East Midtown Bleeds While Leaders Stall

A 77-year-old male passenger riding outside a taxi was injured in Manhattan. The taxi was traveling west on East 53rd Street at unsafe speed. The passenger suffered fractures and dislocations but was not ejected. The vehicle showed no damage.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling westbound on East 53rd Street in Manhattan was moving at an unsafe speed. A 77-year-old male passenger riding or hanging on the outside of the vehicle was injured, sustaining fractures and dislocations. The passenger was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists unsafe speed as the contributing factor. The taxi showed no damage and was going straight ahead at the time of the incident. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4754436 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A moped struck a sedan making a left turn in Manhattan. The moped driver sped and failed to yield. A passenger was ejected and injured, suffering abrasions and leg wounds. The sedan driver was licensed and driving eastbound.

According to the police report, a 2023 moped traveling east collided with a 2020 sedan making a left turn at East 46 Street in Manhattan. The moped driver was unlicensed and contributed to the crash by unsafe speed and failure to yield right-of-way. The sedan driver was licensed and driving east. A 29-year-old male passenger in the moped was ejected and sustained knee, lower leg, and foot injuries, including abrasions. The passenger was conscious but injured, seated in the middle rear seat position. Driver inattention and distraction also contributed to the crash. The impact occurred at the center front end of the moped and the left front quarter panel of the sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4640216 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Four dead in Chinatown. Unsafe e-bike batteries sparked the blaze. Council Member Powers leads a bill to swap out dangerous batteries. Mayor Adams hesitates, citing costs. Delivery workers face risk. The Council demands action. Lives hang in the balance.

Intro 949, a City Council bill, seeks to buy back unsafe e-bike batteries and provide safe replacements at low or no cost. The bill, introduced by Council Member Keith Powers, has support from 33 Council members. It follows a deadly Chinatown fire on June 21, 2023, that killed four people. The bill is in committee, with Powers urging Mayor Adams and the FDNY to support it, stating, 'There is a clear consensus that a battery swap program will save lives.' Mayor Adams questioned the program's cost and called for federal, state, and Council funding. FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh backed the need for safe batteries for delivery workers. The Council's push comes as battery fires rise, endangering workers and residents. The bill has broad coalition support, but City Hall has not fully committed.

• After Deadly Fire, Mayor Waffles on E-Bike Battery Buy Back Bill, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-22

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

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 2023-06-01

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 2023-05-31

NYC leaders went to Albany. They demanded lawmakers pass Sammy’s Law. The bill lets the city set its own speed limits. Brad Hoylman-Sigal led the charge. The law is named for a child killed by a car. The fight is urgent. Lives hang in the balance.

On May 30, 2023, State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and other NYC officials lobbied the state legislature to pass key transportation and housing bills before the session ends June 9. The centerpiece is 'Sammy’s Law,' which would let New York City set its own speed limits, potentially lowering them to 20 mph. Hoylman-Sigal, the bill’s sponsor, said, 'Senators in Massapequa shouldn’t set the speed limit for Manhattan—or the reverse.' The law is named for Sammy Cohen Eckstein, a 12-year-old killed by a car in Brooklyn. The bill had stalled before, but this year the required home rule resolution was submitted. Mayor Adams’ administration also pushed for affordable housing reforms. The push for Sammy’s Law is a fight to give NYC control over its streets and protect vulnerable road users from deadly speeding.

• NYC officials press Albany to pass critical bills on housing, city speed limit and others before session ends, nypost.com, Published 2023-05-30

Senate backs S 6802. Albany gets school speed cameras. One no vote. Cameras aim to slow drivers near kids. Program ends 2028. Lawmakers move to shield children from reckless speed.

Senate bill S 6802, introduced by Neil D. Breslin, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in Albany. The bill passed committee on May 30, 2023, with only one senator, Andrew J. Lanza, voting no. The official summary reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2028.' Breslin led sponsorship. Seventeen senators voted yes. The program targets driver speed near schools, aiming to protect children and other vulnerable road users. The law sunsets at the end of 2028.

• File S 6802, Open States, Published 2023-05-30

Senate backs S 6802. Albany gets school speed cameras. One no vote. Cameras aim to slow drivers near kids. Program ends 2028. Lawmakers move to shield children from reckless speed.

Senate bill S 6802, introduced by Neil D. Breslin, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in Albany. The bill passed committee on May 30, 2023, with only one senator, Andrew J. Lanza, voting no. The official summary reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2028.' Breslin led sponsorship. Seventeen senators voted yes. The program targets driver speed near schools, aiming to protect children and other vulnerable road users. The law sunsets at the end of 2028.

• File S 6802, Open States, Published 2023-05-30

A 34-year-old man was struck at East 49 Street and 2 Avenue. The sedan made a left turn and failed to yield. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion but remained conscious. Driver distraction played a role in the crash.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing East 49 Street with the signal at the intersection with 2 Avenue in Manhattan. The driver of a 2020 Chevrolet sedan was making a left turn and failed to yield the right-of-way. The report lists driver errors as Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Driver Inattention/Distraction. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact to its center front end. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in yielding and attention at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4634782 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 52-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured in Manhattan’s East 49 Street. The sedan made a left turn and hit the bike’s front center. The rider suffered shoulder and upper arm contusions. Driver inattention and unsafe speed contributed.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn on East 49 Street in Manhattan collided with a northbound bicyclist. The 52-year-old male bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained upper arm and shoulder injuries, classified as injury severity 3. The point of impact was the left rear quarter panel of the sedan and the center front end of the bike. Contributing factors listed include driver inattention or distraction and unsafe speed. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The report identifies the driver errors as failure to maintain attention and unsafe speed, which led to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4632012 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A sedan turning left struck a northbound taxi on 1 Avenue. Two passengers in the taxi suffered injuries to face and neck. The sedan driver failed to turn properly, causing a violent impact. Both injured passengers remained conscious but hurt.

According to the police report, a 2022 sedan was making a left turn on 1 Avenue when it collided with a northbound 2019 taxi. The sedan's left front bumper struck the taxi's right front quarter panel. Two taxi passengers, a 21-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man, were injured. The woman suffered abrasions to her face, and the man experienced whiplash in his neck. Both were conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists the sedan driver's errors as "Turning Improperly" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction." Neither passenger wore safety equipment. The crash caused center front end damage to the sedan and right front quarter panel damage to the taxi.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4630385 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Senate bill S 7099 orders complete street design in all DOT projects with state or federal funds. Streets must serve walkers, cyclists, and riders. No more car-first blueprints. Gounardes leads. Hoylman-Sigal, Krueger back him.

Senate bill S 7099, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York Senate. Filed May 18, 2023, the bill 'requires inclusion of complete street design for state and local transportation projects undertaken by DOT or which receive both federal and state funding and are subject to DOT oversight.' Senator Andrew Gounardes sponsors the measure. Senators Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Liz Krueger co-sponsor. The bill demands every street project under DOT control put people first—pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders. No safety analyst note is available yet. The bill aims to end car-centric planning.

• File S 7099, Open States, Published 2023-05-18

Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-05-16

A taxi hit an 18-year-old pedestrian crossing 1 Avenue at East 50 Street. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The driver was speeding. The pedestrian was conscious and crossing legally.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling north on 1 Avenue struck an 18-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at East 50 Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but remained conscious. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor for the driver. The taxi's point of impact was the center front end, and the vehicle showed no damage. The pedestrian was not at fault and was crossing legally. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4628998 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Two SUVs crashed on East 48th Street in Manhattan. One driver, 41, suffered facial abrasions. The impact hit the left front bumper of a parked SUV and the front center of a moving SUV. Driver inexperience contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided near East 48th Street in Manhattan. One vehicle was parked, struck on its left front bumper. The other was moving southeast, hitting with its center front end. A 41-year-old male driver was injured, sustaining facial abrasions but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver inexperience as a contributing factor. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted. The injured occupant wore no safety equipment. The crash caused moderate injury and vehicle damage focused on front-end impacts.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4623200 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

City Council pressed delivery apps to protect workers from deadly e-bike battery fires. Two bills would force companies to provide safe batteries and fireproof charging. FDNY and city officials backed the push. Delivery workers face grave risk. Action is overdue.

On April 18, 2023, the City Council held a hearing on e-bike battery safety. The focus: Intro. 949 and Intro. 950. These bills, sponsored by Council Member Keith Powers, would require the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, Sanitation, and FDNY to run a buyback program for safe lithium-ion batteries and mandate companies provide fireproof charging containers. The matter title calls on delivery app companies to 'step up' and protect workers from deadly battery fires. Powers declared, 'We're failing as policy makers if we're not protecting folks from that.' Assistant Commissioner Carlos Ortiz and FDNY Code Counsel Julian Bazel testified in support. Both bills have majority Council backing. The Adams administration supports the spirit of the buyback. Delivery workers, mostly low-income immigrants, face high costs for safe batteries and deadly risk from unsafe ones. In 2023 alone, 63 lithium-ion fires caused 52 injuries and five deaths. The Council’s action targets this systemic danger.

• Delivery Apps Should ‘Step Up’ to Help Workers Avoid Deadly Lithium-Ion Fires, City Says, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-18