One Crash, One Death, One Demand: Slow Bartow Down Now

Feb 28 - Council moves to create a DOT parking squad. The bill targets illegal parking. Sponsors say it will enforce rules. Streets choke on blocked lanes. Pedestrians and cyclists pay the price.

Bill Int 0264-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it would require the Department of Transportation to form a unit focused on parking violations. The matter title reads: 'Establishment of a parking enforcement unit within the department of transportation.' Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Crystal Hudson, Erik D. Bottcher, and others. The bill aims to crack down on illegal parking, a known threat to people on foot and bike. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but blocked lanes endanger all who travel outside a car.

• File Int 0264-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council bill orders speed humps on roads beside parks over one acre. DOT can skip spots if safety or rules demand. Law aims to slow cars where families walk, run, and play.

Int 0262-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill reads: “requiring the installation of speed humps on roadways adjacent to any park equal or greater than one acre.” Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by eighteen co-sponsors. The Department of Transportation must install speed humps unless the commissioner finds a risk to safety or a conflict with DOT guidelines. The law would take effect 180 days after passage. The measure targets streets where parks meet traffic, aiming to slow cars and shield people outside vehicles.

• File Int 0262-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 17 - A sedan traveling north struck its right rear passenger, causing upper arm and shoulder injuries. The passenger suffered whiplash but was not ejected. The crash involved a tractor truck nearby, with no clear driver errors cited in the report.

According to the police report, a 2007 Honda sedan traveling north on Conner Street impacted its right front bumper, injuring a 55-year-old female occupant seated in the right rear passenger position. She sustained upper arm and shoulder injuries and complained of whiplash. The passenger was conscious and secured with a lap belt and harness. The report notes no ejection occurred. A 2023 diesel tractor truck was also involved in the incident, though no damage or impact details were provided for this vehicle. The police report does not specify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Contributing factors for the injury were listed as unspecified. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4706692 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - 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 2024-02-13

Feb 8 - Council moves to force brighter sidewalks. Bill orders 500 corridors lit each year. Shadows shrink. Pedestrians gain ground. Committee holds the bill. Streets wait.

Int 0079-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 8, 2024. The bill demands the city install pedestrian lighting in at least 500 commercial corridors per year, aiming for a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) on every sidewalk. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installation of pedestrian lighting fixtures.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Krishnan, Bottcher, and others. The committee has not yet voted. The bill’s text sets clear targets for coverage and contiguity, but action is stalled. Vulnerable road users remain in the dark until the city acts.

• File Int 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

Feb 5 - Two men suffered whiplash and full-body injuries when a 2014 Toyota sedan, driven by an unlicensed man making a left turn, collided with a 2015 Ford sedan traveling straight on Baychester Avenue in the Bronx. Both occupants were restrained but injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:32 PM on Baychester Avenue in the Bronx. A 2014 Toyota sedan, driven by an unlicensed male driver making a left turn, struck the left side doors of a 2015 Ford sedan traveling straight south. Both vehicles sustained center front and left side door damage respectively. The Ford carried two male occupants, both 26 years old, who were wearing lap belts and harnesses. Both suffered whiplash and injuries to their entire bodies. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the primary contributing factor, indicating driver error by the Toyota driver. The Ford driver was licensed and not cited for contributing factors. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers ignoring traffic controls, especially when unlicensed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701827 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 22 - An aggressive SUV driver struck a 23-year-old male e-scooter rider in the Bronx late at night. The rider suffered abrasions to his face but was conscious and not ejected. Police cited aggressive driving and road rage as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred near 2104 Bartow Avenue in the Bronx at 11:40 p.m. A 23-year-old male e-scooter rider was injured, sustaining abrasions to his face. The report identifies aggressive driving and road rage by the SUV driver as primary contributing factors. The SUV, a 2023 Tesla SUV traveling north and slowing or stopping before impact, struck the e-scooter with its right front bumper. The e-scooter rider was not ejected and remained conscious after the collision. The report also notes pedestrian/bicyclist confusion but emphasizes the aggressive driving behavior of the SUV driver. No safety equipment was used by the e-scooter rider, but this was not listed as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the driver's aggressive conduct and the resulting collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4698407 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 22 - An eastbound SUV struck a parked SUV on Rombouts Avenue in the Bronx. The driver of the parked vehicle suffered whiplash and full-body injury. Police cited glare as a contributing factor in the crash, highlighting driver visibility issues.

According to the police report, at 19:15 on Rombouts Avenue in the Bronx, an eastbound SUV driven by a licensed female driver struck the rear of a parked SUV. The impact was centered on the front end of the moving SUV and the back end of the parked vehicle. The driver of the parked SUV, a 45-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, was injured with whiplash and injuries to his entire body. The report lists glare as a contributing factor, indicating reduced visibility for the moving driver. No other driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited. The collision caused significant damage to both vehicles, with the moving SUV sustaining front-end damage and the parked SUV rear-end damage. The report does not attribute fault to the injured driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4697463 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 13 - A 28-year-old female driver in an SUV struck the back of a slowing truck on Hutchinson River Parkway. She suffered back injuries and whiplash. Slippery pavement and poor lane markings contributed. The SUV’s rear and truck’s front were damaged.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old female driver in a 2019 SUV was injured when her vehicle rear-ended a slowing 2022 pickup truck on Hutchinson River Parkway. The driver suffered back injuries and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists slippery pavement and improper or inadequate lane markings as contributing factors. Both vehicles were traveling north, with the SUV impacting the center back end of the truck. A third vehicle, a parked 2015 sedan, was also involved but not directly impacted in the collision. The report does not indicate any driver errors beyond the environmental and roadway conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4689366 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 1 - A Ford SUV struck a Nissan sedan from behind on Givan Avenue in the Bronx. The sedan’s male driver, 31, was injured and incoherent. Airbags deployed. Alcohol involvement was noted. Both vehicles were traveling north, going straight ahead.

According to the police report, a 2005 Ford SUV rear-ended a 2017 Nissan sedan on Givan Avenue in the Bronx. The sedan’s 31-year-old male driver was injured and incoherent but not ejected. Airbags deployed in the sedan. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling north, going straight ahead, when the SUV struck the sedan’s center back end with its center back end. The driver errors include alcohol involvement, which likely impaired the SUV driver’s ability to maintain safe distance or control. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4685565 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 30 - A 67-year-old man was hit by an SUV while crossing at a marked crosswalk on Bartow Avenue. The driver was making a left turn. The pedestrian suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation. Glare and lighting defects contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 67-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing at a marked crosswalk on Bartow Avenue in the Bronx. The driver, a licensed female operating a 2007 Honda SUV, was making a left turn when the vehicle struck the pedestrian at the center front end. The pedestrian sustained a fractured and dislocated shoulder. The report lists glare and other lighting defects as contributing factors. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were explicitly noted. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. The vehicle sustained damage to the left front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4683815 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 7 - SUV rear-ends sedan on Hutchinson River Parkway East. Impact injures 71-year-old woman riding in back seat. Both drivers react to unrelated vehicles. Head wound. She stays conscious. No ejection.

According to the police report, a northbound SUV struck the rear of a sedan on Hutchinson River Parkway East in the Bronx. The crash injured a 71-year-old female passenger in the sedan, causing a head abrasion. She was conscious and not ejected. The report lists "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle" as the contributing factor for both drivers, showing driver error in response to other traffic. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The injured passenger was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash underscores the risk when drivers react suddenly to other vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679778 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 3 - A 59-year-old woman was struck while crossing a marked crosswalk in the Bronx. The SUV was backing up when it hit her. She suffered a hip and upper leg contusion. The driver caused the crash by backing without clear visibility.

According to the police report, a 59-year-old female pedestrian was injured in the Bronx when a 2001 Honda SUV backed into her. The pedestrian was crossing a marked crosswalk without a signal when the vehicle, traveling in reverse, struck her at the center back end. The impact caused a contusion and bruising to her hip and upper leg. The driver, a licensed male from New York, was the sole occupant of the SUV. The report lists the pre-crash action as backing and the point of impact as the vehicle's center back end. No specific driver errors like failure to yield were noted, but backing without clear visibility was the critical factor. The pedestrian’s contributing factors were unspecified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677399 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 28 - A 72-year-old woman was hit by an SUV making a right turn on Bartow Avenue in the Bronx. She was crossing with the signal when the vehicle failed to yield right-of-way. She suffered bruises and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 72-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing at an intersection on Bartow Avenue in the Bronx. The driver of a 2014 SUV, making a right turn, failed to yield the right-of-way, striking the pedestrian with the vehicle's right front bumper. The pedestrian was conscious and suffered contusions and injuries to her entire body. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the time of the collision. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674973 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 17 - A sedan slammed into two stopped cars on Hutchinson River Parkway East. The driver, a 64-year-old man, bled from the head. He had fallen asleep. Metal twisted. Traffic waited. The road stayed hard. No mercy for mistakes.

A 64-year-old man driving a sedan crashed into two stopped vehicles on Hutchinson River Parkway East in the Bronx. According to the police report, the driver 'fell asleep' and struck the cars ahead, causing severe head bleeding. The report lists 'Fell Asleep' and 'Backing Unsafely' as contributing factors. The impact damaged the front and rear ends of the vehicles. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The injured driver was conscious at the scene. The crash highlights the danger when drivers lose alertness behind the wheel. The police report makes no mention of helmet or signal use as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673178 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 10 - A 61-year-old moped driver was ejected and injured in a collision with an SUV on Tillotson Avenue. The moped suffered right front damage. The SUV struck the moped head-on. The rider fractured and dislocated his lower leg and foot.

According to the police report, a 61-year-old male moped driver was injured after a collision with a 2018 Audi SUV on Tillotson Avenue. The SUV, driven by a licensed female driver, was traveling northwest going straight ahead. The moped, driven by a male with a learner's permit, was traveling north. The vehicles collided with impact to the SUV's center front end and the moped's right front quarter panel. The moped driver was ejected and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not assign fault to the moped driver. No safety equipment was noted for the moped driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669508 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 3 - A 16-year-old boy on a bike was struck by a 2002 Toyota SUV turning right in the Bronx. The cyclist suffered back contusions but was conscious and wearing a helmet. The SUV hit the bike’s front center with its left front bumper.

According to the police report, a 16-year-old male bicyclist traveling west was hit by a 2002 Toyota SUV making a right turn southeast on Coop City Boulevard in the Bronx. The collision occurred at the left front bumper of the SUV and the center front end of the bike. The bicyclist sustained back contusions and was conscious at the scene. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors for the crash. The cyclist was wearing a helmet at the time. The SUV driver was licensed in New York. The crash highlights the danger posed by turning vehicles to cyclists traveling straight.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4667478 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 27 - Assembly bill A 8079 would force scooter riders to get licensed, insured, and schooled. No license, no sale. Lawmakers push paperwork, not street fixes. Vulnerable users still face the same steel threat.

Assembly Bill A 8079, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Filed September 27, 2023, it aims to require a safety manual, licensing, and insurance for electric scooter operators in New York City. The bill summary reads: 'Establishes a bicycle and electric scooter operator's safety manual; provides for the issuance of a license...; requires liability insurance for electric scooters in cities having a population of one million or more.' Assembly Member John Zaccaro Jr. leads, with Rebecca Seawright, Michael Benedetto, Deborah Glick, Jeffrion Aubry, David McDonough, and Michael Novakhov co-sponsoring. The bill targets paperwork and compliance. It does not address the core dangers faced by pedestrians and cyclists on city streets.

• File A 8079, Open States, Published 2023-09-27

Sep 11 - A 47-year-old man was struck by a box truck backing up on Bartow Avenue in the Bronx. The pedestrian suffered fractures and dislocations to his lower leg and foot. The truck showed no damage. The victim was conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a box truck was backing on Bartow Avenue in the Bronx when it struck a 47-year-old male pedestrian not at an intersection. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The truck's point of impact was its left rear bumper, and it showed no visible damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle while backing. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any pedestrian errors or safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers posed by vehicles reversing in areas where pedestrians are present.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4662489 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 11 - SUV slammed into a moped’s rear on Tillotson Avenue. The 26-year-old moped rider took the hit, bruised his arm, stayed upright. Both vehicles headed north. Metal crumpled. The street stayed hard.

According to the police report, a 2014 Honda SUV struck a moped from behind on Tillotson Avenue in the Bronx. Both vehicles traveled north. The SUV hit the moped’s center front with its own center back end. The moped driver, a 26-year-old man, suffered bruises to his elbow and lower arm. He wore a helmet, was not ejected, and remained conscious. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not cite specific driver errors. The SUV driver was licensed and driving straight ahead. Both vehicles sustained damage at the points of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653678 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19