Kids Bleed While City Waits

May 16 - Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-05-16

Apr 15 - A 23-year-old woman was struck by an SUV on East 161 Street in the Bronx. She was crossing against the signal when the vehicle traveling west hit her with its right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered bruises and leg injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old female pedestrian was injured on East 161 Street near River Avenue in the Bronx. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal when a 2004 SUV traveling west struck her with its right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and going straight ahead. The vehicle sustained no damage. No driver errors such as failure to yield were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4621052 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 8 - A 60-year-old man riding a motorscooter crashed into a sedan on East 161 Street. The moped driver suffered bruises and arm injuries. Police cited unsafe speed as the cause. The sedan driver was licensed and uninjured.

According to the police report, a motorscooter traveling west on East 161 Street collided head-on with a northbound sedan. The moped driver, a 60-year-old man, was injured with contusions and arm bruises but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists unsafe speed as the contributing factor. The moped driver was unlicensed. The sedan, carrying two occupants with a licensed driver, sustained damage to its right front bumper. No injuries were reported for the sedan occupants. The crash highlights the dangers posed by speeding and unlicensed operation.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4621965 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 21 - A 65-year-old male sedan driver suffered chest injuries and shock after his vehicle was rear-ended by a parked SUV making a left turn. The impact struck the sedan’s front right bumper. The driver wore a lap belt and harness and was not ejected.

According to the police report, a 65-year-old male driver in a sedan was injured when a parked SUV struck the sedan’s front right bumper while making a left turn on East 162 Street. The driver sustained chest injuries and was in shock but was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists "Other Vehicular" as a contributing factor but does not specify driver errors. The SUV was stationary before the crash, and the sedan was traveling west. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The driver complained of pain and nausea following the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4614740 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 21 - Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Feb 13 - Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Jan 24 - Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24

Jan 13 - Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.

Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.

• File A 1280, Open States, Published 2023-01-13

Dec 18 - SUV made an improper turn on Jerome Avenue. It struck a moped. Both riders thrown. Hips and legs shattered. Police cite turning error and failure to yield.

According to the police report, a Jeep SUV made an improper turn on Jerome Avenue and struck a southbound moped. The crash ejected both moped riders, ages 16 and 18. Both suffered serious hip and leg injuries, including fractures and dislocations. The report lists the SUV driver's errors as "Turning Improperly" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." Neither moped occupant wore safety equipment. The moped was demolished. The SUV driver was licensed. The moped driver was unlicensed. The crash underscores the danger of improper turns and failure to yield in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4591117 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 17 - Lawmakers and advocates rallied in Manhattan. They demanded more money for the MTA. They want six-minute bus and subway service. They warned against service cuts and fare hikes. They called for gas tax revenue to fund transit. Riders need safe, frequent service.

On November 17, 2022, state legislators and transit advocates pressed for increased MTA funding and six-minute off-peak service. The push comes ahead of the next budget cycle. Assembly Members Zohran Mamdani and Amanda Septimo, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher led the call. Mamdani said, 'If we implement six-minute service, the consequences would be felt for riders across all aspects of their life.' Septimo called transit an economic and racial justice issue. Gounardes urged the governor to include MTA funding in the initial budget. Gallagher criticized the gas tax holiday, urging funds go to transit. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber warned that cuts or fare hikes would devastate working- and middle-class New Yorkers. The group demanded action to protect and improve transit for all riders.

• Legislators and Advocates Press Case For MTA Rescue And Six-Minute Service, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-17

Sep 22 - Council Member Stevens and others urge DOT to fix the Washington Bridge. They want a two-way bike lane, wider walkways, better lights, and cameras. The bridge is old, narrow, and dark. Crossing is risky. They demand action to protect people.

On September 22, 2022, Council Member Althea Stevens joined Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, and Council Member Carmen de la Rosa in a joint letter to the Department of Transportation. The letter calls for urgent upgrades to the 133-year-old Washington Bridge. The officials demand a two-way protected bike lane, wider pedestrian paths, improved lighting, and safety cameras. The letter states: 'The city has done a terrific job of making wise investments in improving mobility on both sides of the Harlem River, but left the bridge with just two very narrow, poorly lit lanes for foot and bike traffic.' Stevens and her colleagues stress that the bridge is unsafe for people on foot and bike. They urge DOT to act, citing the need to reduce traffic deaths and make the bridge safe for all.

• Exclusive: BPs Levine and Gibson pen letter to DOT calling for upgrades to Washington Bridge, amny.com, Published 2022-09-22

Aug 25 - Two SUVs crashed at East 161st and River. One slammed a parked car. A 69-year-old woman, driving alone, died. Another driver suffered a head injury. The street was quiet before metal tore and lives changed.

Two sport utility vehicles collided at the corner of East 161st Street and River Avenue in the Bronx. According to the police report, the crash happened in the early morning darkness. One SUV struck a parked car. A 69-year-old woman, driving alone, was killed. Another driver, a 24-year-old man, suffered a head injury and concussion. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor in the crash. No other driver errors are noted. Helmet use or turn signals are not mentioned as factors. The impact left two vehicles demolished and the street marked by loss.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4558356 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 21 - A bike struck a four-year-old girl off River Avenue. Blood streamed from her face. She stayed conscious. The cyclist did not stop. The bike rolled on, leaving the child injured and alone.

A four-year-old girl was hit by a cyclist near River Avenue and East 164th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, 'A bike struck a 4-year-old girl off the roadway. Blood poured from her face. She stayed conscious. The rider did not stop.' The child suffered severe bleeding to her face but remained conscious. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The cyclist continued north without stopping. No mention of helmet use or signaling appears in the report. The crash left a young pedestrian injured and the cyclist unaccounted for.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4563623 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 20 - An e-bike and sedan collided on River Avenue. The e-bike driver, 25, suffered shoulder and upper arm abrasions. The sedan was parked. The crash involved passing too closely and driver distraction. The e-bike driver was unlicensed and injured but conscious.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old male e-bike driver traveling north on River Avenue collided with a parked sedan. The e-bike struck the sedan's left side doors, damaging its left front quarter panel. The e-bike driver sustained abrasions to the shoulder and upper arm and was conscious at the scene. Contributing factors included passing too closely and driver inattention or distraction. The e-bike driver was unlicensed, holding a license from Mexico. The sedan driver was licensed and parked at the time of impact. No helmet or signaling factors were noted. The crash highlights driver errors related to close passing and distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4557052 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 21 - Two SUVs collided on Jerome Avenue. A female driver and a child passenger suffered internal injuries. Both were conscious and not ejected. The crash involved failure to yield right-of-way. Damage hit rear quarter panels and front bumper.

According to the police report, two station wagons/SUVs collided on Jerome Avenue. The crash injured a 30-year-old female driver and a young male passenger, who suffered internal injuries to the back and entire body respectively. Both occupants were conscious and remained inside the vehicles. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor to the crash. One SUV was traveling south, the other north, with impact on left rear quarter and right front bumper areas. The female driver was licensed in Pennsylvania, and the male driver in New York. The child passenger was restrained with a child safety device. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4543165 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 2 - Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-06-02

Jun 1 - Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-06-01

May 31 - Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-05-31

May 23 - Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-05-23

May 23 - Senate and Assembly passed S 1078. New drivers must now learn how to avoid hitting people on foot or bike. Law aims to cut crashes at the root—before drivers get the keys.

Bill S 1078, introduced in the Senate on April 27, 2021, requires pedestrian and bicyclist safety instruction in the drivers pre-licensing course. The bill moved through committee and passed the Senate and Assembly, with key votes on May 20, 2021, February 1, 2022, May 16, 2022, and May 23, 2022. The matter summary reads: 'Requires instruction in pedestrian and bicyclist safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing course.' Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, joined by Bailey, Biaggi, Brisport, Cleare, Comrie, and others. The measure targets driver ignorance, a root cause of deadly crashes, by putting vulnerable road users at the center of driver education.

• File S 1078, Open States, Published 2022-05-23