challenge for enforcement, but acknowledged the need for legislative reform. The article highlights inconsistent enforcement and the risks faced by vulnerable road users, especially delivery workers. Policy gaps and unequal penalties expose systemic danger on city streets.

• E-Bike Riders Protest NYPD Crackdown, Gothamist, Published 2025-05-31

May 30 - A 16-year-old cyclist was struck and injured by an SUV on 3rd Avenue at East 146th Street. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience. The teen was ejected and suffered arm abrasions. The SUV driver was unhurt. The street stayed dangerous.

A crash on 3rd Avenue at East 146th Street in the Bronx left a 16-year-old bicyclist injured. According to the police report, the cyclist was ejected and sustained abrasions to the arm after a collision with a GMC SUV. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The SUV driver, a 45-year-old man, was not injured. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary causes remain the driver’s inattention and lack of experience. No other injuries were reported. The crash highlights the ongoing risks faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816745 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18