Richmond Hill Bleeds While Leaders Stall: Lower the Speed, Save a Life

Jun 6 - 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

Jun 6 - 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

Jun 1 - 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

May 31 - 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

May 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

May 30 - 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

May 22 - Council members fight congestion pricing for 5,200 drivers. Most New Yorkers ride transit. Opponents claim harm to businesses and residents. Advocates say the plan funds transit, cuts traffic, and spares the vulnerable. The city’s future hangs in the balance.

The congestion pricing debate centers on a policy to toll drivers entering Manhattan’s core. The bill faces opposition from Council Members David Weprin, Joann Ariola, and Ari Kagan, who argue it will hurt small businesses and outer-borough residents. On May 22, 2023, Ari Kagan said, 'Congestion Pricing will hurt countless New Yorkers, small businesses, residents of so-called outer-boroughs & will create huge lines of parked cars right outside of Manhattan.' Yet, the MTA’s assessment shows only 5,200 city drivers commute by car from areas far from fast transit—just 1.2% of that population. Advocates like Felicia Park-Rogers counter, 'this policy has the potential to be utterly transformational for our city.' The plan includes exemptions for disabled and low-income drivers. Most New Yorkers stand to gain safer, better-funded transit and less congestion.

• Straw Men: The Fight Over Congestion Pricing Comes Down to Just 5,200 NYC Drivers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-22

May 22 - Council Member Joann Ariola joined the fight over congestion pricing. The debate centers on just 5,200 drivers. Most New Yorkers use transit. Opponents claim harm to businesses and residents. Data shows broad benefit. The city stands at a crossroads.

On May 22, 2023, Council Member Joann Ariola (District 32) was mentioned in a public debate over New York City's congestion pricing policy. The matter, titled 'Straw Men: The Fight Over Congestion Pricing Comes Down to Just 5,200 NYC Drivers,' highlights that only 1.2% of residents far from fast transit drive into the congestion zone. Ariola, along with other council members, voiced concerns about impacts on small businesses and residents. The debate draws on MTA data showing most New Yorkers rely on public transit, not cars. Exemptions and discounts for disabled and low-income drivers are included in the policy. Advocates argue congestion pricing will reduce traffic, fund transit, and transform city streets for vulnerable road users. The council's discussion reflects a sharp divide between data and political narrative.

• Straw Men: The Fight Over Congestion Pricing Comes Down to Just 5,200 NYC Drivers, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-05-22

May 19 - Two SUVs crashed on Atlantic Avenue in Queens. Both drivers ignored traffic controls. A man and a woman were injured. Metal twisted. Shock and pain followed. The street bore the impact.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Atlantic Avenue in Queens. Both drivers disregarded traffic controls, leading to the crash. A 40-year-old male driver suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. A 34-year-old female passenger was hurt in her elbow, lower arm, and hand. Both experienced shock and pain. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor for both drivers. The crash left one SUV with center front end damage and the other with damage to the left rear quarter panel. No one was ejected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4630604 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 18 - A pickup truck struck the right side of an SUV on 117 Street in Queens. The SUV driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles showed front and side damage. Driver inexperience contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 2008 Ford pickup truck traveling west collided with the right side doors of a 2019 Nissan SUV traveling north on 117 Street in Queens. The SUV driver, a 30-year-old female occupant, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver inexperience as a contributing factor to the crash. The pickup truck sustained center front end damage, while the SUV was damaged on the right side doors. No ejections or other injuries were reported. The pickup truck driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4630194 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 16 - 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

Apr 24 - An 18-year-old e-bike rider was ejected and suffered a head injury in a collision with a sedan making a right turn on Atlantic Avenue. The rider was incoherent and diagnosed with a concussion. The sedan’s right front quarter panel was damaged.

According to the police report, an 18-year-old male e-bike driver was injured and ejected during a crash on Atlantic Avenue. The e-bike was traveling westbound, going straight ahead, when it collided with a sedan making a right turn eastbound. The sedan sustained damage to its right front quarter panel. The e-bike rider suffered a head injury and was incoherent at the scene, with a concussion reported. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4623567 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 15 - An e-bike rider crashed into the left side of a parked sedan in Queens. The 30-year-old bicyclist suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The driver of the sedan was licensed. The crash involved disregarding traffic control signals.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old male bicyclist riding an e-bike collided with the left side doors of a parked sedan on Atlantic Avenue in Queens. The bicyclist sustained neck injuries and complained of whiplash but was conscious and wearing a helmet. The sedan was occupied by a licensed female driver and was stationary at the time of impact. The report lists "Traffic Control Disregarded" as a contributing factor, indicating a failure to obey traffic signals or signs. No other driver errors or victim actions were specified. The bicyclist was not ejected and had unspecified additional contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4621370 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 21 - Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Mar 15 - A 6-year-old girl on a bike was struck by an SUV traveling south on 114 Street. The collision caused abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The child wore a helmet and remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 6-year-old female bicyclist was injured when a southbound SUV collided with her bike on 114 Street in Queens. The child suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor by the SUV driver. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The SUV struck the bike at the center front end, impacting the vehicle's left front bumper. The crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4613461 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 3 - Two sedans crashed on Atlantic Avenue in Queens. One vehicle hit the other’s right side doors with its left front bumper. An 81-year-old female passenger suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Alcohol was involved in the crash. Both drivers were licensed.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Atlantic Avenue near Lefferts Boulevard in Queens. The Ford sedan traveling south struck the right side doors of the Chrysler sedan traveling west. The crash injured an 81-year-old female passenger in the Chrysler, who suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor for the occupant’s injury. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead before impact. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the Ford and the right side doors of the Chrysler. The report does not list any failure to yield or other driver errors beyond alcohol involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4610731 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 28 - Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-02-28

Feb 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

Jan 24 - 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

Jan 24 - 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