No More Excuses: Demand Safe Streets Before Another Life Is Lost

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Families for Safe Streets rallied outside Speaker Heastie’s office. They demanded action on Sammy’s Law. The bill would let New York City set its own speed limits. Lawmakers dodged a vote. Grief and anger filled the air. The Assembly stayed silent.

On June 5, 2023, supporters of Sammy’s Law gathered outside Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie’s Bronx office. The bill, which would grant New York City local control over its speed limits, remains stalled in the Assembly. The rally, led by Families for Safe Streets, called out lawmakers for refusing to bring the measure to a vote. Fabiola Mendieta-Cuapio, a leading advocate, criticized the lack of transparency: 'We are demanding that the Speaker bring this to a vote.' Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz voiced strong support, but others, like Chantel Jackson, hesitated, citing constituent feedback. The bill’s matter summary states it would not mandate lower limits but allow the city to decide. The legislative process left families of crash victims frustrated and angry. The Assembly’s inaction keeps city streets dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Supporters of Sammy’s Law Rally Heastie and Share Frustrations About Assembly’s Inaction on Speed Limit Reduction, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-05

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 2023-06-01

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 2023-05-31

NYPD and Jo Anne Simon call for tougher drunk driving laws. Police ramp up DWI patrols for Memorial Day. Officials urge Albany to drop legal BAC to .05%. They cite rising deaths. Advocates say alcohol fuels a third of crashes. Streets stay deadly.

On May 26, 2023, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon (District 52) joined NYPD and city officials to announce increased traffic enforcement for Memorial Day and to advocate for state legislation lowering the legal blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) threshold from .08% to .05%. The announcement, made at One Police Plaza, highlighted the bill sponsored by Simon and Sen. John Liu. The matter summary states, 'Officials called on Albany to pass legislation to lower the BAC threshold to .05%, arguing it would reduce DWI fatalities by about 10% and align with other countries.' Simon declared, 'Lowering the BAC limit from .08% to .05% is desperately needed to adequately tackle this epidemic of traffic violence.' NYPD Chief Kim Royster and DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez echoed the urgency. The bill awaits action in Albany. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but officials cite 43 NYC DWI deaths in 2021 and say 30% of state crashes involve alcohol.

• NYPD to step up enforcement of drink driving over Memorial Day weekend, amny.com, Published 2023-05-26

Sedan swung a bad U-turn on Riverdale Avenue. It hit a northbound motorcycle. The rider, 37, took the blow to his leg and foot. Metal bent. Flesh bruised. The street held the pain.

According to the police report, a sedan making an improper U-turn on Riverdale Avenue collided with a motorcycle traveling north. The motorcycle driver, a 37-year-old man, suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists "Turning Improperly" as a contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the sedan operator. The motorcycle was struck on its left rear bumper, while the sedan's front end was damaged. The injured rider was wearing a helmet. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4632463 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Council backs home rule for Sammy’s Law. The move lets New York City set speed limits below 25 mph. Lawmakers and advocates say lower speeds mean fewer deaths. The bill honors Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a reckless driver. The vote puts safety first.

Bill: Home rule message for Sammy’s Law. Status: Poised for passage by the City Council on May 24, 2023. Committee: State and Federal Legislation, chaired by Council Member Shaun Abreu. The measure, titled 'City Council Poised to Pass ‘Home Rule’ Message for Sammy’s Law on Thursday,' lets New York City lower speed limits below 25 mph. Council Member Jen Gutierrez announced the Council’s intent to pass it, calling it crucial for safety. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'The city's ability to control the speed limits on its streets plays a crucial role in delivering traffic safety.' Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Mayor Eric Adams, and State Senator Andrew Gounardes all support the move. The bill honors Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a reckless driver. Data cited shows lower speed limits increase pedestrian survival. Advocates stress urgency to protect New Yorkers.

• City Council Poised to Pass ‘Home Rule’ Message for Sammy’s Law on Thursday, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-24

Council Member Brooks-Powers wants more parking. She says it will clear bus and bike lanes. DOT officials push back. They say streets must serve all. Brooks-Powers opposes bus lanes and safety redesigns, even as deaths rise in her district.

At a May 22, 2023 DOT budget hearing, Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, chair of the Transportation Committee, called for more municipal parking citywide. She argued, "DOT has a responsibility to also ensure that there also is parking, even municipal lots or garages available, as we look to share the street." Brooks-Powers claimed more parking would clear cars from bus and bike lanes. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Executive Deputy Commissioner Paul Ochoa disagreed, stressing the need to share streets among all users. Brooks-Powers has opposed bus lane projects and a safety redesign in her own district, despite high traffic fatality rates. Her stance favors drivers, not vulnerable road users. No safety analyst has assessed the impact, but her opposition to proven safety measures puts pedestrians and cyclists at risk.

• Council Transportation Committee Chair Says City Needs More Parking, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-22

A 36-year-old man was struck by an SUV traveling north on Irwin Avenue. The impact hit the pedestrian’s abdomen and pelvis, causing bruises and contusions. The driver’s unsafe speed and aggressive driving led to the crash.

According to the police report, a GMC SUV traveling north on Irwin Avenue struck a 36-year-old male pedestrian at an intersection in the Bronx. The pedestrian was injured in the abdomen and pelvis, suffering contusions and bruises. The report lists the driver’s unsafe speed and aggressive driving or road rage as contributing factors. The point of impact was the vehicle’s left front bumper. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash and was located in the roadway at the time of impact. There was no damage reported to the vehicle. The driver was going straight ahead before the collision. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4630497 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

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

A southbound SUV struck a parked sedan’s left rear quarter panel on Exterior Street in the Bronx. The SUV overturned. Three occupants suffered injuries including concussion and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, a 2018 Hyundai SUV traveling southbound on Exterior Street collided with the left rear quarter panel of a parked 2009 sedan. The impact caused the SUV to overturn. Three occupants were injured: a 42-year-old female driver with a concussion, a 52-year-old male driver with back injuries and whiplash, and a 55-year-old male front passenger with head injuries and whiplash. All were conscious and not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. There were no other specified driver errors or victim factors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4631285 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

E-bike and sedan crashed westbound on West 238 Street. The e-bike rider, 28, took a head injury. Both vehicles struck front ends. No driver errors listed. The street stayed dangerous. The rider stayed conscious.

According to the police report, an e-bike and a sedan collided while both traveled westbound on West 238 Street in the Bronx. The 28-year-old e-bike rider suffered a head injury and internal complaints but remained conscious and was not ejected. The sedan, driven by a licensed woman, was hit on its left front bumper. The e-bike took damage to its center front end. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond 'unspecified.' No helmet or safety equipment was used by the e-bike rider. The crash left the e-bike rider with injury severity level 3.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4628623 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A tractor truck slammed into the rear of an SUV on the Major Deegan Expressway. The SUV driver, a 32-year-old man, suffered neck injuries but was conscious and restrained. Both vehicles traveled southbound. No clear driver errors were reported.

According to the police report, a tractor truck traveling southbound on the Major Deegan Expressway collided with the rear of a southbound SUV. The SUV driver, a 32-year-old man, was injured in the neck but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors for this crash. The point of impact was the center front end of the truck striking the center back end of the SUV. Both vehicles were moving straight ahead at the time of the collision. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The driver of the SUV was the only injured party, sustaining internal complaints related to the neck injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4629096 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

NYC DOT opened a portal for public reports on double-parking and blocked lanes. Councilmember Amanda Farías called double-parking chronic and dangerous. The city seeks data to target problem spots. No cash reward, just a shot at safer streets.

On May 3, 2023, the NYC Department of Transportation launched a public reporting portal for double-parking and blocked lanes. The initiative, not tied to a specific bill number, follows a 2021 law requiring DOT to consider public feedback when creating new loading zones. The portal lets users pinpoint and describe street obstructions. Councilmember Amanda Farías of District 18, who is mentioned in connection with the launch, stated, 'Double-parking is a chronic issue throughout our city, and is one of the largest quality of life issues facing my district everyday.' She added, 'It is not only illegal to double-park your car, but it puts others in danger when neighbors are unable to cross traffic safely, congestion is added to our streets, crossways and bike lanes are blocked, and emergency vehicles cannot respond in time.' The portal aims to collect data on dangerous spots, focusing city attention on hazards that threaten pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency response.

• Hate double-parking in NYC? You can now snitch on offenders., gothamist.com, Published 2023-05-03

An 83-year-old woman was struck while crossing Tibbet Avenue at a marked crosswalk. The sedan hit her center front end. She suffered upper arm and shoulder injuries but remained conscious. No driver errors were listed in the report.

According to the police report, an 83-year-old female pedestrian was injured crossing Tibbet Avenue at a marked crosswalk. She was struck by a 2015 Toyota sedan traveling eastbound. The vehicle impacted her at the center front end. The pedestrian suffered internal injuries to her shoulder and upper arm but remained conscious. The report lists no contributing driver factors such as failure to yield or speeding. The sedan showed no damage, and the driver was alone. The pedestrian’s crossing was without signal. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The report does not assign fault or blame to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4628626 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A sedan traveling north struck a southbound bicyclist on Broadway in the Bronx. The cyclist suffered neck injuries and whiplash, left shaken but not ejected. The sedan’s right front quarter panel took the impact. The cyclist wore no helmet.

According to the police report, a northbound sedan collided with a southbound bicyclist at 5665 Broadway in the Bronx. The bicyclist, a 25-year-old male, sustained neck injuries and whiplash, experiencing shock but was not ejected from the bike. The sedan’s right front quarter panel was the point of impact. The sedan driver was licensed; the bicyclist was unlicensed. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead. The report lists no specific contributing factors for the crash. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet. The collision caused significant injury to the bicyclist, highlighting the dangers faced by vulnerable road users in this area.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4624414 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

City Council passed a bill forcing DOT to daylight 100 intersections a year. The law follows child deaths and demands clear sight lines. Council Member Brooks-Powers led the charge. Seven voted no. DOT must study effects before rollout in 2025.

Bill number not specified. Passed by City Council on April 28, 2023, after review by the transportation committee. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Queens), committee chair, sponsored the bill. The measure requires the Department of Transportation to study daylighting—removing parking near corners to improve visibility—and then install it at 100 intersections each year starting in 2025. The bill’s matter title: 'The Department of Transportation must study the safety benefits of 'daylighting' and implement the street safety measure that helps improve visibility at a minimum of 100 intersections each year.' Brooks-Powers said, 'Daylighting is a proven safety measure that expands sight lines at intersections, where traffic violence often seems to take place.' The Council voted 40-7. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez initially objected, citing concerns about driver speed, but supported the amended bill requiring physical barriers. The law comes after the death of 7-year-old Dolma Naadhun at a non-daylighted intersection.

• New Law Requires ‘Daylighting’ At 100 Intersections Each Year — After ‘Study’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-28