Blood on the Asphalt: NYC Streets Still Killing

A moped driver was injured in a collision with a Jeep making a left turn on 9 Avenue near West 16 Street. The moped struck the Jeep’s left front bumper. The rider suffered shoulder and upper arm contusions but remained conscious and helmeted.

According to the police report, a Jeep was making a left turn on 9 Avenue when it collided with a southbound moped going straight ahead. The moped struck the Jeep’s left front bumper, impacting the right rear quarter panel of the moped. The moped driver, a 29-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained contusions and bruises to his shoulder and upper arm but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as contributing factors. No damage was reported to the Jeep, which had no occupants. The moped sustained damage to its right rear quarter panel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4603112 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24

A 51-year-old man was struck by a sedan making a right turn on 10 Avenue. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. He suffered a concussion and injuries to his entire body. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on 10 Avenue made a right turn and struck a 51-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection near West 34 Street. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his entire body, including a concussion, and remained conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor by the driver. The vehicle showed no damage upon impact. The pedestrian was not cited for any contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating a 2022 sedan. This crash highlights a failure by the driver to yield to a lawful pedestrian crossing.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4599695 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A 21-year-old woman was hit by a sedan making a left turn on West 33 Street in Manhattan. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered head injuries and abrasions, left in shock at the scene.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on West 33 Street in Manhattan struck a 21-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal. The driver was making a left turn and impacted the pedestrian with the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and abrasions and was left in shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian was not at fault and was crossing legally. The driver was licensed and operating a 2022 Toyota sedan. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4598921 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

Senate bill S 1952 orders advanced safety tech in all New York vehicles. DMV must set rules. Hoylman-Sigal leads. Gianaris and Gonzalez back him. No safety analyst review yet. Action at sponsorship stage.

Senate bill S 1952, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 17, 2023, it 'mandates the use of advanced safety technology in vehicles in the state; requires the commissioner of motor vehicles to promulgate certain rules and regulations.' Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal sponsors, joined by Michael Gianaris and Kristen Gonzalez. No safety analyst has reviewed the bill's impact on vulnerable road users. The bill awaits further action and committee assignment.

• File S 1952, Open States, Published 2023-01-17

Assembly bill A 1637 targets drivers who block bike lanes. It adds a mandatory surcharge for violators. Money goes straight to the court. Cyclists get a clear lane. Law aims to keep cars out.

Assembly bill A 1637 was introduced on January 17, 2023, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Relates to violations and a mandatory surcharge for parking in a bicycle lane,' would require drivers who park in bike lanes to pay an extra fee to the court that finds them liable. Jo Anne Simon (District 52) sponsored the bill, joined by Deborah Glick (District 66) and Tony Simone (District 75) as co-sponsors. The measure seeks to deter illegal parking in bike lanes by hitting violators in the wallet. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 1637, Open States, Published 2023-01-17

Senator Hoylman-Sigal pushes S 1651. Bill drops speed threshold for owner liability to seven miles over limit. Aims to catch more reckless drivers. No safety analyst note. Action at sponsorship stage.

Senate bill S 1651 was introduced on January 13, 2023, and is at the sponsorship stage. The bill, sponsored by Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, seeks to 'reduce the speed for owner liability for failure of operator to comply with certain posted maximum speed limits to more than seven miles per hour over such posted maximum speed limits.' No vote has taken place yet. The bill aims to tighten enforcement by lowering the speed threshold for liability. There is no safety analyst note on its impact for vulnerable road users.

• File S 1651, Open States, Published 2023-01-13

Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.

Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.

• File A 1280, Open States, Published 2023-01-13

Governor Hochul backs Sammy’s Law. She wants Albany to let New York City set its own speed limits. Advocates and city officials support her. Lower speeds mean fewer deaths. The fight now moves to the legislature. Streets could get safer. The city waits.

On January 10, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul announced her support for a state bill—known as Sammy’s Law—that would let New York City lower its own speed limits. The bill, sponsored by Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, has stalled in the legislature before. Hochul’s State of the State address declared, 'she will introduce her own version of the existing "Sammy's Law" bill.' Hoylman-Sigal called City Council members his 'partners' and urged their support. Amy Cohen, whose son was killed by a speeding driver, pressed the Council to act, saying, 'We need the Council to make it a priority to support Sammy's Law and redesign streets ... at a safe speed limit.' DOT spokesman Vin Barone added, 'DOT strongly supports Sammy’s Law.' The Adams administration and street safety advocates back the measure. If passed, the law would let the city drop speed limits below 25 mph citywide and below 15 mph near schools, giving local officials real power to protect vulnerable road users.

• State of the State: Hochul Seeks to Let New York City Lower its Speed Limits, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-10

Assembly bill A 551 drops the speed for owner liability to seven miles over the limit. Carroll and Simone sponsor. The move targets reckless drivers. No safety analyst note. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 551 was introduced on January 9, 2023, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Relates to reducing the speed for owner liability for failure of operator to comply with certain posted maximum speed limits,' proposes to lower the threshold for owner liability to more than seven miles per hour over the posted speed limit. Assembly Members Robert C. Carroll (District 44, primary sponsor) and Tony Simone (District 75, co-sponsor) back the measure. No safety analyst assessment is available. The bill aims to hold more drivers accountable for speeding, but its impact on vulnerable road users remains unassessed.

• File A 551, Open States, Published 2023-01-09

A man rode north on West 31st. Illness hit. He crashed his e-scooter. His head slammed the pavement. Blood pooled. He lay ejected, incoherent, alone. No helmet. The street stayed silent.

A 37-year-old man riding an e-scooter northbound on West 31st Street crashed after illness struck. According to the police report, 'Illness struck. He crashed, unhelmeted. Head split on pavement. Blood pooled. He lay ejected, incoherent, alone.' The report lists 'Illnes' as the contributing factor. The rider suffered a severe head injury and was incoherent at the scene. No other vehicles or people were involved. The data notes the rider was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the primary cause, which was illness.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4595530 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

Senate bill S 153 cracks down on bus lane violators. Owners face liability. Cameras catch drivers blocking buses. Sponsors push for stronger enforcement. Streets clear for buses, danger cut for those on foot.

Senate bill S 153, sponsored by Liz Krueger (District 28) with Andrew Gounardes (26) and Brad Hoylman-Sigal (47) as co-sponsors, is at the sponsorship stage. Introduced January 4, 2023, it 'relates to owner liability for failure of operator to comply with bus operation-related local law or regulation traffic restrictions and to the adjudication of certain parking infractions.' The bill extends a bus rapid transit demonstration program, using cameras to enforce bus lane rules. No safety analyst note was provided. The sponsors aim to hold vehicle owners accountable and keep bus lanes clear, a move that can reduce risk for pedestrians and bus riders.

• File S 153, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

Senate bill S 343 seeks a clear, public safety score for cars. The DMV would post these ratings. Lawmakers push for sunlight on danger. Pedestrians face risk. The system aims to expose it.

Senate bill S 343 was proposed on January 4, 2023. It sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Creates a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles,' would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to post these ratings online. Primary sponsor Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The measure targets transparency. It puts the danger of cars in plain sight. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 343, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

A taxi struck an e-scooter rider on West 23rd Street in Manhattan. The rider, a 54-year-old man, suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver was distracted at the time of the crash. No ejection occurred.

According to the police report, a taxi and an e-scooter collided on West 23rd Street in Manhattan. The e-scooter rider, a 54-year-old man, was injured with abrasions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The taxi driver was traveling westbound and struck the e-scooter rider, who was also going straight westbound. The point of impact was the taxi's right rear quarter panel and the e-scooter's center front end. The rider was not ejected and was conscious after the crash. The taxi sustained no damage. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4693981 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A taxi and an SUV crashed on West 21st Street in Manhattan. The SUV was changing lanes. The taxi driver suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries. Driver distraction caused the crash. No one was ejected. The taxi driver was alone and wearing a seatbelt.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling north on West 21st Street collided with a northbound SUV that was changing lanes. The taxi driver, a 42-year-old man, was injured with upper arm and shoulder trauma but was not ejected and wore a lap belt and harness. The crash caused damage to the right front bumper of the taxi and the left front bumper of the SUV. The police identified driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor. The SUV had no occupants or licensed driver information listed. No other contributing factors or victim actions were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4591013 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

Governor Hochul killed a bill to let New Yorkers sue over helicopter noise. The veto blocks a ban on non-essential flights from W. 30th Street. Noise complaints keep rising. Lawmakers and advocates slam the move. Relief for battered West Siders stalls again.

On December 16, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill from State Sen. Brad Hoylman and Assembly Member Dick Gottfried. The bill, which passed the legislature, would have allowed New Yorkers to sue helicopter companies for 'unreasonable and sustained noise' and banned non-essential flights from the W. 30th Street heliport. Hochul argued the measure conflicted with federal law, writing, 'Certain elements of this legislation run counter to the federal scheme regulating New York's airports and airspace.' Hoylman, the bill's sponsor, pushed back, citing a surge in noise complaints and calling the effort 'worth pursuing.' Andrew Rosenthal of Stop the Chop NY/NJ criticized Hochul's deference to federal preemption. The veto leaves West Side residents exposed to relentless helicopter noise, with no new legal tools or flight restrictions.

• Hochul Vetoes Bill Letting New Yorkers Sue For Helicopter Noise, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-16

A 53-year-old pedestrian was hit by an SUV making a left turn on West 25 Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian suffered a hip and upper leg contusion. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The victim was in shock at the scene.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV traveling south on 7 Avenue made a left turn onto West 25 Street and struck a pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian, age 53, sustained injuries to the hip and upper leg, described as contusions and bruises, and was in shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor by the driver. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling by the pedestrian were noted. The pedestrian was not at fault; the crash resulted from the driver's failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4591291 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A 69-year-old woman was struck by a southbound bike on 8th Avenue. She suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injury. The crash happened outside an intersection. The cyclist showed no damage. The pedestrian was confused and failed to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, a 69-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a bike traveling south on 8th Avenue struck her outside an intersection. She suffered fractures and dislocations to her knee and lower leg. The report lists contributing factors as pedestrian confusion and failure to yield right-of-way. The cyclist was going straight ahead and showed no vehicle damage. The pedestrian was crossing without signal or crosswalk. No driver errors beyond failure to yield were noted. The victim was conscious but seriously injured. The report does not mention helmet use or other safety equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4589990 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A 23-year-old woman was hit by an SUV while crossing West 18 Street with the signal. The driver made a left turn with limited view and failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered bruises and leg injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of West 18 Street while crossing with the signal. The driver, operating a 2011 Acura SUV, was making a left turn when the collision occurred. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The vehicle showed no damage despite impact to the right front bumper. The incident highlights driver errors in yielding and limited visibility at the crossing.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4590752 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

Council members push to ban non-essential helicopter flights. Noise and fumes choke neighborhoods. Lawmakers cite climate justice, but federal rules block action. Complaints soar. The city’s deal fails. Residents and activists demand relief. The sky remains loud.

"We’re not a bunch of zoo animals in New York City to be viewed by tourists flying overhead." -- Brad Hoylman-Sigal

On December 12, 2022, the New York City Council, led by Council Member Lincoln Restler, introduced a bill to ban non-essential helicopter flights from city heliports. The bill, discussed in oversight hearings, remains stalled. The matter summary states: 'Noise complaints from helicopters over New York City have soared in recent years, but lawmakers at city, state, and federal levels have failed to significantly reduce non-essential helicopter flights.' Restler declared, 'This isn't just a quality of life issue — it's about climate justice. 1 helicopter idling is the equivalent of 40 cars!' Council Member Gale Brewer and State Senator Brad Hoylman joined calls for action. Despite advocacy and testimony from residents, significant policy changes have not passed. The Federal Aviation Administration’s authority blocks local control. Helicopter noise and pollution continue to harm New Yorkers, especially in vulnerable neighborhoods.

• Going in Circles: Laws to Tame Helicopters Struggle to Take Off, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-12