Van Cortlandt Park: Blood on the Asphalt, Silence in City Hall

Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Two SUVs collided on the Major Deegan Expressway. Both drivers suffered neck injuries with whiplash. The crash involved rear-end impact caused by driver distraction and following too closely. Both drivers were conscious and restrained by lap belts.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Major Deegan Expressway at 11:10. Two SUVs traveling south collided when the rear vehicle struck the center back end of the front vehicle. The driver of the rear SUV, a 46-year-old female, was cited for driver inattention/distraction and following too closely. Both drivers, a 33-year-old male and the 46-year-old female, were injured with neck injuries described as whiplash. Both were conscious and wearing lap belts at the time of the crash. Vehicle damage included the right rear bumper of the rear SUV and the center front end of the front SUV. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction and tailgating on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717456 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

A northbound SUV slammed into the rear of a parked SUV on the Major Deegan Expressway. The driver of the parked vehicle suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention as the cause of the crash late at night.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:43 p.m. on the Major Deegan Expressway. A northbound Mercedes SUV, driven by a licensed female driver from New York, collided with the center back end of a parked Jaguar SUV. The Jaguar's male driver, age 35, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, indicating the moving vehicle's driver failed to maintain attention. The impact demolished the front end of the Mercedes and damaged the rear of the Jaguar. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716699 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A female SUV driver suffered a neck injury and shock after a crash on the Major Deegan Expressway. The impact struck the vehicle’s left front bumper. Police cited 'Other Vehicular' factors contributing to the collision, highlighting driver-related errors.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old female driver was injured in a crash on the Major Deegan Expressway at 3:30 AM. The vehicle, a 2019 Jeep SUV traveling southbound, was struck on the left front bumper. The driver sustained a neck injury described as whiplash and was in shock. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as a primary contributing factor and notes an unspecified secondary factor, indicating driver error or vehicle-related issues played a role. The driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. There is no mention of pedestrian or cyclist involvement or victim fault. The crash caused damage to the vehicle’s left front bumper, underscoring the impact location and severity.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714953 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two female bicyclists collided head-on on Broadway in the Bronx. Both were ejected and suffered upper arm and elbow injuries. Both wore helmets but were left in shock, complaining of pain and nausea after impact at midday.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Broadway near West 242 Street in the Bronx at 12:29 PM. Two female bicyclists, ages 19 and 21, collided while both traveling southbound. Both riders were ejected from their bikes and sustained injuries: one suffered elbow, lower arm, and hand injuries; the other sustained shoulder and upper arm injuries. Both were wearing helmets and reported complaints of pain or nausea, and were in shock. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors, indicating a collision between two bicyclists without external vehicle involvement. Both bicyclists were drivers of their respective bikes, traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The collision caused damage to the left front bumpers of both bikes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714339 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 2024-03-27

Red-light running kills. Twenty-nine dead last year. Highest ever. Reckless drivers surge post-pandemic. City report demands more cameras—jump from 150 to 1,325 intersections. Officials back the bill. Victims’ families demand action. Cameras cut crashes. But the most dangerous drivers remain loose.

On March 20, 2024, the Department of Transportation released a report urging passage of a bill to expand New York City’s red-light camera program. The bill, supported by DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and sponsored by State Senator Andrew Goundardes, would boost camera coverage from 150 to 1,325 intersections—about 10% of the city’s 13,700 signals. The report states: “Expanding the number of intersections with red light cameras... could substantially enhance the deterrent effect of the program and return New York City to the consistently downward trend of red light-running behavior we had seen prior to the pandemic.” Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz also supports expansion, calling for cameras at every intersection. The DOT notes that cameras have slashed T-bone crashes by 65% and rear-end collisions by 49% at monitored sites, but the statutory cap blocks broader safety gains. Relatives of crash victims joined the call, demanding the city confront driver negligence and protect the community.

• DOT Report: Rise in Red Light Running Shows Need for More Cameras, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-20

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 2024-03-20

A northbound SUV struck the rear center of a sedan on the Major Deegan Expressway. The sedan’s 23-year-old male driver suffered head injuries and bruising. Tire failure and unsafe speed contributed to the crash, according to the police report.

According to the police report, at 5:40 a.m., a northbound SUV collided with the center back end of a northbound sedan on the Major Deegan Expressway. The sedan’s 23-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained head injuries and contusions but was conscious and not ejected. The report cites tire failure and unsafe speed as contributing factors to the crash. The SUV impacted the sedan with its right front bumper, causing damage to both vehicles. The driver of the sedan was the only occupant injured. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision highlights vehicle maintenance issues and driver speed as critical factors in this serious crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709644 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council wants every e-bike and scooter tagged and tracked. Plates on wheels. Riders face new rules. Lawmakers say it’s about order. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait.

Int 0606-2024 was introduced on March 7, 2024, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring that every bicycle with electric assist, electric scooter and other legal motorized vehicle be licensed and registered," would force all e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles not covered by DMV rules to register with DOT and display visible plates. Council Member Inna Vernikov is the primary sponsor, joined by 26 co-sponsors including Holden, Farías, Riley, and others. The bill was laid over in committee and has not advanced. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• File Int 0606-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Council Members Marte and Dinowitz push for covered bike parking in parks and city buildings. The bill demands weather-proof shelters and storage, aiming to meet the city’s cycling surge. Lawmakers want fewer cars, more bikes, and safer streets for all.

On February 29, 2024, Council Member Chris Marte introduced a bill in the New York City Council requiring covered bike parking in parks and city-owned buildings. The bill, co-sponsored by Council Member Eric Dinowitz, is under committee review. The legislation states, 'the city would have to install between one and five weather-proof enclosures with six to eight spaces apiece, depending on the size of the park.' Parks over 2.5 acres must have at least one shelter; parks over 250 acres need five. City buildings over 10,000 square feet, including public schools, must provide bike storage for workers and visitors. Marte said, 'If we want to get off the reliance of people commuting by car, we have to offer them alternative ways to get there.' The Parks Department and city agencies must report on implementation or explain impracticality. This bill targets safer, more accessible bike infrastructure for New Yorkers.

• Pols Want Covered Bike Parking at Parks, City Buildings, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-02-29

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 sedan traveling north on Henry Hudson Parkway lost control on slippery pavement. The driver, a 57-year-old man, suffered a head contusion and bruising. The vehicle struck an object with its right front bumper. The driver was conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, a 57-year-old male driver was operating a 2011 Toyota sedan northbound on Henry Hudson Parkway at 7:00 AM when the pavement was slippery. The vehicle's right front bumper struck an object, causing damage to that area. The driver was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. He sustained a head contusion and bruising but remained conscious. The report cites 'Pavement Slippery' as a contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by road conditions affecting vehicle control, with no fault attributed to the driver’s licensing or pre-crash behavior aside from the environmental hazard.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700524 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A sedan lost control on Henry Hudson Parkway. Slippery pavement sent the car into a crash. The driver, a 42-year-old man, suffered neck injury and concussion. No others hurt. Front end smashed. Road conditions proved deadly.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old man driving a 2022 Honda sedan north on Henry Hudson Parkway crashed at 8:45 AM. The car's center front end was damaged. The driver suffered a neck injury and reported a concussion. The report lists 'Pavement Slippery' as the sole contributing factor. No other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists were involved. The driver was conscious, not ejected, and wore a lap belt. This crash underscores the danger slippery pavement poses to all road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695329 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Pickup truck struck sedan’s right side on Major Deegan Expressway. Two sedan occupants injured—concussion, burns. Driver inexperience, improper lane use, and distraction fueled the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan and a pickup truck collided on the Major Deegan Expressway in the Bronx. The pickup’s left front bumper hit the sedan’s right side doors. Two people in the sedan were hurt: a 29-year-old male driver suffered a concussion and full-body injuries, and a 32-year-old female passenger sustained head injuries and moderate burns. Both were conscious and restrained. The report lists driver inexperience, improper passing or lane usage, and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. No victim errors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4686314 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A northbound SUV struck slippery pavement on the Major Deegan Expressway. The vehicle’s right front bumper took impact. A 38-year-old male passenger suffered a head contusion. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, a 2001 Acura SUV traveling north on the Major Deegan Expressway encountered slippery pavement, which contributed to the crash. The vehicle impacted with its right front bumper. A 38-year-old male passenger seated in the middle front seat was injured, sustaining a head contusion. He was conscious and properly restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Pavement Slippery' as a contributing factor. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. The passenger was not ejected from the vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4654272 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Nissan SUV hit left side doors on Major Deegan. Three inside hurt: driver and two passengers. Whiplash and bruises. All conscious. No driver errors listed. Metal and bodies took the blow.

According to the police report, a 2013 Nissan SUV traveling north on the Major Deegan Expressway struck the left side doors of another vehicle. Three people inside the SUV were injured: a 62-year-old male driver, a 36-year-old female front passenger, and a 63-year-old male rear passenger. All were conscious and wore lap belts and harnesses. The driver and rear passenger suffered whiplash; the front passenger had a bruised hip and upper leg. The SUV's left front quarter panel took the impact. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. No helmet or signaling issues were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647339 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04