Steel Wins, Kids Lose—Lower the Limit Now

A BMW SUV hit a 63-year-old man at East 231st Street and White Plains Road. He fell hard. Blood pooled from his head. The SUV’s front crumpled. Two people sat inside. The street stood silent. The man lay motionless.

A BMW SUV traveling north on White Plains Road struck a 63-year-old pedestrian at the intersection with East 231st Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, the man suffered a severe head injury and was found unconscious and bleeding. The impact crushed the SUV’s right front quarter panel. Two people were inside the vehicle. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were detailed in the data. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian that contributed to the crash. The street was left silent as the man lay motionless, blood pooling from his head.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658523 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Speed cameras now run all day, every day. Violations dropped 30 percent in one year. Streets once deadly saw sharp falls in speeding and injuries. Cameras outpaced cops, issuing millions of tickets. Still, cyclist injuries climb. The fight for safer streets continues.

This report details the outcome of New York City's 24/7 speed camera enforcement, launched August 1, 2022. The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a 30 percent drop in violations on enforced corridors. The matter summary states, 'Success: Drivers are Slowing Down on Streets with 24/7 Speed Cameras.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez called the expanded enforcement 'a highly effective tool to keep New Yorkers safe.' Key corridors saw dramatic reductions: 96 percent on Houston Street, 74 percent on North Conduit Boulevard, 68 percent on Bruckner Boulevard. Injuries fell at high-crash sites—45 percent on Tremont Avenue, 33 percent on Kings Highway, 16 percent on Queens Boulevard, 19 percent on Hylan Boulevard. Automated cameras issued over 3.7 million tickets, dwarfing police efforts. Despite progress, cyclist injuries are on pace for a record high, and advocates now push for city control over speed limits.

• Success: Drivers are Slowing Down on Streets with 24/7 Speed Cameras, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-28

Speed cameras now run all day in New York. Violations dropped 30 percent in a year. Streets once deadly see fewer crashes. But injuries still rise for cyclists. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie stands against city control of speed limits. The fight continues.

This policy outcome report, published August 28, 2023, covers the first year of 24/7 speed camera enforcement in New York City. The Department of Transportation reports a 30 percent drop in violations since cameras began operating around the clock on August 1, 2022. The report states, 'Success: Drivers are Slowing Down on Streets with 24/7 Speed Cameras.' Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie is mentioned for opposing city control over speed limits, a move sought by Families for Safe Streets after continued traffic deaths and injuries. Key corridors saw sharp drops in speeding and injuries, but cyclist injuries remain high. The expanded camera program replaced limited weekday enforcement, shifting the burden from NYPD to automated systems. The data shows cameras work, but the fight for safer streets—especially for cyclists—remains unfinished.

• Success: Drivers are Slowing Down on Streets with 24/7 Speed Cameras, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-08-28

A 69-year-old male driver suffered full-body injuries in a Bronx crash. Two vehicles struck front-left bumpers. The SUV driver was distracted outside the car and turned improperly. The injured driver wore a lap belt and harness and was not ejected.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Nereid Avenue in the Bronx involving a 2017 SUV and a 2007 sedan. The 69-year-old male driver of the sedan was injured with full-body trauma and experienced shock. The report lists driver errors as 'Outside Car Distraction' and 'Turning Improperly' contributing to the crash. The point of impact was the left front bumper on both vehicles, causing center front-end damage. The injured driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved in this incident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4657367 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 25-year-old woman was hit by a sedan traveling north on East 231 Street in the Bronx. The driver was speeding. The pedestrian suffered a shoulder and upper arm contusion. The crash happened outside an intersection. The vehicle showed no damage.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on East 231 Street in the Bronx struck a 25-year-old female pedestrian who was in the roadway but not at an intersection. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and bruising to her shoulder and upper arm. The report lists "Unsafe Speed" as a contributing factor for the driver. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian on the right front quarter panel. No damage was noted on the vehicle. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but not ejected. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian. The driver’s speeding was the primary error leading to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4654599 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A sedan made an improper left turn and struck an SUV going straight west on East 233 Street in the Bronx. Both drivers were injured, suffering neck and head trauma. The front passenger in the SUV was also hurt. Both wore seat belts.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on East 233 Street made an improper left turn and collided with a westbound SUV. The impact occurred at the left front bumper of the SUV and the center front end of the sedan. The sedan driver and the SUV front passenger were injured, with head and neck injuries reported. Both occupants were wearing lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The contributing factor listed was "Turning Improperly," indicating driver error by the sedan operator. No other contributing factors were specified. The crash caused shock and injuries to both vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4654025 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

An e-bike rider crashed on White Plains Road. The bike hit the center back end of another vehicle. The 35-year-old man suffered head injuries but remained conscious. Unsafe speed was a factor. The rider wore a helmet. The crash left the bike damaged.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old male e-bike driver traveling north on White Plains Road collided with the center back end of another vehicle going straight ahead. The rider sustained head injuries and was conscious at the scene. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. The e-bike rider was wearing a helmet at the time. The collision caused damage to the center back end of the e-bike. No other driver errors were specified in the report. The crash resulted in internal complaints and injury severity level 3 for the rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4650629 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 24-year-old male bicyclist was ejected after a collision on White Plains Road in the Bronx. The bike struck another vehicle head-on. The rider suffered facial abrasions but remained conscious. Driver inattention and failure to yield caused the crash.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male bicyclist was injured and ejected during a collision on White Plains Road in the Bronx. The crash involved a bike traveling north and an unspecified vehicle traveling west, both going straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist suffered facial abrasions and was conscious after the crash. The report lists driver inattention/distraction and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. No safety equipment details were provided. The crash highlights critical driver errors that led to the bicyclist's ejection and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4650912 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

MTA will drop fares on five city bus lines for up to a year. Riders on Bx18, B60, M116, Q4, and S46/96 ride free. The move aims to boost access and equity. Lawmakers and advocates pushed for more. The pilot starts September 24.

"This pilot program will help thousands of New Yorkers who rely on buses to get to work, to school, to get to medical appoints and more. It was a priority for many of my Assembly Majority colleagues, and we look forward to seeing how it impacts our communities." -- Carl Heastie

On July 17, 2023, the MTA announced a fare-free bus pilot covering five routes: Bx18 (Bronx), B60 (Brooklyn), M116 (Manhattan), Q4 (Queens), and S46/96 (Staten Island). The program, part of the state budget, begins September 24 and will last six to twelve months. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, representing District 83, highlighted the benefit to thousands who rely on buses for work, school, and medical needs. The pilot waives fares to expand access and improve transit equity, as stated: 'By establishing these fare-free bus pilot routes, we are expanding access to public transportation across the city and improving transit equity to better serve all New Yorkers.' Advocates wanted all buses free, but the plan was scaled back in budget talks. The MTA will review impacts on ridership, service, and costs after six months.

• MTA announces five bus routes for fare-free pilot, amny.com, Published 2023-07-17

Two sedans crashed on Barnes Avenue in the Bronx. Both drivers suffered neck injuries with whiplash. Unsafe speed and driver distraction caused the collision. Vehicles struck front and side, leaving damage to left front bumpers and quarter panels.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Barnes Avenue in the Bronx. The male driver of a 2014 Infiniti sedan traveling north and the female driver of a 2015 Cadillac sedan traveling west both sustained neck injuries described as whiplash. The report lists unsafe speed and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors for the collision. The Infiniti struck the Cadillac on its left side doors with its center front end, damaging the left front bumper and quarter panel of the vehicles. Both drivers were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The female driver was licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4645624 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

An SUV made a U-turn on White Plains Road in the Bronx. It struck an e-scooter traveling south. The e-scooter driver, a 55-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention as a factor.

According to the police report, a 2019 Chevrolet SUV was making a U-turn on White Plains Road in the Bronx when it collided with an e-scooter traveling south. The e-scooter driver, a 55-year-old man, was injured with contusions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The SUV struck the e-scooter on its left front bumper, impacting the scooter's left side doors. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for the crash. The e-scooter driver was not ejected and was conscious at the scene. No other contributing factors or safety equipment issues were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4645944 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 59-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck at East 242 Street and White Plains Road. The driver made an improper left turn and failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was left in shock.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured when a vehicle making a left turn at East 242 Street and White Plains Road in the Bronx struck her. The 59-year-old woman was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The report lists driver errors as 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly.' The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in shock. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian with its left front bumper. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4645102 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie refused to bring Sammy's Law to a vote. The bill would let New York City lower speed limits. Advocates fasted. Lawmakers argued. The Senate passed it. The Assembly did not. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain at risk.

Sammy's Law, a bill to grant New York City 'home rule' over its speed limits, failed in the Assembly on June 29, 2023. The Senate passed it, but Speaker Carl Heastie did not bring it to a vote in the Assembly, despite 60 co-sponsors and strong support from city lawmakers, Governor Hochul, and Mayor Adams. The bill, named for 12-year-old Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a speeding driver, would have allowed the city to lower most speed limits from 25 to 20 mph. Heastie cited concerns over e-bikes and speed bumps, saying, 'I'm not a dictator.' Advocates, including Sammy's mother Amy Cohen, condemned the move as 'Albany backroom politics at its worst.' The Department of Transportation called the bill vital for targeted street safety. Vulnerable road users remain exposed as the Assembly stalls action.

• 'I'm not a dictator': Assembly speaker reveals why NYC speed limit bill failed, gothamist.com, Published 2023-06-29

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie refused to let lawmakers vote on Sammy’s Law. He dodged questions, blamed the city DOT, and ignored calls for lower speed limits. Neighbors and activists demanded action. Children remain at risk. The bill never reached the floor.

On June 23, 2023, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie blocked a vote on Sammy’s Law, a bill that would let New York City set its own speed limits. The bill, named for Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a reckless driver in 2013, had majority support but stalled in the Assembly. Heastie’s office declined interviews and blamed the city Department of Transportation, claiming some members wanted more collaboration. The official statement read, 'Every community is different, and some members have significant concerns with moving forward with Sammy's Law at this time.' DOT countered that the law would give the city tools to protect lives. Neighbors and activists criticized Heastie’s inaction, warning that lives remain at risk while the city is denied the power to lower deadly speed limits.

• Heastie Retreat: Assembly Speaker Blows Off Reporter Seeking Comment on ‘Sammy’s Law’ — Then Blames DOT, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-23

Albany keeps the keys. The Assembly refused to vote on Sammy’s Law. The city stays locked out of lowering its own speed limits. Advocates rage. Another year, another failure. Streets remain fast. Vulnerable New Yorkers stay exposed.

Sammy’s Law, blocked again. The bill—named for Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a van at age 12—would let New York City set its own speed limits, dropping the default to 20 mph and some streets to 10 mph. The Senate passed it 55-7, but the Assembly ended its June 22, 2023 session without a vote. Assembly sponsor Linda Rosenthal said, 'We just can't be deterred.' Senate sponsor Brad Hoylman-Sigal called the failure 'heartbreaking.' Speaker Carl Heastie refused to bring it to the floor. Advocates say the city’s hands are tied while deaths and injuries mount. The Council and Mayor Adams support the bill. For the third year, Albany blocks local control. Streets stay dangerous. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

• Sammy’s Law advocates angry after push to give NYC power over its speed limit fails in Assembly, nydailynews.com, Published 2023-06-22

Albany killed Sammy’s Law. Speaker Carl Heastie refused a vote. Advocates starved outside. The Senate passed it. The Assembly did nothing. Streets stay fast. Pedestrians and cyclists stay exposed. Politics won. Vulnerable New Yorkers lost.

Sammy’s Law, a bill to let New York City set its own speed limits, died in the Assembly on June 22, 2023. The Senate passed it 55–7. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, District 83, ended the session without a floor vote. The bill’s summary: 'allowing New York City to set its speed limits.' Amy Cohen, mother of a crash victim, led a hunger strike. She called the process 'Albany backroom politics at its worst.' Heastie told her, 'I am only one vote.' Despite broad support, Heastie’s inaction blocked the bill. No change. Streets remain deadly for those outside a car.

• Mother of crash victim on failure of NYC speed limit bill: 'Albany backroom politics at its worst', gothamist.com, Published 2023-06-22

The Assembly stalls. The Senate moved. New York City waits. Carl Heastie once backed lower speed limits. Now, his chamber blocks the bill. Streets stay deadly. Pedestrians and cyclists pay the price. The call is clear: let the city slow cars. Save lives.

On June 20, 2023, an editorial called on the New York State Assembly to pass legislation allowing New York City to lower its speed limit—a measure known as Sammy’s Law. The bill, referenced in the editorial as 'allowing the five boroughs to reduce the speed limit,' has already passed the Senate but remains stalled in the Assembly. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (District 83, Bronx) is mentioned as an early sponsor of bills to lower the city’s speed limit to 25 mph and expand red light cameras. Despite his past support, the Assembly has not brought the bill to a vote. The editorial urges Heastie and the Assembly to match the Senate’s action. No formal safety analyst note is present, but the editorial centers the deadly impact of inaction on vulnerable road users, citing the story of Sammy Eckstein, killed by a driver. The message: delay costs lives.

• The state Assembly must match the Senate and let NYC lower its speed limit, nydailynews.com, Published 2023-06-20

Sammy’s Law hit a wall in Albany. The bill would let New York City set its own speed limits. It passed the Senate but died in the Assembly. Advocates and families mourn another delay. Streets stay fast. Vulnerable lives remain at risk.

Sammy’s Law, a bill to let New York City set and lower its speed limits, stalled in the Assembly on June 19, 2023. The bill passed the state Senate but did not reach a vote in the Assembly, blocked by Speaker Carl Heastie and opposition from outerborough members. The City Council, including Councilwoman Jennifer Gutiérrez, supported the measure with a home rule message. The bill’s summary: 'allow New York City to set speed limits as low as 10 mph on some streets and 20 mph citywide.' Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal sponsored the bill in the Assembly. Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams both backed it. State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal called it 'common sense.' Advocates, including Amy Cohen, mother of the bill’s namesake, vow to keep fighting. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill’s failure leaves city streets unchanged and vulnerable road users exposed.

• Sammy’s Law bill to let NYC set speed limit falters, supporters hoping special Assembly session will finally push it through, nydailynews.com, Published 2023-06-19

The Assembly returned to Albany. Lawmakers eyed unfinished business. Sammy’s Law, which would let New York City lower speed limits to 20 mph, met pushback. Outer boroughs resisted. Families called for action. Speaker Heastie held the gavel. Streets stayed dangerous.

On June 19, 2023, the New York State Assembly reconvened in Albany to address unfinished legislative business. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (District 83) led the session. The agenda included several items, among them 'Sammy’s Law,' a proposal to allow New York City to set 20 mph speed limits on some streets. The matter summary notes: 'A backlash to traffic safety initiatives—particularly in the outer boroughs—is also driving resistance against the proposed 'Sammy’s Law' to allow for a 20 m.p.h. speed limit on some New York City streets.' Amy Cohen, whose son was killed in a crash, urged lawmakers to act, asking, 'How many more families are going to have to suffer before the Assembly takes this preventable crisis seriously?' Despite claims of enough votes, resistance remained strong. Heastie did not bring the bill to a floor vote. No direct safety analyst assessment was provided.

• NY Assembly returning to Albany to deal with unfinished business including Seneca Nation gaming issue, nypost.com, Published 2023-06-19

Sammy’s Law, which lets New York City set its own speed limits, sits idle. Speaker Carl Heastie refuses to bring it to a vote. The Senate passed it. The governor, mayor, and council back it. Families mourn. Lawmakers dodge responsibility. Streets stay deadly.

Sammy’s Law, Assembly Bill to grant New York City control over its speed limits, remains stalled. On June 16, 2023, Speaker Carl Heastie kept it off the legislative agenda, despite Senate passage and support from Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, and the City Council. The bill’s matter summary: 'the years-long effort to earn New York City the power to set its own speed limits.' Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal sponsors the bill, but Heastie’s inaction blocks a vote. Activists, including Families for Safe Streets, protested with a die-in at Heastie’s office. Gary Eckstein, father of Sammy Cohen Eckstein, spoke of the pain caused by legislative failure. The legislature’s refusal to act leaves vulnerable road users exposed, as lawmakers avoid accountability and delay a measure with broad support.

• Cycle of Rage Update: Speaker Heastie Has Not Put Speed Limit Bill on Next Week’s Agenda, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-16