Blood on 181st: Broken Promises, Broken Bodies

A driver killed 7-year-old Dolma Naadhun at a Queens intersection. City workers made minor fixes. Council members demanded daylighting and real barriers. DOT resisted, citing flexibility. Advocates want curb extensions. The city’s slow action leaves streets deadly.

On February 24, 2023, Council Members Julie Won, Tiffany Cabán, and Selvena Brooks-Powers sent a letter to the Department of Transportation (DOT) after a driver killed Dolma Naadhun. They demanded daylighting, neckdowns, speed bumps, stop signs, and reflective markings at Newtown Road intersections. The lawmakers wrote, “Nothing can bring back Dolma Naadhun, but we can prevent further loss of life so that no family must experience the loss of a loved one.” DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez opposed a Council bill mandating 100 daylighted intersections per year, arguing for flexibility and physical infrastructure in daylit spaces. Advocates and experts agree: daylighting without barriers is flawed. They call for curb extensions to slow drivers and protect people. Residents remain frustrated by the city’s slow, limited response after repeated deaths and injuries.

• R.I.P. DOLMA: A Deep Dive on DOT’s Daylighting Dilemma, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-24

A 9-year-old boy suffered chest injuries as an SUV struck a sedan from behind on the Washington Bridge. The SUV driver followed too closely, causing a forceful rear-end collision. The boy, a right rear passenger, was bruised and shocked but not ejected.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on the Washington Bridge in Manhattan when a 2007 SUV rear-ended a 2018 sedan. The SUV driver, holding a learner's permit, was traveling westbound and failed to maintain a safe distance, identified as "Following Too Closely." The impact was centered on the SUV's right front bumper and the sedan's center back end. A 9-year-old male occupant seated in the right rear of the sedan sustained a chest contusion and was listed as injured with shock. The child was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. The report highlights the driver's error of following too closely as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4609753 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

Assembly Bill 4637 would use cameras to keep cars out of bike lanes. The bill targets drivers who block protected lanes. Sponsors say it will protect cyclists from deadly crashes.

Assembly Bill A 4637, now in the sponsorship stage, aims to create a bicycle lane safety program in New York City. The bill, introduced on February 21, 2023, enforces restrictions on protected bike lanes using photo devices. The matter title reads: 'Establishes in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani leads as primary sponsor, joined by Brian Cunningham, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Harvey Epstein, Amy Paulin, and others. The bill targets drivers who endanger cyclists by blocking protected lanes. No safety analyst note is available.

• File A 4637, Open States, Published 2023-02-21

A moped and a bike crashed head-on on Saint Nicholas Avenue in Manhattan. The 43-year-old bicyclist was ejected and suffered a head injury, including a concussion. The crash involved improper lane usage and driver inexperience.

According to the police report, a moped traveling south and a bike traveling north collided head-on on Saint Nicholas Avenue near West 184 Street. The bicyclist, a 43-year-old man, was ejected from his bike and sustained a head injury, including a concussion. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The moped and bike both sustained damage to their center front ends. The report does not indicate any fault or blame on the bicyclist but highlights driver errors related to lane usage and experience.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4607492 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

A 49-year-old woman was struck while crossing Hillside Avenue at a marked crosswalk. She suffered bruises and injuries to her entire body. The crash involved a Ford car. No driver errors or contributing factors were reported by police.

According to the police report, a 49-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Hillside Avenue at a marked crosswalk in Manhattan. She sustained contusions and injuries to her entire body. The vehicle involved was a Ford car. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal, but no fault or blame is assigned. No safety equipment or other factors were noted. The crash caused moderate injury but no further details on driver actions or vehicle damage were provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4609771 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

City Council grilled DOT on street safety. Commissioner Rodriguez rejected new bollards, signs, and speed bumps. Advocates demanded action after 255 deaths. Council and DOT agreed only on a 5 mph limit for Open Streets. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain at risk.

On February 14, 2023, the City Council’s Transportation Committee, chaired by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (District 31), held a hearing on a slate of street safety bills. The matter, titled 'DOT chief pushes back on City Council’s latest street safety proposals,' saw Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez oppose mandatory installation of bollards, safety signs near schools, reflective curbs, and speed bumps near senior centers. Brooks-Powers opened the hearing noting, 'It sounds, unfortunately, like DOT doesn’t support any of the bills that we’re looking to discuss today.' Street safety advocates, including Priscilla Afokoba and Amy Cohen, spoke in favor of the proposals, citing the 255 people killed by motorists in the previous year. The only consensus: a resolution to urge Albany to reduce the speed limit to 5 mph on Open Streets, with Governor Hochul signaling support. The hearing highlighted deep divides between the Council and DOT on protecting pedestrians and cyclists.

• DOT chief pushes back on City Council’s latest street safety proposals, gothamist.com, Published 2023-02-14

Council pressed DOT on slow safety progress. Adams administration rejected bills for traffic calming, daylighting, and crash studies. Council vowed to push forward. DOT blamed staff cuts. Advocates demanded hard fixes. Streets stay deadly. Vulnerable lives hang in the balance.

On February 14, 2023, the City Council held an oversight hearing on a package of street safety bills. Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers led the debate. The Adams administration, represented by DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, opposed the bills, arguing, 'Streets are dynamic and conditions are constantly changing. We need to be nimble.' The bills would require DOT to install traffic calming near senior centers, daylight intersections, add school safety signs, study and install bollards, and increase crash reporting. Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized the mayor’s budget cuts, saying they undermine safety goals. Brooks-Powers pledged to advance the bills, stressing the need for hard infrastructure, especially in Black and Brown neighborhoods. DOT admitted it is behind on bus and bike lane targets. No formal safety analyst assessment was provided, but advocates insist better design saves lives.

• DOT honchos grilled on street safety progress as Adams admin announces opposition to Council bills, amny.com, Published 2023-02-14

DOT missed safety targets. Council pressed for action. DOT balked, citing staff shortages. Council demanded more. Advocates called bills weak. Streets remain dangerous. No relief for pedestrians or cyclists. City government stalls. Vulnerable lives hang in the balance.

At a February 14, 2023 City Council oversight hearing, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez admitted the agency failed to meet last year’s street safety benchmarks. The hearing, led by Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, reviewed a slate of bills requiring reflective materials, school safety signs, daylighting, bollards, and more frequent fatality studies. Rodriguez said DOT supports the intent but opposes the bills, citing staffing shortages and a need for flexibility. Brooks-Powers expressed disappointment: 'It sounds, unfortunately, like DOT is not supporting any of the bills.' Council Member Lincoln Restler criticized city austerity and shrinking staff. Advocates, including Amy Cohen, said the bills 'don’t go nearly far enough.' The hearing exposed deep gaps between Council ambition, DOT capacity, and the urgent need for safer streets.

• DOT to Council: Don’t Ask Us To Do More After We Failed to What You Mandated Us To Do Last Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-14

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 2023-02-13

Council weighs bills to curb traffic violence. Advocates demand daylighting, civilian enforcement, and street redesigns. Open Plans calls for urgent action. Focus: less driving, more protection for walkers and cyclists. The hearing marks a push for safer, saner streets.

On February 14, 2023, the City Council Transportation Committee holds a hearing on Vision Zero. The agenda covers several bills: Intro 415 (dangerous driving study), Intro 555 (school safety signs), Intro 679 (traffic calming near seniors), Intro 805 (pedestrian safety reporting), Intro 854 (annual daylighting), Intro 879 (bollards at sidewalks), and Intro 441 (5 mph on Open Streets). Open Plans' Sara Lind supports daylighting, civilian and automated enforcement, and home rule for speed limit reductions, stating, 'Self-enforcing streets are best.' Jackson Chabot urges street redesigns and curb reform. Both demand immediate action to protect vulnerable road users. The hearing is the first Vision Zero session under the new mayor.

• From the Assignment Desk: Open Plans Helps Get You Ready for Tuesday’s Council ‘Vision Zero’ Hearing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-13

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 2023-02-13

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 2023-02-13

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 2023-02-13

A sedan changing lanes struck an SUV going straight. Impact hit right side doors of the sedan and left side doors of the SUV. The sedan driver, a 22-year-old man, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Both drivers were licensed men.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old male sedan driver was injured when his vehicle collided with an SUV on Henry Hudson Parkway. The sedan was changing lanes and struck the SUV traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the right side doors of the sedan and the left side doors of the SUV. The sedan driver suffered whiplash and injuries to his entire body but was not ejected and was conscious. The report lists driver errors including an unspecified contributing factor and a defective accelerator in the sedan. Both drivers were licensed men from New York. The sedan driver was restrained with a lap belt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4604705 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-08

Assembly bill A 4057 orders new safety tech in cars. DMV must set rules. Lawmakers push for machines to see, sense, and stop. Streets demand more than hope. The bill stands at sponsorship.

Assembly bill A 4057, sponsored by Brian Cunningham and co-sponsored by Steven Raga, Chris Burdick, Tony Simone, Manny De Los Santos, Jen Lunsford, and Jo Anne Simon, was introduced on February 9, 2023. The bill is in the sponsorship stage. 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.' No vote has been held yet. The bill aims to force carmakers and drivers to adopt new tech, shifting the burden from flesh to steel. No safety analyst note is available.

• File A 4057, Open States, Published 2023-02-09

DOT adds 80 carshare spaces in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. The move targets low-income, transit-poor neighborhoods. Officials say carshare cuts car ownership and miles driven. More spaces will follow. The city aims to curb private cars and free up streets.

On February 8, 2023, the Department of Transportation announced an expansion of its carshare program, adding 80 new curbside spaces across Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. The program, now permanent after a four-year pilot, aims for 'equitable distribution in predominantly low-income Black and brown neighborhoods with limited transportation options.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'We now have the proof that convenient access to carshare frees New Yorkers from the burden of car ownership—while helping to fight climate change.' The expansion follows a pilot that saw a 38.7 million mile annual drop in driving and a reduction in private car ownership among participants. Three companies—Zipcar, Getaround, and Truqit—will deploy vehicles in the new spaces. More spots are planned later this year as the city pushes for fewer private cars and safer, less congested streets.

• City to Roll Out 80 More Carshare Spaces Starting This Week as Program Expands, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-08

Sen. Gillibrand pledged $18 million to shrink Delancey Street. She invoked the death of Dashane Santana. Crashes have battered this corridor for years. The plan promises a road diet, separated bike lanes, and accessibility. Officials say it will change everything. Action is overdue.

On February 7, 2023, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced an $18-million federal grant for redesigning Delancey Street, using most of a $21-million citywide safety fund. The project, still in the design phase, will add separated bike lanes, accessibility upgrades, and a road diet—measures meant to calm traffic and protect vulnerable road users. Gillibrand referenced the 2012 death of 12-year-old Dashane Santana and said, 'We need to do much better.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez called the project a 'citywide commitment' and said it would 'completely change the feel of Delancey Street, making it safer and more welcoming.' Since 2019, 799 crashes have injured 279 people here, including 69 cyclists and 48 pedestrians. Despite past improvements, injury rates have not dropped. The new plan aims to finally break that cycle.

• Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Announces a Delancey Street ‘Road Diet’ … But Doesn’t Know What It Is, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-07

Senator John Liu pushes to drop New York’s legal blood alcohol limit from 0.08 to 0.05. Drunk drivers killed 307 people statewide in 2019. The bill aims to cut deaths. Utah saw fatal crashes fall after a similar move. The message: don’t drink and drive.

On February 7, 2023, Queens State Senator John Liu, representing District 16, publicly supported a bill in the State Legislature to lower the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers from 0.08 to 0.05. The bill’s summary states, 'The 0.05 BAC simply says, don’t drink and drive.' Liu, as the bill’s primary sponsor, emphasized that anyone found with a BAC over 0.05 would be charged with DWI. City Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez joined the push, warning, 'Whether they are at 0.06 or 0.12 or 0.20, the consequences can be deadly.' Drunk driving caused 307 deaths in New York State in 2019, nearly a third of all fatal crashes. Utah’s adoption of a 0.05 BAC limit led to a 20% drop in fatal crashes in its first year. The bill is part of a broader effort to protect pedestrians, cyclists, and passengers from impaired drivers.

• City transportation chief joins state push to lower blood alcohol limits, amny.com, Published 2023-02-07

Eighteen million federal dollars will cut lanes, build bike paths, and add access on Delancey Street. The stretch has killed and maimed for years. Officials call it a crisis. The redesign aims to protect walkers and riders where drivers have struck down too many.

On February 6, 2023, officials announced an $18 million federal grant for a street safety overhaul on Delancey Street, Manhattan. The project, funded by the Safe Streets and Roads for All program, will reduce traffic lanes, add protected bike paths, and improve accessibility between Clinton and Bowery Streets. The announcement follows years of crashes—38 killed or severely injured from 2016 to 2020, and 200 crashes in a decade. Council Member Carlina Rivera (District 2) was mentioned in the announcement. Council Member Christopher Marte called the road a 'crisis.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said the redesign focuses on a hazardous stretch heavily used by pedestrians and cyclists. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, 'Old folks, toddlers, workers and students shouldn’t have to fear for their lives.' The grant marks a step toward safer streets for New York’s most vulnerable.

• Gillibrand, local pols unveil $18M federal grant to redesign dangerous stretch of Delancey Street, amny.com, Published 2023-02-06

DOT revives its student contest to push street safety and walking. Kids make PSAs. Winners get cash. Council Member Narcisse backs the move. The city wants young voices to remind drivers: streets are for people, not just cars.

On February 3, 2023, the Department of Transportation announced the return of the 'We're Walking Here' competition. This program, paused during the pandemic, targets K-12 students across New York City. The contest runs March 6-31, with students creating public-service announcements to promote walking and traffic safety. Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, representing District 46, voiced support: 'I am happy to support the NYC DOT's relaunch of their "We're Walking Here" campaign to raise awareness of our collective responsibility to eliminate all traffic deaths and serious injuries.' The contest partners with the 'Hip Hop 50' campaign, blending street safety with city culture. Winners receive prizes from The Safe Streets Fund. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez called students 'some of our most vulnerable pedestrians.' The program aims to put safety in the hands of those most at risk.

• DOT brings back student competition that promotes health and street safety, amny.com, Published 2023-02-03