Injured, Ignored, and Still Waiting: Drop the Speed, Save a Life

Council and advocates demand action. Delays in commercial waste zones keep deadly trucks on city streets. Overlapping routes, reckless haulers, and missing side guards kill and injure. Reform stalls while lives hang in the balance. Urgency grows. No more excuses.

On May 2, 2022, the City Council’s Sanitation Committee, chaired by Council Member Sandy Nurse, held a hearing on the delayed implementation of commercial waste zones, a reform established by a 2019 law. The matter, titled 'Advocates Warn Against Further Delays on Commercial Waste Zones,' drew sharp criticism after the Department of Sanitation granted private carters a three-month extension to comply with new requirements. Nurse stated, 'Our communities cannot afford any more delays.' Advocates and Families for Safe Streets highlighted the deadly toll: reckless commercial haulers have killed more than two dozen people in recent years. The reform aims to cut truck traffic, reduce pollution, and require life-saving side guards on heavy trucks by 2024. Lauren Pine, a crash survivor, said, 'Commercial waste zone reform can not come fast enough.' The hearing underscored that every delay keeps vulnerable New Yorkers at risk.

• TRASH TALK: Advocates Warn Against Further Delays on Commercial Waste Zones, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-05-02

Council members demand bike education in every school. Few students get lessons now. The Department of Education drags its feet. Advocates want more: protected lanes, safe routes. Drivers hold the real power. Kids need more than lessons. They need safe streets.

On April 29, 2022, Council Members Erik Bottcher, Rita Joseph, and Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced a resolution urging the Department of Education to teach bicycle safety in all New York City public schools. The resolution states: 'Providing instruction in bicycle and traffic safety in schools, starting at an early age and continuing throughout students' years in school, would be an effective measure to both promote cycling and prevent bicycle accidents and other safety incidents.' Bottcher criticized the Department of Education for failing to follow the law, noting only a handful of schools offer bike lessons. Bottcher said, 'We want to see that program enlarged significantly.' Advocates support the push but warn that education alone is not enough. Julie Huntington stressed, 'This announcement must come with an investment in building protected bike lanes and safe routes to school to keep our new riders safe.' Bottcher put the responsibility on drivers: 'Drivers are in the vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds... if they hit someone with their car, it’s very likely they could take their life.' The council’s action highlights a gap between policy and real safety for children on city streets.

• Pols Want Every Kid in NYC to Learn How to Ride a Bike, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-29

Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers racked up 17 school zone speeding tickets in 11 months. Her car has 22 violations since 2020, plus a red light ticket. She admits fault. Southeast Queens, her district, faces high rates of pedestrian death.

Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, chair of the NYC Council's Transportation Committee, received 17 school zone speeding tickets in 11 months, totaling 22 since May 2020, plus one red light violation. The violations occurred in Southeast Queens, an area with high pedestrian and motorist injury rates. Under the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program, Brooks-Powers must take a safety course or risk her car being impounded. She admitted responsibility, expressed remorse, and pledged to improve her driving, stating, 'I absolutely pledge to do better as public safety is very important to me.' All tickets have been paid, so her car has not been towed. The article notes that camera-issued tickets do not affect a driver's license. Brooks-Powers has advocated for pedestrian safety and bus accessibility, but her driving record highlights the ongoing danger on streets not designed for safety, especially in communities of color.

• EXCLU: Council Transportation Chair’s Car Sped Through School Zones 17 Times in a Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-26

SUV plowed into a parked sedan on Van Wyck Expressway. Driver hurt. Police blamed inattention. Metal crumpled. Sedan’s rear and SUV’s front took the blow. No injuries in the parked car.

According to the police report, a northbound SUV struck a parked sedan on Van Wyck Expressway. The SUV’s 53-year-old male driver suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The sedan, occupied by two men, saw no injuries. Police listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary cause. The SUV’s front end and the sedan’s left rear bumper bore the damage. No other contributing factors or errors by the sedan’s occupants were recorded. Both vehicles were registered in New York. The crash left metal twisted but spared lives.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4521156 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Council members and advocates rallied at City Hall. They demanded $3.1 billion for the Streets Master Plan. Traffic deaths surged 44 percent in early 2022. The mayor’s budget falls short. The city stalls. Streets remain deadly. The call: fund safety now.

On April 22, 2022, more than a dozen City Council members and advocates gathered at City Hall to demand full funding for the Streets Master Plan. The plan, passed in 2019, requires hundreds of miles of protected bike lanes, bus lanes, and safer sidewalks. Council Member Alexa Avilés led the call: "We want $3.1 billion, a little tiny fraction of the [nearly $100-billion] city budget, to make sure our streets belong to us, and to make sure New Yorkers are safe." Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, Carlina Rivera, Lincoln Restler, Sandy Nurse, Chi Ossé, Crystal Hudson, Shekar Krishnan, and Amanda Farías joined her. Traffic fatalities rose 44 percent in the first quarter of 2022, the deadliest start since Vision Zero began. The mayor’s proposed $98.5-billion budget did not allocate significant funds for the plan. Advocates say the city must act now to stem the bloodshed on its streets.

• Pols and Advocates to Mayor: Put More Money Into the Streets Master Plan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-22

MTA will add 60 electric buses to its 6,000-vehicle fleet by year’s end. The buses will serve all five boroughs, targeting neighborhoods with high asthma rates. Officials praise the move, but progress remains slow. Charging stations will be built at several depots.

""Fully electrifying our bus fleet is a critical step forward to preserving our environment and protecting our families, and I am grateful to the MTA for its commitment to rolling out more electric buses in Queens this fall."" -- Donovan J. Richards

On April 22, 2022, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced it will add 60 electric buses to its 6,000-bus fleet by the end of the year. The new vehicles will be deployed to six depots across all five boroughs, focusing on 'environmental justice communities' with high asthma rates. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said, 'Fully electrifying our bus fleet is a critical step forward to preserving our environment and protecting our families.' MTA Chairman Janno Lieber called mass transit 'the antidote to climate change.' The rollout, however, is slow. High electricity costs and limited charging infrastructure stall progress. New York State has budgeted $1.1 billion for 500 electric buses in its 2020-2024 capital plan. The MTA aims for a zero-emissions fleet by 2040, but today’s step is small—just 1% of the fleet.

• MTA To Add 60 Electric Buses by Year’s End (That’s 1% of the Entire Fleet), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-22

City will shift Q60 buses to a mainline lane on Queens Boulevard. New bus lanes, bike upgrades, and a linear park are coming. Officials say it will speed buses and protect walkers and cyclists. But construction lags. Riders and residents wait. Danger persists.

On April 22, 2022, the NYC Department of Transportation announced a plan to move Q60 buses from the service road to a dedicated mainline lane along Queens Boulevard, between Roosevelt Avenue and Union Turnpike. The project, under the 'Great Streets' program, is split into four phases, with construction for later phases delayed until at least 2024. The matter summary states: 'transform the currently barren median into a linear park to create a safe and easy way of traversing neighborhoods.' Queens Borough President Donovan Richards pledged $1 million to the first phase, stating, 'it really creates an unsafe scenario, especially for pedestrians and cyclists.' DOT spokesman Vin Barone said the redesign 'greatly improv[es] pedestrian safety while also drawing a huge number of new cyclists.' Laura Shepard of Transportation Alternatives called the delays 'unacceptable.' The plan includes upgraded bike lanes, bus stops, and bus-only lanes, but also adds curbside parking, which could increase congestion. Vulnerable road users remain at risk until the city acts.

• WAIT FOR IT: City To Move Buses To Dedicated Lane on Queens Boulevard — Eventually, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-22

Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers sped through school zones 17 times in 11 months. She racked up 22 speed violations and one red light ticket. Her district sees high rates of pedestrian deaths. She pledges to do better. Tickets paid. No license impact.

Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, chair of the NYC Council's Transportation Committee, was cited for speeding in school zones 17 times in less than a year. The violations occurred between May 2020 and April 2022. Brooks-Powers represents Southeast Queens, an area plagued by pedestrian and motorist fatalities. The matter surfaced in April 2022, with Brooks-Powers admitting responsibility for most tickets. She stated, 'public safety is very important to me,' and pledged to improve. Under the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program, she must complete a safety course or risk car impoundment. Her tickets have been paid, so her car was not towed. Camera tickets do not affect her license. Brooks-Powers says she is working with advocates to address traffic violence and congestion, but her record highlights the ongoing danger for vulnerable road users in her district.

• EXCLUSIVE: Council’s Transportation Chair’s Car Sped Through School Zones 17 Times in a Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-13

City Council pushes Mayor Adams for $3.1 billion more for the Streets Master Plan. They want double the protected lanes and more pedestrian space. Advocates cheer. The mayor reviews. The fight is over money, but the stakes are lives.

On April 4, 2022, the City Council called on Mayor Adams to add $3.1 billion to the Streets Master Plan. The plan, passed in 2019, aims for 250 protected bike lanes and 150 bus lanes. The Council wants to double these targets: 500 miles each of protected bike and bus lanes, plus 38 million square feet of new pedestrian plazas. Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers said the goal is 'to make our thoroughfares safer and more accessible, while increasing New York's pedestrian plazas footprint.' The Council’s proposal comes as the mayor’s $98.5-billion budget lacks dedicated funding for these safety upgrades. Advocates for bus and bike infrastructure support the Council’s push. The mayor says he is reviewing the proposal and remains committed to street safety and transit improvements.

• Council to Mayor: Put a Lot More Money into the Streets Master Plan!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-04

MTA unveils a new Queens bus plan. More routes, fewer stops. Faster trips promised. Community voices shape the draft. Officials urge more input, more funding. Advocates demand equity. The redesign aims to fix old mistakes and speed up service for all.

""So, yeah, I'm here as a salesperson to say, 'Let's get this done.' Of course, there's a lot more community input, but there's no such thing as a perfect plan and we should not let perfect be the enemy of good as well."" -- Donovan J. Richards

On March 30, 2022, the MTA released a second draft of its Queens bus network redesign. The plan, not tied to a bill number, is a policy proposal under review. It follows backlash to the 2019 draft and pandemic delays. The redesign boosts routes from 77 to 85, adds 20 new lines, and drops the revenue-neutral rule. Hundreds of stops will be cut to speed service. The MTA and NYC DOT picked 49 corridors for upgrades like bus lanes. The official summary states the plan 'incorporates feedback from over 11,000 customer comments and aims to address previous criticisms.' MTA Chair Janno Lieber said, 'We know we need to get it right this time.' Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and advocates like Riders Alliance back the effort but call for more equity and engagement. The plan’s impact on vulnerable road users is not yet assessed.

• Chastened MTA Tries to Redesign the Queens Bus Network, Again, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-30

Queens residents and officials clashed over 14 transit plans for LaGuardia. Subway, bus, light rail, and ferry all on the table. Council Member Larinda Hooks backed the AirTrain and ferry. No decision. The city waits. Danger and delay remain.

"The only one that makes sense is the train from 30th street straight from LaGuardia. You want to get to LaGuardia fast. We wouldn’t be here if the buses worked. Chicago has it, why can’t we have it?" -- Khaleel Anderson

On March 27, 2022, a public consultation in Queens reviewed 14 alternatives for LaGuardia Airport transit access. The session followed Governor Hochul’s cancellation of the Willets Point AirTrain. The event, covered by the media and led by a panel including Janette Sadik-Khan, drew strong opinions. The matter summary: 'In Astoria, Queens, 14 possible transit options for connecting to LaGuardia Airport were presented at a public comment session.' Council Member Larinda Hooks (District 35) voiced support for the original AirTrain, ferry service, and other mass transit options, but opposed removing parking or traffic lanes. Hooks said, 'The original plan is still the best plan... It doesn’t go near anybody’s house.' The process continues. No final plan. Vulnerable road users still face risk as traffic and confusion persist.

• In Queens, everything is on the table for Hochul’s LaGuardia connection, gothamist.com, Published 2022-03-27

A 49-year-old male driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries in a crash on Van Wyck Expressway. The SUV struck another vehicle with its right front bumper. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, a 49-year-old male driver in a 2020 Toyota SUV was injured in a collision on Van Wyck Expressway. The crash involved the SUV's right front bumper striking another vehicle. The driver sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was conscious at the scene. The report lists "Unsafe Lane Changing" as a contributing factor to the crash. The driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4513390 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Council passed a law forcing DOT to install stop signs or signals at every school intersection by 2024. Lawmakers slam DOT for slow action and hiding behind federal rules. Families wait. Streets stay dangerous. Children cross. Cars speed by.

Bill introduced by Council Member Inez Barron in 2018 requires the Department of Transportation to install traffic control devices at every intersection next to a school by September 30, 2024. The law passed the City Council, but implementation drags. The matter summary: 'It requires the city to make sure that every intersection on a block where there is a school, has a traffic sign or a stop signal.' Council Members Justin Brannan and Bob Holden, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, all criticized DOT’s slow pace and reliance on federal MUTCD guidelines. Community Board 14 in Brooklyn faced years of denials before a stop sign appeared. DOT promises compliance, but critics say the agency only acts after tragedy. The law aims to protect children, but bureaucratic inertia keeps danger in the crosswalk.

• New Law May Make School Zones Safer — But Why Does DOT Act So Slowly, Pols Ask, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-16

Council passed a law forcing DOT to install stop signs or signals at every school intersection. Pols slammed DOT for dragging its feet and hiding behind federal rules. Parents and boards want action, not excuses. Kids cross streets. Cars kill.

""What I've learned is that even when they deny you, keep coming back."" -- Donovan J. Richards

On March 16, 2022, the City Council passed a school zone traffic safety law. The bill, introduced by Inez Barron, requires the Department of Transportation to install traffic control devices at every intersection next to a school by September 30, 2024. Council Member Justin Brannan, representing District 47, called the law a 'no-brainer,' saying, 'Some of our biggest victories have been getting a traffic signal installed near a busy intersection near a school – that shouldn't be some huge colossal victory.' The law aims to bypass restrictive federal guidelines that block safety fixes. Council members and residents blasted DOT for slow, arbitrary action and years of denied requests, sometimes only reversed after tragedy. The Adams administration promises to redesign 1,000 more intersections, but families and advocates demand faster, decisive protection for children.

• New Law May Make School Zones Safer — But Why Does DOT Act So Slowly, Pols Ask, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-03-16

SUV hit a sedan making a right turn on Rockaway Boulevard. Sedan driver, 33, suffered back injuries and bruises. Both cars moved east. Impact crushed sedan’s rear. Driver stayed conscious, belted in.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old man driving a sedan was making a right turn on Rockaway Boulevard when an SUV traveling straight struck the sedan’s right rear quarter panel. The sedan driver suffered back injuries and contusions but was not ejected and remained conscious. Both drivers held valid licenses. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not cite specific driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The sedan driver wore a lap belt. The SUV’s left front bumper and the sedan’s right rear quarter panel were damaged in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4509089 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Councilmember Brooks-Powers called out deadly streets in Southeast Queens. She demanded safe roads and good transit for every neighborhood, not just the rich. She vowed to center equity, listen to the unheard, and fix danger where it hits hardest.

On March 8, 2022, Council Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers made a public statement on transportation equity. She declared, 'Equity in transportation means addressing the needs of neighborhoods that have suffered from long and dangerous commutes after decades of under-investment.' Brooks-Powers, representing Southeast Queens, highlighted high rates of pedestrian and motorist danger in her district. She pledged to shift the city's focus from transit-rich areas to those left behind, stressing the need for accessible streets, protection for children, and investment in minority and women-owned businesses. Brooks-Powers opposed enforcement-heavy approaches, promising instead to prioritize improvements and community input. Her leadership signals a push to measure DOT success by safety and access for all, especially the most vulnerable.

• Council Transportation Chair: Street Safety, Good Transit, City Funding — It’s All About Equity, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-08

Senate passed S 5130. The bill pushes complete street design. It aims for safe access for all. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at safer roads. The vote was split, but the bill moved forward.

Senate bill S 5130, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on March 2 and May 16, 2022. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Support came from members like Jeremy Cooney, Anna Kaplan, and John Liu. Dissent came from Patrick Gallivan and Susan Serino. The bill pushes cities to design roads for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It marks a shift from car-first planning. The measure aims to cut risk for people outside cars. Full vote details and text are at the New York Senate website.

• File S 5130, Open States, Published 2022-03-02

Advocates and Councilmember Restler rallied for faster buses. They called out slow speeds, illegal driving, and lack of city action. Bus riders, mostly working-class and people of color, remain stranded. City promises more bus lanes, but plans lag. Riders wait.

On February 28, 2022, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) joined transit advocates at a rally demanding urgent improvements to New York City's bus system. The event, covered by amny.com, highlighted the Bus Turnaround coalition's renewed push for dedicated busways, more bus lanes, and increased funding. Restler said, 'We need a real busway on Jay Street,' citing rampant illegal driving and slow service. The rally criticized City Hall for ambitious targets but no concrete plans. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez promised 150 new miles of bus lanes, but advocates noted delays and lack of enforcement. The recommendations aim to speed up buses for vulnerable riders—working-class, immigrant, and communities of color—who rely on slow, unreliable service. The rally underscored the urgent need for action to protect and prioritize those most at risk on city streets.

• Transit advocates call on Adams, Hochul to speed up NYC buses, amny.com, Published 2022-02-28

DOT starts to harden bike lanes, but the 100-day pledge is broken. Only 5.5 miles get upgrades now. The rest will wait until late 2023. Advocates and officials praise the move but slam the slow pace. Cyclists remain exposed.

On February 18, 2022, the Department of Transportation announced a delay in its plan to bolster protected bike lanes. The Adams administration had promised to harden 20 miles of bike lanes within its first 100 days. Now, DOT says the work will finish by the end of 2023. The first phase covers just 5.5 miles in Manhattan and Queens. DOT Commissioner Rodriguez said, “We have an actionable, concrete plan to protect cyclists and we are going to deliver on this work to keep our lanes clear.” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards praised the upgrades, calling for safe biking citywide. Community Board 3’s Michelle Kuppersmith highlighted the need for political will. Still, the delay leaves vulnerable road users at risk, as the city also postponed pedestrian space on the Queensboro Bridge. The slow rollout means danger lingers for cyclists and walkers.

• Bike Lane Bolstering Begins — But it Won’t Be Done in 100 Days, As Promised, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-18

Speed cameras do not target Black or Brown neighborhoods. City data proves it. But wide, dangerous roads run through these communities. Tickets pile up. So do injuries. Cameras catch speeders, but bad design breeds violence. Leaders demand street fixes, not just enforcement.

""Cameras don't discriminate. Either you're speeding or you're not. This data certainly proves what we've been saying all along,"" -- Donovan J. Richards

This Streetsblog NYC analysis, published February 14, 2022, reviews New York’s speed and red light camera programs. The report finds, “New York City's speed cameras are evenly distributed and not disproportionately concentrated in low-income communities of color.” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards says, “Cameras don't discriminate.” Marco Conner DiAquoi of Transportation Alternatives adds, “We don’t see any correlation between the demographics of a zip code and the number of speeding violations there.” Council Member Gale Brewer calls for more red light cameras. Wilfredo Florentino, Brooklyn Community Board 5, says, “Just placing cameras ain't gonna cut it.” The analysis shows that dangerous, wide arterials in communities of color drive up traffic violence. Advocates and officials agree: automated enforcement helps, but only street redesigns will end the bloodshed. The Department of Transportation still withholds exact camera locations.

• Analysis: New York’s Speed Cameras Aren’t Racist — But the City’s Road Design Is, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-14