Parkchester Bleeds While Politicians Stall—Lower the Speed, Save a Life

Feb 14 - Assembly bill A 5440 targets reckless drivers. It makes car owners pay when their vehicles run red lights. Cameras catch the lawbreakers. The aim: fewer crashes, safer streets for all.

Assembly bill A 5440 was introduced on February 14, 2025, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled "Imposes owner liability for failure of an operator to comply with traffic control indicators within the city of New York," seeks to hold vehicle owners accountable when their cars violate traffic signals, using camera enforcement. Assembly Member Steven Raga sponsors the bill, joined by Rebecca Seawright, Tony Simone, Yudelka Tapia, Karines Reyes, and Marcela Mitaynes as co-sponsors. No safety analyst note is available. The bill aims to curb dangerous driving and protect vulnerable road users by making owners answer for violations caught on camera.

• File A 5440, Open States, Published 2025-02-14

Feb 13 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

Feb 13 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

Feb 2 - An SUV slammed into the rear of a slowing sedan on Metropolitan Avenue in the Bronx. The impact injured a right rear passenger, causing neck trauma and whiplash. Police cite following too closely as the primary driver error in this crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:10 on Metropolitan Avenue in the Bronx. A station wagon/SUV traveling east rear-ended a sedan also traveling east that was slowing or stopping. The point of impact was the center front end of the SUV striking the center back end of the sedan. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for the collision. A 29-year-old male occupant seated in the right rear of the sedan was injured, suffering neck injuries and whiplash. He was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior. The crash highlights the dangers of tailgating and failure to maintain safe distance on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790990 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jan 28 - A 69-year-old woman was struck at an intersection in the Bronx while crossing with the signal. She suffered a hip and upper leg injury and was incoherent after the impact. The vehicle struck her head-on while traveling southbound.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Unionport Road in the Bronx at 8:02 AM. The 69-year-old female pedestrian was crossing with the signal when she was struck by a vehicle traveling southbound, which impacted her at the center front end. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg, resulting in contusions and bruises, and was incoherent following the collision. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not specify any driver errors or violations such as failure to yield. The vehicle was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No information on driver license status or vehicle details was provided. The pedestrian was not ejected and was located at the intersection during the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790372 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jan 24 - A northbound SUV making a left turn struck a southbound sedan traveling straight on Castle Hill Ave in the Bronx. The sedan driver suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited failure to yield and unsafe speed as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Castle Hill Ave in the Bronx at 16:09. A northbound SUV was making a left turn when it collided with a southbound sedan going straight ahead. The sedan's driver, a 23-year-old male, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and was conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the collision. The sedan driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The collision caused damage to the left front bumpers of both vehicles. The evidence points to driver errors by the SUV driver failing to yield and unsafe speed as central causes of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788164 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jan 17 - A city bus teetered over a Bronx overpass after swerving to dodge a double-parked car. Steel scraped concrete. Debris rained down. No one was hurt. The wall broke. The rules broke first.

NY1 reported on January 17, 2025, that a BxM1 MTA bus nearly plunged from the Henry Hudson Parkway overpass after the driver swerved to avoid an illegally double-parked car. The bus crashed into the wall, leaving it hanging over the edge. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said, "We’re told by the MTA that the bus was trying to get around an illegally double-parked car, and he hit the wall and went through it." No injuries were reported, but the crash caused structural damage and scattered debris below. City Councilman Eric Dinowitz noted, "It speaks to the importance of enforcing our parking rules because it was going around a double-parked car." The incident highlights the danger posed by lax parking enforcement and infrastructure vulnerable to impact.

• MTA Bus Hangs Off Bronx Overpass, NY1, Published 2025-01-17

Jan 16 - Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

Jan 8 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly crossings for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, forces the Department of Transportation to install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. The bill, sponsored by Farah N. Louis (primary) and co-sponsored by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, Ariola, and others, passed on March 15, 2025. The law demands annual reporting on compliance and reasons for any delay. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Quick, visible lines cut confusion and protect people crossing or riding. The law took effect immediately.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Senate bill S 131 demands complete street design for state-funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. Guidance will go public. Streets could change. Pedestrians and cyclists stand to gain.

Senate bill S 131 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force safer street planning. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by co-sponsors Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Leroy Comrie, Jeremy Cooney, Nathalia Fernandez, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Robert Jackson, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, Christopher Ryan, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish guidance on street design. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 131, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 2 - A 41-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a Mitsubishi Fuso truck backed unsafely in the Bronx. The driver’s unsafe backing caused the collision, leaving the pedestrian in shock with visible trauma but no external complaints.

According to the police report, a Mitsubishi Fuso truck was traveling north near 1314 Virginia Ave in the Bronx at 5:14 AM when the driver backed unsafely. This unsafe backing led to a collision with a 41-year-old male pedestrian. The pedestrian was injured, sustaining trauma to the knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock. The report explicitly cites 'Backing Unsafely' as the contributing factor for both the vehicle and pedestrian. The truck showed no visible damage, indicating the impact was likely low-speed but sufficient to cause injury. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No pedestrian behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The incident highlights the dangers posed by vehicle backing maneuvers in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784455 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03