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 2025-11-05

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 2025-11-05

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 2025-11-05

Jan 9 - A cyclist crashed on Henry Street. No protected bike lanes. The driver sped off. The street stayed the same. Neighbors rallied. The council member listened. The injury was harsh. The system failed. Brooklyn’s gap in bike safety remains wide.

On January 9, 2025, Streetsblog NYC published an essay detailing a crash on Henry Street in Brooklyn. The piece, titled 'A Brush With Danger Made Me Exhibit A in My Fight for Better Bike Lanes in Brooklyn,' describes the lack of protected bike lanes in Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens. The author recounts merging into traffic, being closely followed by a driver, and crashing on a wet, greasy iron grid. The car sped away. Passersby helped. The cyclist suffered a broken collarbone. The essay notes, 'Our area of Brooklyn is a major hole in the borough's protected bike lane network.' Council Member Shahana Hanif attended a community meeting on the issue. The call is clear: Brooklyn’s streets favor cars, not people. The absence of protected lanes leaves cyclists exposed and injured. The system’s neglect is the danger.

• ESSAY: A Brush With Danger Made Me Exhibit A in My Fight for Better Bike Lanes in Brooklyn, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-09

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 6 - Tony Simone pushes a bill to force the MTA to install platform barriers citywide. He cites a near-fatal shove in his district. The plan uses congestion pricing funds. The goal: stop deadly falls and attacks. Riders demand safety. Simone wants action, not talk.

Bill number pending. On January 6, 2025, Council Member Tony Simone announced a legislative push to require the MTA to install platform screen doors and gates system-wide within five years. The bill, still in proposal stage, will move through the relevant council committee. Simone’s proposal comes after a spate of subway violence, including a recent shove onto tracks in his district. The bill summary states: 'My legislation will require the MTA to install platform screen doors and gates system-wide within five years.' Simone urges the use of congestion pricing revenue for these safety upgrades, arguing, 'No priority is higher on any rider's mind, including mine, than safety on the system.' Simone is the primary sponsor. The measure aims to prevent fatal and dangerous falls and shoves, focusing on protecting riders from harm.

• Spate of violence in NYC subways prompts call for more train platform barriers, amny.com, Published 2025-01-06

Jan 6 - Lawmakers face a $33 billion MTA budget gap. The new Manhattan congestion toll hits drivers, but it is not enough. Senate leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins objects to the unfunded plan. More taxes and fees loom. Riders wait. Streets stay dangerous.

On January 6, 2025, the MTA’s $33 billion budget shortfall dominated debate. The matter, titled "MTA eyes new taxes, fees to plug $33B budget hole — even after NYC’s $9 congestion toll!", landed in the spotlight after the new toll failed to close the gap. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, district 35, formally objected to the unfunded capital plan with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. Their joint letter blocked the plan’s January 1 start, forcing negotiations. Governor Hochul, who backs the $68 billion plan, promised no income tax hikes but left other taxes and fees on the table. Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger called for transparency. The MTA’s future—and the safety of those who rely on it—hangs in the balance. No direct safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• MTA eyes new taxes, fees to plug $33B budget hole — even after NYC’s $9 congestion toll!, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-06