Steel Wins, Kids Lose—Lower the Limit Now

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

A 43-year-old woman was injured crossing at a marked crosswalk when a Ford SUV making a left turn hit her. The impact caused upper arm and shoulder injuries and whiplash. Limited driver visibility contributed to the collision in the Bronx.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV traveling southeast on Carpenter Avenue was making a left turn when it struck a 43-year-old female pedestrian crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front quarter panel, which sustained damage. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her shoulder and upper arm and complained of whiplash but remained conscious. The report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver's limited visibility during the turn. No other contributing factors or pedestrian errors were noted. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. This collision highlights the dangers posed by turning vehicles failing to adequately observe pedestrians in crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701672 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A northbound sedan struck the left rear quarter panel of a westbound sedan making a left turn on Bronx Boulevard. The female driver of the turning vehicle suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries, sustaining whiplash but remained conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:04 AM on Bronx Boulevard in the Bronx. The collision involved two sedans: a northbound Honda traveling straight ahead and a westbound Nissan making a left turn. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the Honda and the left rear quarter panel of the Nissan. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, indicating the northbound driver did not yield to the turning vehicle. The female driver of the Nissan was injured, suffering shoulder and upper arm injuries and whiplash. She was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior. The male driver of the Honda was licensed and traveling straight ahead. Vehicle damage was centered on the front end of the Honda and the left side doors of the Nissan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699700 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A sedan struck a 70-year-old woman crossing East 237 Street. The driver failed to yield while turning left. The woman suffered a bruised upper arm. She remained conscious. Driver error caused the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on East 237 Street struck a 70-year-old female pedestrian in a marked crosswalk. The driver was making a left turn and failed to yield the right-of-way. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal when the sedan’s center front end hit her upper arm, causing a contusion and bruising. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash and suffered a moderate injury. No vehicle damage was reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4702150 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

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 2024-01-30

Albany weighs bills A5259 and S2812 to keep and expand red-light cameras past December. Assembly Member Dinowitz and Senator Gounardes push for more cameras. DOT data shows fewer violations and crashes. Advocates demand action. The cap leaves neighborhoods exposed. Lives hang in the balance.

Bills A5259 and S2812 face debate in the New York State legislature. If lawmakers fail to act, the city’s red-light cameras—now capped at 150 intersections—will shut off December 1, 2024. The matter, described as 'reauthorize and expand the city's red-light camera program,' is championed by Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz and Senate co-sponsor Andrew Gounardes. Dinowitz, the sponsor, urges expansion, stating, 'We should have red-light cameras on every intersection.' Gounardes expects a review and expansion. DOT data backs them: violations and rear-end crashes have dropped at camera sites. Residents like Amy Bettys call the cap dangerous. Advocacy groups support the bills, though they are not a top priority. Dinowitz stresses automated enforcement is vital with limited police. The bills await committee action. Vulnerable road users face risk if the program lapses.

• Better Red Than Dead: Albany Takes Up Camera Reauthorization, Expansion, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-25

State lawmakers unlocked millions from the Outer Borough Transportation Account. The money will fund toll rebates and transit projects. Some cash backs driving. Some boosts buses. Advocates push for more bus service. Riders need better, faster, safer options now.

Bill: Outer Borough Transportation Account (OBTA) funding allocation. Status: Active as of January 24, 2024. Committee: State legislature, with final approval by the Capital Program Review Board. The OBTA, created in 2018, collects a taxi surcharge as 'Phase I' of congestion pricing. The first $300 million funded subway repairs; the next $50 million now goes to projects chosen by state legislators and the governor. The bill summary notes, 'A special fund created in 2018 to pay for transportation 'carrots' intended to counteract the supposed stick of congestion pricing finally has a balance of tens of millions of dollars.' Assembly Member Nily Rozic (D-Queens) secured restored Q46 bus service. Lisa Daglian of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA called for a weekly City Ticket. Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance demanded better bus service, saying, 'The most important thing is better bus service.' The fund will shape how New Yorkers travel as congestion pricing nears.

• The Money For Congestion Pricing ‘Carrots’ Is Finally Here, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-24

Advocates stormed Albany for Sammy’s Law. They want New York City to set its own speed limits. Last year, Speaker Heastie blocked a vote. Mothers starved in protest. Lawmakers stalled. Now, survivors and families demand action. Data shows lower speeds save lives.

On January 23, 2024, advocates launched a renewed push for Sammy’s Law in Albany. The bill, which would let New York City control its own speed limits, stalled last year when Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie refused to allow a vote, despite majority support. Brooklyn Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, a strong supporter, noted, 'Even [lawmakers] who had City Council members from their districts supporting the bill were still not interested.' Queens Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, recently injured by a driver, said, 'Had the car been going faster ... I might not be here.' Amy Cohen of Families for Safe Streets highlighted broad support: 'We have organizations from across the city supporting Sammy’s Law.' City data shows a 36% drop in pedestrian deaths after the 2014 speed limit reduction. The bill remains in limbo, but advocates are not backing down.

• This Year’s Mettle: The Push for Sammy’s Law Begins — With or Without Carl Heastie, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-23

A box truck traveling north in the Bronx struck a woman pushing a parked food trailer on Bronx Boulevard. The impact hit the truck’s right side doors. The woman suffered a back injury and remained conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old female occupant was injured while pushing or working on a parked food trailer on Bronx Boulevard in the Bronx. The box truck, traveling north, struck the woman on its right side doors. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating driver error related to vehicle operation. The woman sustained a back injury classified as severity level 3 and was conscious after the collision. The food trailer was parked at the time of impact. No pedestrian fault or victim behavior was cited as a contributing factor. The driver of the box truck was licensed and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695292 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

An SUV traveling north on East 234 Street struck an object or lost control, causing injury to the 66-year-old male driver. The crash involved unsafe speed and resulted in a knee and lower leg contusion. The driver was conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, a 66-year-old male driver of a 2018 Mazda SUV was injured in a crash on East 234 Street at 18:38. The vehicle was traveling north and impacted with its center front end, sustaining damage. The driver, who was wearing a lap belt and remained conscious, suffered contusions and bruises to the knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The driver was not ejected and no additional contributing factors were noted. This incident highlights the dangers posed by excessive speed on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4694941 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A motorcycle rider was ejected and seriously injured in a Bronx crash. An SUV made an improper U-turn on slippery pavement. The motorcycle overturned on impact. The rider suffered fractures and dislocations to the lower leg and foot.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male motorcycle driver was ejected and injured when an SUV made an improper U-turn on Bronxwood Avenue in the Bronx. The crash occurred on slippery pavement, contributing to the loss of control. The motorcycle overturned on impact, causing fractures and dislocations to the rider's knee, lower leg, and foot. The SUV driver, a licensed female from New York, was traveling south and struck the motorcycle with the left front bumper. The motorcycle driver was wearing a helmet. The primary driver error listed was "Turning Improperly." The motorcycle driver held a permit from Connecticut.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4688664 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

State lawmakers push Sammy’s Law after a deadly year. The bill gives New York City power to set its own speed limits. Advocates cite 257 lives lost to reckless drivers. Lower speeds mean fewer deaths. The fight continues in Albany.

Sammy’s Law, a state bill, would let New York City control its own speed limits. The measure stalled last year when Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie blocked a vote, despite support from Governor Hochul, the state Senate, Mayor Adams, and the City Council. Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, who sponsors the bill, rallied outside Heastie’s office, saying, 'Last year, 257 people were killed on New York City streets by reckless and speeding drivers. Each of these deaths was preventable.' Amy Cohen, whose son Sammy was killed in 2013, called for urgent action: 'We can’t wait any longer. People like Sammy, and so many others are dying on our streets.' Advocates point to a 36-percent drop in pedestrian deaths after the city lowered speed limits in 2014. The bill would not set new limits automatically, but would give the city the power to act.

• New Year, New Opportunity to Pass ‘Sammy’s Law’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-18

A 75-year-old man was struck while crossing Nereid Avenue in the Bronx. The impact hit the center front end of an unspecified vehicle. He suffered a fractured and dislocated lower leg and foot. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, a 75-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Nereid Avenue in the Bronx, away from an intersection or crosswalk. The vehicle involved struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The pedestrian sustained serious injuries including fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. The vehicle type and driver details were unspecified, and no safety equipment or signals were noted. The crash highlights the dangers pedestrians face even outside intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4688162 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A sedan struck another sedan making a left turn on Webster Avenue in the Bronx. The driver of the striking vehicle suffered chest injuries and shock. Unsafe speed and driver distraction caused the crash. Both vehicles sustained rear-end damage.

According to the police report, a 43-year-old male driver was injured when his sedan rear-ended another sedan making a left turn on Webster Avenue in the Bronx. The driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. The report lists unsafe speed and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The collision caused chest injuries and shock to the driver. Both vehicles were damaged at the center rear and center front ends respectively. The striking vehicle was traveling westbound, while the struck vehicle was making a northwest left turn. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4686064 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A sport utility vehicle hit a sedan’s right rear quarter panel on East 241 Street in the Bronx. The sedan’s female driver suffered head injuries and whiplash. Unsafe speed by the SUV was a contributing factor. Both vehicles traveled eastbound.

According to the police report, a sport utility vehicle traveling eastbound struck the right rear quarter panel of a sedan also heading east on East 241 Street in the Bronx. The sedan’s 52-year-old female driver, wearing a lap belt, sustained head injuries and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. The sedan was stopped in traffic before impact, while the SUV was going straight ahead. Damage occurred on the right side doors of the sedan and the left side doors of the SUV. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4684477 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A 36-year-old woman was hit by a bus turning left on Nereid Avenue in the Bronx. She was crossing with the signal when the bus’s left front bumper struck her. She suffered fractures and dislocations to her lower leg and foot.

According to the police report, a bus traveling east on Nereid Avenue was making a left turn when it struck a pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian, a 36-year-old woman, sustained fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver errors including Driver Inattention/Distraction and Failure to Yield Right-of-Way. The bus’s left front bumper was the point of impact, causing serious injury to the pedestrian. The driver was licensed and operating a 2006 Motor Coach Industries bus. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4678648 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A 62-year-old woman was struck by an SUV making a right turn on East 241 Street in the Bronx. She suffered a hip and upper leg injury. The driver was distracted. The pedestrian was confused while crossing outside a crosswalk.

According to the police report, a 62-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2014 SUV made a right turn on East 241 Street in the Bronx and struck her on the right side doors. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk and was confused, contributing to the crash. The driver was also inattentive and distracted. The pedestrian suffered contusions and bruises to her hip and upper leg. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and traveling north at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669440 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A sedan struck a 72-year-old male e-bike rider on East 232 Street in the Bronx. The cyclist suffered head injuries and contusions. The driver was distracted. The rider was not wearing a helmet. The crash caused front-end damage to the sedan.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on East 232 Street collided with an e-bike traveling south. The 72-year-old male bicyclist sustained head injuries and contusions, experiencing shock but was not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The sedan’s center front end was damaged on impact. The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet. The driver was licensed and going straight ahead before the crash. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving to vulnerable road users like older cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4668125 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A 29-year-old man was injured stepping from behind a parked SUV on East 233 Street in the Bronx. A speeding, unlicensed sedan driver struck him with the right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and leg injuries. The driver misused the lane.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male pedestrian was injured while emerging from behind a parked SUV on East 233 Street in the Bronx. The pedestrian was struck by a westbound sedan driven by an unlicensed male driver. The point of impact was the sedan's right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The driver was unlicensed, and the vehicle was traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. The parked SUV was damaged on its left rear bumper. No helmet or signaling factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4664939 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Two SUVs crashed on Katonah Avenue in the Bronx. Both drivers failed to yield right-of-way. A 47-year-old female driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. The impact hit the left front bumper and side doors. Both vehicles damaged.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Katonah Avenue in the Bronx. The crash involved a 2011 SUV traveling west and a 2023 SUV traveling south. Both drivers failed to yield right-of-way, with one also disregarding traffic control. The 47-year-old female driver of the westbound SUV was injured, sustaining back pain and whiplash. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The collision impacted the left front bumper of the westbound vehicle and the left side doors of the southbound vehicle. No ejections occurred. The report lists driver errors as failure to yield right-of-way and traffic control disregarded. No other factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658661 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05