Blood on 181st: Broken Promises, Broken Bodies

DOT boss dodged on safety. Mayor stalled the plan. Advocates fumed. The original design promised fewer lanes, protected bike lanes, safer crossings. Now, after a teacher’s death and 82 crashes in a year, the future is murky. City Hall listens to business, not victims.

On July 18, 2023, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez addressed the status of the McGuinness Boulevard redesign. The $40 million plan, drafted in 2021 after a fatal hit-and-run, aimed to cut lanes from four to two, add protected bike lanes, and shorten crossings. Rodriguez said, "[My] personal commitment as the commissioner of DOT [is] to do the best it can to continue doing my job to improve safety on McGuinness Boulevard." Mayor Adams reversed the plan after business opposition, despite support from every other elected official. Assembly Member Emily Gallagher blamed a small group for swaying the mayor, noting, "Other redesigned streets... all get safer and they work better." The timeline is now unclear. In the past year, 82 crashes injured 35 people on the corridor. Advocates vow to keep fighting for the original, safer design.

• DOT Boss Tries to Stay ‘Positive’ on McGuinness But Won’t Commit to Safest Possible Design, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-18

A motorcycle struck the rear of a stopped sedan on West 186 Street in Manhattan. The 24-year-old motorcyclist was partially ejected and suffered facial fractures. The crash involved traffic control disregard and following too closely by the motorcyclist.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling north on West 186 Street rear-ended a stopped sedan. The motorcyclist, a 24-year-old male with a permit license, was partially ejected and sustained facial fractures and dislocations. The report lists contributing factors as "Traffic Control Disregarded" and "Following Too Closely," indicating driver errors by the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist's view was also obstructed or limited. The sedan driver was licensed and stopped in traffic at the time of impact. The report does not mention any helmet use or signaling by the motorcyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4643517 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

DOT will test 15 package lockers on city sidewalks. Fewer trucks mean fewer threats to people walking and biking. The city bets on less idling, less chaos, less theft. But sidewalk crowding remains a risk. The pilot starts. Streets wait.

On June 30, 2023, the NYC Department of Transportation announced a one-year pilot called LockerNYC. The plan: install 15 large package lockers on city sidewalks to centralize deliveries. DOT says, "The lockers will centralize drop-off points, allowing carriers to make fewer truck trips." DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez claims the initiative will cut daily delivery truck trips and give New Yorkers a secure spot for packages. Sara Lind of Open Plans calls it "a creative solution for reducing the number of trucks circling the block and idling at the curb." Still, she warns, "sidewalks are already very crowded," and urges care to avoid worsening conditions for pedestrians. The pilot will test if lockers can reduce truck traffic and theft without squeezing out people on foot.

• DOT Seeks to Reduce Delivery Traffic and Package Theft with Lockers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-30

A man on a motorscooter was struck by an SUV making a left turn on West 181 Street in Manhattan. The scooter driver, unlicensed and injured, suffered shoulder abrasions and was ejected. The SUV driver was distracted and involved with alcohol.

According to the police report, the crash occurred when an SUV making a left turn collided with a motorscooter traveling straight ahead on West 181 Street near Amsterdam Avenue. The scooter driver, a 27-year-old man, was ejected and sustained upper arm and shoulder abrasions. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors, along with alcohol involvement by the SUV driver. The scooter driver was unlicensed. The SUV's point of impact was the left front bumper, while the motorscooter was hit at its center front end. No safety equipment was reported for the scooter rider. The crash highlights driver errors including distraction and failure to yield during the left turn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4643514 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

A bicyclist was injured after an SUV struck him on West 181 Street in Manhattan. The bike hit the right side doors of the parked SUV. The rider suffered a head contusion. Unsafe speed and passing too closely were factors.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old male bicyclist was injured when his bike collided with the right side doors of a parked 2021 SUV on West 181 Street in Manhattan. The bicyclist sustained a head contusion but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists unsafe speed and passing too closely as contributing factors to the crash. The SUV was stationary before impact, and the bike was traveling westbound. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The SUV sustained damage to its right side doors. The incident highlights driver errors related to speed and proximity during passing maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4640100 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

Assembly Member Inez Dickens stands firm against Sammy’s Law, lower speed limits, and more bike lanes in Harlem. She rejects congestion pricing, bus upgrades, and traffic calming. Her stance leaves vulnerable road users exposed. Other candidates back safety. Dickens does not.

Assembly Member Inez Dickens, leading the Harlem Council race, opposes bill 'Sammy’s Law,' which would let New York City set its own speed limits. At a June 2023 NY1 debate, Dickens said, 'I do not support it,' arguing that speeders will speed regardless. She also rejected more bike lanes, congestion pricing, bus improvements, and traffic calming. The matter summary states: 'Assembly Member Inez Dickens...does not support lowering the speed limit.' Her challengers, Assembly Member Al Taylor and Yusef Salaam, support Sammy’s Law and more bike lanes. Mayor Adams, a supporter of Sammy’s Law, has endorsed Dickens. Dickens’s stance blocks proven safety measures for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders. No safety analyst note was provided.

• Assembly Member in Harlem Council Race Opposes ‘Sammy’s Law,’ More Bike Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-20

A Honda SUV turned left on Broadway. It struck a 72-year-old woman crossing the street. She lay semiconscious, head bleeding, on the asphalt. The SUV stood idle under the streetlamps. The city kept moving.

A 72-year-old woman was struck by a Honda SUV while crossing Broadway near 4259. According to the police report, the woman was crossing against the signal when the SUV, making a left turn, hit her. She suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, and was found semiconscious at the scene. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The SUV sustained no damage. No driver errors were documented in the report. The impact left the pedestrian injured and vulnerable in the intersection, while the vehicle remained untouched.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648346 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

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 2023-06-08

Mothers starve for Sammy’s Law. Hochul offers sympathy, not action. Heastie keeps the bill off the floor. The law would let New York City lower speed limits. Assembly support grows. Vulnerable road users wait. Streets stay deadly. Lawmakers stall. Lives hang in the balance.

Sammy’s Law, stalled in the New York State Assembly, would let New York City set speed limits below 25 mph. On June 7, 2023, Governor Hochul expressed sympathy for hunger-striking mothers but refused to pressure Speaker Carl Heastie, who blocks the bill from a vote. The bill passed the Senate and has City Council and mayoral support. The matter summary: 'Hochul has previously expressed support for Sammy's Law, which would allow New York City to set its speed limits below 25 miles per hour.' Amy Cohen, a mother and advocate, demanded action, showing Heastie photos of victims. Seven new Assembly members, including Yudelka Tapia, Al Taylor, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, and Brian Cunningham, now back the bill, giving it majority support among NYC Assembly members. Still, the Speaker’s inaction leaves vulnerable road users exposed to speeding drivers and systemic danger.

• Hunger Strike Day 2: Gov. Hochul is ‘Sympathetic,’ But Won’t Pressure Heastie on Sammy’s Law, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-07

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

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

A sedan cut left on West 185th. Its front quarter struck a moped. The rider, thirty-six, flew off. Blood pooled by his torn leg. He lay still, in shock. The street went quiet. Danger lingered in the dark.

A sedan making a left turn on West 185th Street struck a moped rider traveling straight. The moped rider, age 36, was thrown from his vehicle and suffered severe lacerations to his leg. According to the police report, 'A moped rider, 36, struck mid-turn by a sedan’s front quarter. No helmet. Thrown halfway off. Blood pooled near his torn leg. He lay still, in shock, as the night closed in.' The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors for the moped rider. The sedan driver’s actions are also marked by 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The moped rider wore no helmet, as noted in the data. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4638032 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

A police pursuit on West 192 Street in Manhattan ended in a violent crash. Multiple SUVs and a sedan collided at unsafe speeds. The driver of one vehicle suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash left vehicles damaged and a driver injured.

According to the police report, a multi-vehicle collision occurred during a police pursuit on West 192 Street in Manhattan. The crash involved a sedan and several SUVs traveling southbound. The driver of one vehicle was injured, sustaining abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists unsafe speed and aggressive driving or road rage as contributing factors. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. The collision caused damage to the center front and back ends of the involved vehicles. No pedestrian involvement was reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4635134 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

An inexperienced driver slammed her SUV into another on West 181 Street. The front driver, a 45-year-old man, suffered a bruised shoulder and arm. Both vehicles took heavy damage. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, two SUVs traveled south on West 181 Street. The rear SUV, driven by a licensed but inexperienced woman, struck the back of the front SUV. The front driver, a 45-year-old man, was injured with a contusion and bruise to his shoulder and upper arm. The report lists driver inexperience and following too closely as contributing factors. Both vehicles were going straight. The front SUV took center back end damage; the rear SUV suffered center front end damage. The injured driver wore a lap belt and harness and was not ejected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4635130 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

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

NYPD and Jo Anne Simon call for tougher drunk driving laws. Police ramp up DWI patrols for Memorial Day. Officials urge Albany to drop legal BAC to .05%. They cite rising deaths. Advocates say alcohol fuels a third of crashes. Streets stay deadly.

On May 26, 2023, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon (District 52) joined NYPD and city officials to announce increased traffic enforcement for Memorial Day and to advocate for state legislation lowering the legal blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) threshold from .08% to .05%. The announcement, made at One Police Plaza, highlighted the bill sponsored by Simon and Sen. John Liu. The matter summary states, 'Officials called on Albany to pass legislation to lower the BAC threshold to .05%, arguing it would reduce DWI fatalities by about 10% and align with other countries.' Simon declared, 'Lowering the BAC limit from .08% to .05% is desperately needed to adequately tackle this epidemic of traffic violence.' NYPD Chief Kim Royster and DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez echoed the urgency. The bill awaits action in Albany. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but officials cite 43 NYC DWI deaths in 2021 and say 30% of state crashes involve alcohol.

• NYPD to step up enforcement of drink driving over Memorial Day weekend, amny.com, Published 2023-05-26