Lower the Speed, Save a Life—Or Bury Another Neighbor

A 61-year-old man crossing West 79 Street with the signal was struck by an SUV making a left turn. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. Driver inattention and failure to yield caused the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 23:28 on West 79 Street near Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. A 61-year-old male pedestrian was crossing the intersection with the signal when he was hit by a 2007 SUV making a left turn. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, and remained conscious after the collision. The report identifies driver errors as 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' These factors directly contributed to the crash. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and traveling westbound at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718999 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

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

Albany lawmakers clear the way for New York City to lower speed limits to 20 mph. The bill, named for Sammy Cohen Eckstein, follows years of parent-led advocacy. The measure excludes major multi-lane roads but targets most city streets. Lives hang in the balance.

On April 18, 2024, state lawmakers advanced legislation enabling New York City to reduce its default speed limit to 20 mph. The measure, known as Sammy’s Law, is part of the state budget deal and awaits final publication. Sponsored by Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal and Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, the bill allows the City Council to set lower limits on most streets, but excludes roads with three or more lanes in one direction. The bill’s title honors Sammy Cohen Eckstein, a 12-year-old killed by a speeding driver in 2013. Rosenthal said, “This is about trying to eliminate all unnecessary deaths, and one of the ways you do that is by making the speed limit lower.” Hoylman-Sigal credited persistent advocacy by Sammy’s mother and Families for Safe Streets. The City Council and Mayor must still approve the change. Advocates and city officials say the law gives New York City a vital tool to prevent traffic violence and protect vulnerable road users.

• Lawmakers to allow NYC to lower speed limit to 20 mph, gothamist.com, Published 2024-04-18

Albany lawmakers passed Sammy’s Law. New York City can now lower its speed limit to 20 mph. The bill honors Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a van driver at age 12. Lower speeds mean fewer deaths. Lawmakers and families fought for years.

On April 18, 2024, state lawmakers advanced Sammy’s Law, allowing New York City to reduce its default speed limit to 20 mph. The measure, named for Sammy Cohen Eckstein, a child killed by a van driver, was included in the state budget after years of advocacy. Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal sponsored the bill. The law exempts roads with three or more lanes in each direction. The bill’s summary states: 'allowing New York City to lower its speed limit to 20 miles per hour.' Rosenthal and other officials pushed for local control. Amy Cohen, Sammy’s mother, said, 'Lower speed limits save lives.' Studies show pedestrian death risk rises sharply as speed increases. This law gives the city power to protect its most vulnerable.

• Albany lawmakers set to pass Sammy’s Law, allow NYC to lower speed limit to 20 mph, amny.com, Published 2024-04-18

Albany lawmakers clear the way for New York City to lower speed limits to 20 mph. The bill, named for Sammy Cohen Eckstein, follows years of parent-led advocacy. The measure excludes major multi-lane roads but targets most city streets. Lives hang in the balance.

On April 18, 2024, state lawmakers advanced legislation enabling New York City to reduce its default speed limit to 20 mph. The measure, known as Sammy’s Law, is part of the state budget deal and awaits final publication. Sponsored by Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal and Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, the bill allows the City Council to set lower limits on most streets, but excludes roads with three or more lanes in one direction. The bill’s title honors Sammy Cohen Eckstein, a 12-year-old killed by a speeding driver in 2013. Rosenthal said, “This is about trying to eliminate all unnecessary deaths, and one of the ways you do that is by making the speed limit lower.” Hoylman-Sigal credited persistent advocacy by Sammy’s mother and Families for Safe Streets. The City Council and Mayor must still approve the change. Advocates and city officials say the law gives New York City a vital tool to prevent traffic violence and protect vulnerable road users.

• Lawmakers to allow NYC to lower speed limit to 20 mph, gothamist.com, Published 2024-04-18

Two sedans collided head-on and side-on at West 84 Street. A 28-year-old female passenger suffered abrasions and an elbow injury. Both drivers were licensed men traveling straight. The impact caused center front and right side damage to the vehicles.

According to the police report, at 9:10 AM on West 84 Street, two sedans traveling straight collided. One vehicle, a 2024 sedan moving north, struck the center front end, while the other, a 2020 sedan traveling east, was impacted on the right side doors. The report identifies no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. A 28-year-old female passenger in one sedan was injured with abrasions and an elbow-lower-arm-hand injury, wearing a lap belt and remaining conscious and not ejected. Both drivers were licensed men from New York. The collision caused significant damage to the front and right side of the vehicles, highlighting the dangers of intersecting vehicle paths even when both drivers proceed straight.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717649 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

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 taxi turning right struck a 52-year-old pedestrian crossing West 87 Street with the signal. The pedestrian suffered bruises and an elbow injury. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and turned improperly, causing the collision at the intersection.

According to the police report, a taxi was making a right turn on West 87 Street at 17:46 when it struck a 52-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal. The pedestrian was conscious and sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites driver errors including 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors to the crash. The taxi's point of impact was the center front end, indicating the vehicle struck the pedestrian directly during the turn. The pedestrian was not ejected and was wearing a harness while riding or hanging on outside. The driver was licensed and operating a 2016 Nissan taxi traveling westbound. The collision caused injury severity level 3 to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716084 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

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

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

Council bill orders DOT to repair broken curbs during street resurfacing. Hazardous curbs trip, trap, and injure. The fix is overdue. Pedestrians need solid ground. Council moves to force action.

Int 0724-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced March 19, 2024, the bill commands DOT to repair broken curbs that pose safety hazards during any resurfacing project. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... requiring that the department of transportation repair broken curbs as part of resurfacing projects.' Council Members Schulman, Gennaro (primary), Gutiérrez, Louis, Brewer, and Avilés sponsor the measure. The bill targets a simple danger: shattered curbs that trip and injure. If passed, DOT must fix these hazards as routine, not afterthought. The law would take effect 120 days after enactment.

• File Int 0724-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-19

The Assembly refused to include Sammy’s Law in the state budget. The bill would let New York City lower its speed limit to 20 mph. Advocates, families, and city leaders back it. The Assembly’s inaction leaves vulnerable road users exposed. Grief and anger mount.

On March 13, 2024, the New York State Assembly declined to advance Sammy’s Law (no bill number cited), which would let New York City set its own speed limit. The measure was left out of the Assembly’s budget, despite support from the State Senate, Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, and the City Council. The bill’s sponsor, Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, did not comment. The Assembly’s move angered advocates and families, including Amy Cohen of Families for Safe Streets, who said, 'We are very disappointed that the Assembly didn’t follow suit.' Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives called the decision a failure to join 'more than 130 unions, hospitals, business leaders, and community-led organizations that recognize the urgent need for this common-sense legislation.' The Assembly’s inaction keeps city streets dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. A rally is planned to push for the bill’s passage.

• Déjà-Vu All Over Again: Assembly Balks on ‘Sammy’s Law,’ Bill Sponsor Silent, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-13

Two taxis collided near West 77th. The rear cab, following too close, struck the front. A passenger and both drivers suffered whiplash and head or neck injuries. All remained conscious. No vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, two taxis crashed at 23:56 on Amsterdam Avenue near West 77 Street in Manhattan. The rear taxi, heading north, struck a slowing or stopping taxi ahead. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors for the rear taxi. A right rear passenger and both drivers were injured, suffering whiplash and head or neck injuries. All injured parties remained conscious and were not ejected. Despite the impact to the center front end of the rear taxi and the center back end of the front taxi, no vehicle damage was recorded. The report highlights driver error as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709337 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Council aims to ban moving billboards. These rolling ads distract drivers. The bill locks in an existing rule. Streets need fewer distractions. Safety for walkers and riders comes first.

Bill Int 0541-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced March 7, 2024, by Council Members Bottcher (primary), Brannan, Brewer, and Restler, it seeks to ban moving billboards. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to banning moving billboards.' These billboards are already illegal under city rules. The bill would codify 34 RCNY 4-12(j), making the ban law. Bottcher and co-sponsors want to cut visual clutter and driver distraction. The bill was referred to committee on March 7, 2024.

• File Int 0541-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Taxi plowed into a northbound cyclist on West 86 Street. The rider, 31, took the hit, bruised and bloodied his arm. Police blamed driver inattention and failure to yield. The cyclist stayed conscious.

According to the police report, a taxi heading west on West 86 Street struck a 31-year-old male bicyclist traveling north. The taxi's left front bumper hit the center front end of the bike. The cyclist suffered contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was not ejected and remained conscious. Police cited 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors by the taxi driver. The cyclist wore a helmet, but helmet use was not listed as a contributing factor. The taxi, a 2015 Nissan, sustained damage to its left front bumper. The bicycle was damaged at its center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4706616 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A diesel truck passed too close on West 76th. The e-bike rider, helmet on, was crushed at the hip and killed. The truck rolled on, untouched. The street fell silent, holding the weight of sudden loss.

According to the police report, a diesel tractor truck traveling east on West 76th Street passed an e-bike rider 'too closely.' The 57-year-old woman riding the e-bike, who was wearing a helmet, was struck and crushed at the hip. She died at the scene. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the primary contributing factor, underscoring a critical driver error by the truck operator. The truck itself sustained no damage and continued on after the collision. The e-bike rider’s helmet use is noted in the report, but the fatal outcome was driven by the truck driver's failure to maintain a safe passing distance. The report offers no evidence of any error or contributing action by the e-bike rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4706377 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Councilmember De La Rosa sounded the alarm. Congestion pricing looms. Uptown streets may flood with out-of-town cars. Residents want parking permits. The council debated. The bills stalled. The city waits. Vulnerable road users face the fallout.

On February 29, 2024, Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa and colleagues introduced bills for residential parking permits in response to congestion pricing. The matter, debated in the council, centered on the fear that 'communities like mine...will become sort of ground zero for out-of-community folks coming in to park,' as De La Rosa warned. The bills did not advance. Gale Brewer, now a councilmember, highlighted mixed results from other cities and withheld endorsement, saying, 'we didn't hear great feedback from the systems that exist.' Residents pushed hard, but politicians did not move. The Department of Transportation said state legislation is needed. No safety analyst assessed the impact on vulnerable road users. The city remains divided, and the streets stay dangerous.

• Congestion pricing might drive NYC commuters uptown. Residents want parking permits., gothamist.com, Published 2024-02-29

Council moves to outlaw fake plates. Fraud hides reckless drivers. Bill targets sellers, sets fines. Streets need truth. Law aims to strip shields from danger.

Bill Int 0178-2024 sits with the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the sale or distribution of fraudulent license plates," makes it illegal to sell or distribute fake or temporary plates, with civil penalties for violators. Council Member Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Schulman, Ung, Marte, Hudson, Brewer, Brannan, and Avilés. The bill was referred to committee the same day. Fraudulent plates let reckless drivers vanish. This measure aims to close that escape, exposing those who endanger lives.

• File Int 0178-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council wants 500 solar-lit crosswalks in five years. Bright signals cut through the dark. The bill demands action and a study. Safety for walkers, not drivers. No more hiding in the shadows.

Int 0301-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to install at least 100 illuminated, solar-powered traffic control devices at crosswalks each year for five years. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law...in relation to the installation of solar-powered crosswalks.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by Menin, Brooks-Powers, Rivera, and others. The bill also requires a study comparing these devices to standard signs. The city must report findings within two years. The goal: more visible crossings, fewer deadly impacts.

• File Int 0301-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council bill pushes DOT to let schools, centers, and institutions use streets outside their doors. More people, less traffic. Streets shift from cars to community. Still in committee.

Int 0450-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since February 28, 2024. The bill orders DOT to create a program letting community centers, schools, arts, and religious institutions use adjacent outdoor spaces. The matter title reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to establish a program to allow community centers, schools, arts and cultural institutions and religious institutions to use adjacent outdoor spaces.' Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads, joined by Stevens, Restler, Won, and others. The bill has not yet passed. If enacted, it could reclaim space from cars, giving it to people. No formal safety analysis yet, but the measure could mean safer, more vibrant streets for all.

• File Int 0450-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28