The Blood Stays—Until City Hall Moves

Mar 4 - Weigh-in-motion sensors slashed overweight trucks on the BQE by 60%. City officials want Albany to extend the program. Councilmember Restler and DOT Commissioner Rodriguez call for more enforcement. The tech fines violators, cuts danger, and protects crumbling roads.

On March 4, 2025, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) and DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez urged state lawmakers to extend and expand the weigh-in-motion truck enforcement program on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). The program, launched in fall 2023, uses sensors to detect overweight trucks and issue $650 fines. According to the city, 'Weigh-in-Motion technology has successfully eliminated 60% of the overweight truck traffic on the Queens bound BQE.' Restler said he hopes for similar results on the Staten Island-bound lanes. The bill authorizing the program is set to expire, prompting calls for urgent legislative action. Rodriguez called the technology a 'national model.' Lawmakers want to expand the system to other sites, including the Washington Bridge. The crackdown aims to reduce illegal truck loads, which threaten road safety and infrastructure.

• Weigh-in-motion tech has cut overweight trucks on BQE by 60%, city says, urging state to extend program, amny.com, Published 2025-03-04

Feb 28 - Vanderbilt Avenue’s open street shrinks. Organizers slash car-free days to Saturdays only, May through September. City funding falls short. Community leaders call the cuts a blow to safety, commerce, and public space. Cars reclaim ground. Pedestrians and cyclists lose out.

On February 28, 2025, organizers announced another reduction to the Vanderbilt Avenue Open Street program. The change, reported by Streetsblog NYC, limits car-free hours to Saturdays only from May to September—a 50 percent cut from last year’s already reduced schedule. The program, once a weekend staple from spring to fall, now faces its smallest footprint yet. Alex Morano, a volunteer organizer, called the rollback 'really unfortunate,' stressing the street’s value to the neighborhood. Saskia Haegens, Chair of the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Corporation, urged full city funding, saying the program is 'transformative.' Organizers blame insufficient city support, with less than half the cost covered this year. The Department of Transportation claims $10 million in annual support and promises a permanent redesign, but for now, cars win back space. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, families—lose a vital refuge.

• Vanderbilt Ave. Open Street Trims Hours For Second Straight Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-28

Feb 24 - The U.S. DOT erased its Complete Streets page days after Trump took office. The page held decades of safety guides for bike lanes and sidewalks. Its loss leaves local officials stranded. Advocates say the purge makes streets deadlier for those on foot or bike.

On February 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation removed the Complete Streets webpage, a federal resource for safer street design. The action followed President Trump’s inauguration. The page, described as 'not political but focused on safety and access for all road users,' offered technical guides for bike lanes and sidewalks. Its deletion, reported by Streetsblog NYC, is seen as part of a broader purge of diversity and environmental initiatives. Heidi Simon, a leading advocate, said, 'It's disheartening to know that there are people in the trenches at the local and state level who relied on these resources to get their jobs done, and their jobs just got made harder.' The loss scatters vital research, making it harder for cities—especially smaller ones—to build safer streets. No federal official commented on the removal.

• ‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Falls Prey To Trump Purge, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-24

Feb 20 - A 48-year-old man was struck while crossing Broadway with the signal. The cyclist failed to yield, distracted and disregarding traffic control. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg contusions but remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 48-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Broadway and Liberty Street in Manhattan at 12:55. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a cyclist traveling eastbound struck him. The report cites the cyclist's failure to yield and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors, specifically noting 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to the knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian's behavior. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted cyclists disregarding traffic controls in busy Manhattan intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794074 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 20 - Gov. Hochul faces pressure to let New York City charge for residential street parking. The plan targets illegal registrations, raises MTA funds, and could cut traffic. Critics say current rules reward fraud and endanger cyclists. Reform means fewer cars, safer streets.

On February 20, 2025, an editorial published by Streetsblog NYC called for Governor Hochul and state leaders to grant New York City the authority to create citywide, resident-only parking zones. The piece, titled 'Gov. Hochul Could Transform Our City with Parking Reform,' argues, 'With permission from the state, New York City could enact a citywide, resident-only parking system. Non-residents needn’t be banned from parking here, just charged for it, with the money going to the MTA.' The editorial highlights rampant illegal vehicle registrations and the dangers they pose, including uninsured cars and increased risk for cyclists. The proposal urges charging both residents and visitors for parking, with higher rates in dense, wealthy areas. The plan aims to reduce congestion, generate MTA revenue, and reclaim curb space for safer uses. No council member is directly named, as this is an opinion piece, but the call is clear: state action is needed to protect vulnerable road users and restore trust in public space management.

• Gov. Hochul Could Transform Our City with Parking Reform, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-20

Feb 15 - Two taxis collided on West Street. The rear cab struck the lead. A woman in the back seat took the hit. Chest pain. Whiplash. Noon traffic. Driver lost consciousness. No one ejected. Steel and glass failed her.

According to the police report, two taxis crashed on West Street near Chambers Street in Manhattan at 12:05 PM. The rear taxi struck the left rear quarter panel of the lead taxi, which was starting in traffic. A 36-year-old woman riding in the middle rear seat of the rear taxi suffered chest injuries and whiplash. She wore a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as a contributing factor, pointing to a driver error or medical event. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash shows the danger when driver control is lost in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793721 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - MTA’s bus-mounted cameras caught over 400,000 drivers blocking bus stops in five months. Tickets soared. Bus speeds rose. Crashes fell. Cameras now outpace NYPD enforcement. Repeat offenders dodge deterrence. Advocates push for tougher penalties. Streets clear, but danger lingers.

On February 13, 2025, the MTA reported results from its Automated Camera Enforcement (ACE) expansion, which began in August 2024. The program, described as 'bus-mounted camera tickets to drivers who double-park along bus routes or park in bus stops,' has issued over 400,000 tickets in five months. The ACE system grew from 623 buses on 14 routes to 1,000 buses on 34 routes by November. MTA spokesperson Laura Cala-Rauch said the program 'is having a big impact on speeding buses and improving the quality of life for New Yorkers.' Data from Jehiah Czebotar shows cameras now issue 76.4% of bus lane and stop tickets—93% by December. Bus speeds rose 5%, crashes involving buses dropped 20%, and emissions fell up to 10%. Persistent violators remain, with some drivers racking up five tickets. Riders Alliance’s Danny Pearlstein called for escalating fines and legislative changes to target repeat offenders. The ACE program marks a shift toward automated, consistent enforcement, but loopholes for chronic blockers persist.

• ACE In The Hole: MTA’s Bus-Mounted Cameras Nab Over 400K Bus Stop Blockers, Streetsblog NYC, 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 12 - A box truck and sedan collided head-on on West Street in Manhattan. The truck driver suffered a head injury and concussion. Police cited obstructed view and other vehicular factors as causes. Both vehicles sustained left front bumper damage.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on West Street in Manhattan involving a box truck and a sedan, both traveling north and going straight ahead. The box truck's left front bumper struck the sedan's left front bumper, causing damage to both vehicles. The truck driver, a 42-year-old male occupant, was injured with a head injury and concussion but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists contributing factors as 'Other Vehicular' and 'View Obstructed/Limited,' indicating driver error related to limited visibility and other vehicle-related causes. The truck driver was wearing a lap belt and harness, and the airbag deployed. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash highlights the dangers posed by obstructed views and complex vehicular interactions in Manhattan traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793722 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 12 - Council Member Carmen De La Rosa’s bill, Intro 1050, would gut injury insurance for taxi and app drivers. Victims of traffic violence would face crushing medical bills. Survivors, like Lauren Pine, say $50,000 coverage vanishes in days. Council hears pleas to reject the cut.

Intro 1050, introduced by Council Member Carmen De La Rosa (D-Inwood), is under City Council review. The bill would cut the required minimum personal injury protection insurance for yellow cabs, liveries, and app-based drivers from $200,000 to $50,000. At a recent hearing, Lauren Pine, a nurse and crash survivor, testified: 'The minimum $50,000 no fault insurance was exhausted within the first week or so of my hospitalization.' Pine urged the Council to oppose the bill, warning that victims of traffic violence would be left financially devastated. Transportation Alternatives’ Ben Furnas also opposed the bill, stating, 'This legislation will ultimately make it more expensive and difficult to access care, treatment, and support after a traffic crash.' The bill is generating support among some council members, but advocates and survivors demand the Council maintain current coverage to protect crash victims.

• Opinion: Weakening Injury Insurance Coverage for Cabbies Will Harm Victims of Road Violence, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-12

Feb 7 - Bus speeds crawl. Promised bus lanes never come. Mayor Adams broke his pledge. The city built just 9.6 miles in two years. Riders wait. DOT blames funding. Council law ignored. Streets stay deadly. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

This report, released February 7, 2025, by the Independent Budget Office, exposes the city’s failure to meet the Streets Master Plan law (passed in 2019) mandating 150 miles of new bus lanes. The IBO states: 'It will be virtually impossible for the city to meet the City Council's required 150 miles of new bus lanes at the pace Mayor Adams is going.' Mayor Adams, who took office in 2022, has slowed or killed key bus projects, including the Fordham Road busway. DOT spokesperson Mona Bruno claims the agency is building protected lanes and using cameras for enforcement, but admits resources are tight. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams has called for compliance but not funded it. Riders Alliance spokesman Danny Pearlstein blames hiring freezes and political interference for 'broken promises and neglected legislation.' The report shows that while DOT’s budget grew, staffing for bus lane expansion fell. Bus speeds remain stuck at 8.1 mph. The city’s inaction leaves millions of bus riders—often the city’s most vulnerable—stranded and exposed.

• Report: Efforts to Speed Up Bus Speeds Have Stalled … Like Bus Speeds, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-07

Feb 6 - A 90-year-old woman died on York Avenue. A cab made a U-turn and struck her. Another car hit her moments later. She was rushed to the hospital. Both drivers stayed. She did not survive.

According to the New York Post (published February 6, 2025), Frances Rickard, 90, was crossing York Avenue at East 72nd Street around 5:40 p.m. when a yellow taxi, driven by a 68-year-old man, made a U-turn and struck her. Police said, “Moments later, a 35-year-old woman driving a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer also struck her.” Rickard was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she died. Both drivers remained at the scene and have not been charged. The sequence highlights the dangers of U-turns and multi-lane crossings for pedestrians. The intersection saw two vehicles collide with a vulnerable road user in quick succession, underscoring persistent risks in city street design and driver behavior.

• Elderly Pedestrian Killed Crossing York Avenue, New York Post, Published 2025-02-06

Feb 4 - A Tesla hit a guardrail on the FDR. The car flipped, burned. The driver died at the scene. Her passenger survived but was badly hurt. Debris scattered. Police closed lanes for hours. The cause is still under investigation.

According to the New York Post (2025-02-04), a Tesla crashed on Manhattan's FDR Drive near 70th Street early Tuesday. The car struck a guardrail, flipped, and caught fire. Both occupants were ejected. The article states, 'A female driver was killed and her passenger seriously injured after they were tossed from a Tesla that flipped and then burst into flames.' The driver died at the scene; the passenger was hospitalized in stable condition. Photos showed 'large pieces of the vehicle scattered across the road.' Police have not determined if speed was a factor and continue to investigate. The crash closed all northbound lanes for several miles as fire crews responded. The incident highlights the violent consequences of high-speed impacts and the dangers posed by vehicle ejection and fire.

• Tesla Crash Ejects Two On FDR Drive, New York Post, Published 2025-02-04

Jan 27 - Council watered down the City of Yes plan. Parking mandates remain in many areas. Housing stays costly. Streets stay carved for cars. Vulnerable road users get no relief. The fight over parking and safety continues. No victory for people on foot or bike.

This opinion piece, published January 27, 2025, criticizes the City Council's compromise on the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity (COYHO) zoning amendments. The Council, after pressure from housing opponents, reinstated parking requirements in many transit-served neighborhoods, despite the City Planning Commission's push to eliminate them citywide. The matter, as described, states: 'Anyone not supporting the elimination of parking mandates is only perpetuating our city's housing crisis.' Planning expert Eric Kober, the author, argues the Council's move blocks housing growth and contradicts city policies to reduce car use. Council members' actions—passing a diluted version of COYHO—leave vulnerable road users exposed. The compromise preserves car dominance, keeps streets dangerous, and stalls progress for safer, people-first neighborhoods.

• OPINION: Candidates Must Pledge to Strengthen ‘City of Yes’ to End Parking Mandates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-27

Jan 27 - A boy walked a rural Georgia highway. He made it home safe. Police arrested his mother. The road lacked sidewalks. Drivers sped by. The system blamed the parent, not the dangerous street. Advocates call for safer roads, not more punishment.

On January 27, 2025, media reported the arrest of Brittany Patterson after her 10-year-old son walked alone along Mineral Bluff Highway, Georgia. The case is not a council bill, but a flashpoint in the debate over child independence and pedestrian safety. Prosecutor Emma Harper said the arrest was due to the boy walking on 'a busy highway with no sidewalk.' The matter highlights how parents, not road designers or drivers, face consequences when children navigate unsafe streets. Advocates, including Lenore Skenazy and attorney David DeLugas, condemned the criminalization of parents and called for accountability in road design. Streets like Mineral Bluff Highway, with high speeds and no sidewalks, endanger all pedestrians. The story underscores a systemic failure: dangerous roads persist, while parents and children bear the risk and blame.

• A Child Went For a Walk on a Rural Highway Alone. His Mom Got Arrested For It., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-27

Jan 24 - A sport utility vehicle struck a sedan from behind on the Brooklyn Bridge. Three occupants in the sedan suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash was caused by the SUV driver following too closely, resulting in rear-end impact damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:15 on the Brooklyn Bridge involving a 2020 Toyota SUV and a 2025 Volkswagen sedan, both traveling eastbound. The SUV struck the sedan at the center back end, causing damage to both vehicles. The report cites "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to maintain a safe distance. The sedan carried three occupants—a 28-year-old male driver and two passengers aged 39 and 22—each wearing lap belts and harnesses. All three sustained neck injuries and complained of whiplash, with injury severity rated at level 3. None were ejected and all remained conscious. The police report does not list any contributing factors related to the victims. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as tailgating on busy city bridges.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788213 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 19 - A northbound SUV and a southbound sedan collided head-on on FDR Drive. The crash injured a 23-year-old male passenger in the SUV, who suffered a contusion to his elbow and lower arm. Driver distraction was cited as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:04 on FDR Drive involving a 2008 Chevrolet SUV traveling north and a 2018 Honda sedan making a right turn southbound. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the collision. A 23-year-old male occupant in the SUV, seated in the right rear passenger position and restrained by a lap belt, sustained a contusion and bruising to his elbow and lower arm. He was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. The collision caused center front end damage to both vehicles. No pedestrian or cyclist involvement was reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787019 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 10 - Assemblyman Ed Ra slammed Governor Hochul for touting train travel while relying on an SUV for her own trip. Critics say her actions undermine public trust and highlight the gap between officials and regular commuters. The controversy exposes hypocrisy, not safety reform.

""The average working class commuter doesn’t have the luxury of traveling with six state troopers and until confidence is restored in the safety of train, subway and bus travel, the number of riders will continue to fall."" -- Charles Fall

On January 10, 2025, Assemblyman Ed Ra (District 19) publicly criticized Governor Kathy Hochul’s transportation choices. The incident, covered by nypost.com, centers on Hochul’s photo-op promoting Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) use, while her security detail drove an SUV to pick her up at Syosset station. Ra stated, “here she is responsible for BOTH a car trip and a train ride to get to the same place.” The matter, though not a formal bill, highlights political opposition to congestion pricing and official transit promotion. Ra’s comments, echoed by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, stress the disconnect between officials’ privileges and the daily reality for vulnerable road users. No direct safety impact was assessed.

• Hochul poses for LIRR photo-op while dispatching her security detail to pick her up from station, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-10

Jan 10 - A federal judge shut down New Jersey’s bid to block Manhattan’s congestion pricing. New York offered concessions. New Jersey wanted more. Talks failed. The toll plan moves forward. Political posturing left transit riders and city streets in the crossfire.

On January 10, 2025, a federal judge ruled against New Jersey’s attempt to halt New York’s congestion pricing plan. The matter, covered under the headline 'Did New Jersey fumble congestion pricing negotiations?', details failed settlement talks. Judge Leo Gordon tried to broker a deal. New York offered expanded crossing credits and transit funding. New Jersey, led by Governor Phil Murphy, demanded more. Murphy insisted New Jersey was reasonable, denying New York’s claims of generous offers. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop criticized Murphy’s approach, arguing New Jersey should have bargained for transit benefits instead of fighting the tolls outright. Council Member Vickie Paladino (District 19) was mentioned in coverage. The outcome: congestion pricing advances, with no new protections or funding for vulnerable road users in New Jersey or New York.

• Did New Jersey fumble congestion pricing negotiations?, gothamist.com, Published 2025-01-10

Jan 9 - SUV hit a 64-year-old woman walking with traffic on John Street. Right front bumper struck her knee and leg. She suffered bruises. Driver followed too closely. Manhattan street, midday, danger clear.

According to the police report, a 64-year-old woman was walking along John Street near William Street in Manhattan when an SUV traveling east struck her with its right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the primary contributing factor, citing the driver's failure to maintain distance. The vehicle, a 2023 Toyota SUV, was damaged on the right front bumper. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785531 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19