No Deaths, No Excuses: Injured Lives Demand Action Now

Mar 19 - Dumbo’s speed limit drops to 20 mph. Brooklyn’s first Regional Slow Zone targets crowded streets. Ten severe injuries and one death in five years haunt the area. Council Member Restler and DOT push for slower traffic. Lives hang in the balance.

On March 19, 2025, Council Member Lincoln Restler announced the lowering of Dumbo’s speed limit to 20 mph, making it Brooklyn’s first Regional Slow Zone. The measure follows the passage of Sammy’s Law, which lets the city set its own speed limits. The Department of Transportation cited ten severe injuries and one death in Dumbo over five years. The new zone covers streets packed with pedestrians, from Furman to Navy and Hudson, and John to Sands and the BQE. Restler said, 'Data has shown that a one mile per hour increase in speed results in a nearly three percent increase in mortality.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez added, 'Lowering vehicle speed limits by even a few miles per hour could be the difference between life or death in a traffic crash.' The change will take effect after a public comment period. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso called for more slow zones in high-crash neighborhoods. The city plans to expand 20 mph limits to over 250 locations by the end of 2025.

• Speed limit in Dumbo to be lowered to 20 mph as nabe becomes Brooklyn’s first ‘Regional Slow Zone’, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2025-03-19

Mar 15 - A police cruiser swerved from a U-turning car and crashed into a building. Two officers went to the hospital. The street bore the scars. Metal, glass, brick—shattered. Sirens cut the air. The city’s danger showed, again.

ABC7 reported on March 15, 2025, that two NYPD officers crashed their cruiser into a building at Victory Boulevard and Montgomery Street in Staten Island. The officers were responding to a call about a man with a gun. According to the article, 'another vehicle attempted to make a U-turn, causing the police cruiser to swerve to avoid a collision.' Both officers were hospitalized and are expected to recover. The crash highlights the risks of sudden maneuvers and U-turns on busy city streets. No bystanders were reported injured. The incident underscores the persistent dangers posed by unpredictable driver actions and the high stakes of emergency response in dense urban environments.

• Police Cruiser Slams Into Staten Island Building, ABC7, Published 2025-03-15

Mar 14 - A 25-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash in a late-night crash on Victory Boulevard. The SUV's left front bumper was damaged after reacting to an uninvolved vehicle. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 23:49 on Victory Boulevard in Staten Island. The driver, a 25-year-old male occupant of a 2016 Ford SUV, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash. The report cites 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as the contributing factor, indicating the driver’s error in responding to another vehicle not involved in the collision. The SUV sustained damage to its left front bumper. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness, and was not ejected from the vehicle. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799276 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 14 - DOT admits failure. City missed legal targets for bus and bike lanes. Adams’s interference and staff cuts left streets unchanged. Pedestrians and cyclists pay the price. The mayor’s words and actions stalled safety. The law sits ignored. Danger remains.

"Pearlstein said that the mayor has spent four years coming up with various reasons not to do one project after another when he should have been supporting his agency in the face of expected opposition. As a result, it's difficult to give Hizzoner a pass for falling short." -- Charles Fall

On March 14, 2025, the Department of Transportation released its annual report on the 2019 Streets Master Plan law. The report, required by the City Council, reveals the city missed mandates for protected bike lanes (29.3 of 50 miles) and bus lanes (17.9 of 30 miles) for the third year running. The matter summary states: 'New York City has failed to meet legally required benchmarks for redesigning streets for bikes, buses, and pedestrians due to a lack of resources and political interference.' Mayor Eric Adams is named as the main obstacle. The report cites staff shortages, shrinking divisions, and political pushback—especially the mayor’s role in killing the Fordham Road busway. Former DOT commissioner Polly Trottenberg warned the plan needed more funding and a new approach. Advocates and officials say Adams’s lack of support left the city’s most vulnerable road users exposed. The law’s promise is broken. The streets stay deadly.

• DOT Report Reveals How Eric Adams Kneecapped Progress on Bus and Bike Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-14

Mar 12 - Lawmakers push new taxes to plug the MTA’s $35 billion gap. Riders face higher costs for packages and rideshares. The capital plan hangs in limbo. Transit leaders warn: without cash, the system crumbles. Riders and advocates rage at more fees.

On March 12, 2025, New York State lawmakers unveiled a budget proposal to fund the MTA’s 2025-2029 capital plan, which faces a $35 billion shortfall. The plan, discussed in both Senate and Assembly one-house budgets, suggests new taxes: fees on online deliveries, higher payroll mobility taxes, and more surcharges on rideshare trips. The matter summary reads: 'Taxes to back the MTA? That is what some New York lawmakers are proposing.' Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins is mentioned as a key figure. Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie previously rejected the MTA’s $68.4 billion plan last December over funding gaps. The proposal has sparked public anger, with advocates and riders decrying more taxes. MTA chair Janno Lieber insists full funding is essential to keep trains and buses running safely. The bill’s safety impact for vulnerable road users is not assessed.

• NYS proposes more taxes on New Yorkers to fund the MTA, amny.com, Published 2025-03-12

Mar 10 - An e-scooter driver on Richmond Terrace suffered facial injuries after a collision caused by improper passing or lane usage. The 61-year-old man was ejected and sustained bruises. The crash highlights dangerous driver errors on Staten Island streets.

According to the police report, a 61-year-old male e-scooter driver was injured in a crash on Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, at 6:33 a.m. The report states the driver was ejected and suffered contusions and bruises to the face. The primary contributing factor cited is "Passing or Lane Usage Improper," indicating a driver error involving unsafe maneuvering or lane violation. The vehicle, an e-scooter traveling east and going straight ahead, sustained damage to the center front end. The driver was licensed in New Jersey and was the sole occupant. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. This crash underscores the systemic dangers posed by improper lane usage and passing maneuvers involving vulnerable road users like e-scooter riders.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797839 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 4 - Weigh-in-motion sensors slashed overweight truck crossings on the BQE by 60%. Councilmember Lincoln Restler backs the tech and calls for state lawmakers to extend the program. The city wants expansion before the enabling law expires. DOT hails the results.

On March 4, 2025, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) urged state lawmakers to extend the weigh-in-motion truck enforcement program on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). The program, launched in fall 2023, uses sensors to detect overweight trucks and issue $650 fines. According to the city, overweight truck crossings on the Queens-bound BQE dropped from 7,920 daily to about 3,041 per month—a 60% reduction. The sensors are set to expand to the Staten Island-bound side this year. Restler said, "Weigh-in-Motion technology has successfully eliminated 60% of the overweight truck traffic on the Queens bound BQE." The Department of Transportation and Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez praised the program's impact and called it a potential national model. With the authorizing law set to expire, city officials are pressing Albany to extend and expand the program.

• Weigh-in-motion tech has cut overweight trucks on BQE by 60%, city says, urging state to extend program, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2025-03-04

Mar 4 - Weigh-in-motion sensors slashed overweight trucks on the BQE by 60%. City officials want Albany to extend the program. Councilmember Restler and DOT Commissioner Rodriguez call for more enforcement. The tech fines violators, cuts danger, and protects crumbling roads.

On March 4, 2025, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) and DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez urged state lawmakers to extend and expand the weigh-in-motion truck enforcement program on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). The program, launched in fall 2023, uses sensors to detect overweight trucks and issue $650 fines. According to the city, 'Weigh-in-Motion technology has successfully eliminated 60% of the overweight truck traffic on the Queens bound BQE.' Restler said he hopes for similar results on the Staten Island-bound lanes. The bill authorizing the program is set to expire, prompting calls for urgent legislative action. Rodriguez called the technology a 'national model.' Lawmakers want to expand the system to other sites, including the Washington Bridge. The crackdown aims to reduce illegal truck loads, which threaten road safety and infrastructure.

• Weigh-in-motion tech has cut overweight trucks on BQE by 60%, city says, urging state to extend program, amny.com, Published 2025-03-04

Feb 28 - Vanderbilt Avenue’s open street shrinks. Organizers slash car-free days to Saturdays only, May through September. City funding falls short. Community leaders call the cuts a blow to safety, commerce, and public space. Cars reclaim ground. Pedestrians and cyclists lose out.

On February 28, 2025, organizers announced another reduction to the Vanderbilt Avenue Open Street program. The change, reported by Streetsblog NYC, limits car-free hours to Saturdays only from May to September—a 50 percent cut from last year’s already reduced schedule. The program, once a weekend staple from spring to fall, now faces its smallest footprint yet. Alex Morano, a volunteer organizer, called the rollback 'really unfortunate,' stressing the street’s value to the neighborhood. Saskia Haegens, Chair of the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Corporation, urged full city funding, saying the program is 'transformative.' Organizers blame insufficient city support, with less than half the cost covered this year. The Department of Transportation claims $10 million in annual support and promises a permanent redesign, but for now, cars win back space. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, families—lose a vital refuge.

• Vanderbilt Ave. Open Street Trims Hours For Second Straight Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-28

Feb 24 - The U.S. DOT erased its Complete Streets page days after Trump took office. The page held decades of safety guides for bike lanes and sidewalks. Its loss leaves local officials stranded. Advocates say the purge makes streets deadlier for those on foot or bike.

On February 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation removed the Complete Streets webpage, a federal resource for safer street design. The action followed President Trump’s inauguration. The page, described as 'not political but focused on safety and access for all road users,' offered technical guides for bike lanes and sidewalks. Its deletion, reported by Streetsblog NYC, is seen as part of a broader purge of diversity and environmental initiatives. Heidi Simon, a leading advocate, said, 'It's disheartening to know that there are people in the trenches at the local and state level who relied on these resources to get their jobs done, and their jobs just got made harder.' The loss scatters vital research, making it harder for cities—especially smaller ones—to build safer streets. No federal official commented on the removal.

• ‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Falls Prey To Trump Purge, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-24

Feb 23 - A 61-year-old woman driving a sedan on Daniel Low Terrace suffered an elbow injury after a front-end collision. According to the police report, driver inattention caused the crash. The driver was incoherent but not ejected, wearing a lap belt.

According to the police report, a 61-year-old female driver traveling northbound on Daniel Low Terrace in Staten Island was involved in a collision at 17:22. The vehicle, a 2022 Honda sedan, sustained center front-end damage. The driver was the sole occupant and was wearing a lap belt. She suffered an injury to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity level 3, and was incoherent at the scene. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor, explicitly pointing to driver error. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The driver was not ejected from the vehicle and did not report visible complaints. This crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to self-injury in single-vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794724 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 20 - Gov. Hochul faces pressure to let New York City charge for residential street parking. The plan targets illegal registrations, raises MTA funds, and could cut traffic. Critics say current rules reward fraud and endanger cyclists. Reform means fewer cars, safer streets.

On February 20, 2025, an editorial published by Streetsblog NYC called for Governor Hochul and state leaders to grant New York City the authority to create citywide, resident-only parking zones. The piece, titled 'Gov. Hochul Could Transform Our City with Parking Reform,' argues, 'With permission from the state, New York City could enact a citywide, resident-only parking system. Non-residents needn’t be banned from parking here, just charged for it, with the money going to the MTA.' The editorial highlights rampant illegal vehicle registrations and the dangers they pose, including uninsured cars and increased risk for cyclists. The proposal urges charging both residents and visitors for parking, with higher rates in dense, wealthy areas. The plan aims to reduce congestion, generate MTA revenue, and reclaim curb space for safer uses. No council member is directly named, as this is an opinion piece, but the call is clear: state action is needed to protect vulnerable road users and restore trust in public space management.

• Gov. Hochul Could Transform Our City with Parking Reform, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-20

Feb 18 - Two sedans collided on Brighton Avenue in Staten Island. The rear passenger in the struck vehicle suffered a back injury. The crash resulted from driver inattention, causing impact to the center back end of one sedan and the center front end of the other.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:40 on Brighton Avenue in Staten Island involving two sedans traveling eastbound. The collision was a rear-end impact, with the striking vehicle hitting the center back end of the leading sedan. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. A 34-year-old female occupant seated in the right rear passenger position of the struck vehicle sustained a back injury classified as severity level 3. She was conscious, not ejected, and restrained with a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles straight ahead at the time of impact. The evidence points to driver error in maintaining attention, leading to the collision and injury to the passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793512 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 13 - MTA’s bus-mounted cameras caught over 400,000 drivers blocking bus stops in five months. Tickets soared. Bus speeds rose. Crashes fell. Cameras now outpace NYPD enforcement. Repeat offenders dodge deterrence. Advocates push for tougher penalties. Streets clear, but danger lingers.

On February 13, 2025, the MTA reported results from its Automated Camera Enforcement (ACE) expansion, which began in August 2024. The program, described as 'bus-mounted camera tickets to drivers who double-park along bus routes or park in bus stops,' has issued over 400,000 tickets in five months. The ACE system grew from 623 buses on 14 routes to 1,000 buses on 34 routes by November. MTA spokesperson Laura Cala-Rauch said the program 'is having a big impact on speeding buses and improving the quality of life for New Yorkers.' Data from Jehiah Czebotar shows cameras now issue 76.4% of bus lane and stop tickets—93% by December. Bus speeds rose 5%, crashes involving buses dropped 20%, and emissions fell up to 10%. Persistent violators remain, with some drivers racking up five tickets. Riders Alliance’s Danny Pearlstein called for escalating fines and legislative changes to target repeat offenders. The ACE program marks a shift toward automated, consistent enforcement, but loopholes for chronic blockers persist.

• ACE In The Hole: MTA’s Bus-Mounted Cameras Nab Over 400K Bus Stop Blockers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-13

Feb 13 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

Feb 12 - Council Member Carmen De La Rosa’s bill, Intro 1050, would gut injury insurance for taxi and app drivers. Victims of traffic violence would face crushing medical bills. Survivors, like Lauren Pine, say $50,000 coverage vanishes in days. Council hears pleas to reject the cut.

Intro 1050, introduced by Council Member Carmen De La Rosa (D-Inwood), is under City Council review. The bill would cut the required minimum personal injury protection insurance for yellow cabs, liveries, and app-based drivers from $200,000 to $50,000. At a recent hearing, Lauren Pine, a nurse and crash survivor, testified: 'The minimum $50,000 no fault insurance was exhausted within the first week or so of my hospitalization.' Pine urged the Council to oppose the bill, warning that victims of traffic violence would be left financially devastated. Transportation Alternatives’ Ben Furnas also opposed the bill, stating, 'This legislation will ultimately make it more expensive and difficult to access care, treatment, and support after a traffic crash.' The bill is generating support among some council members, but advocates and survivors demand the Council maintain current coverage to protect crash victims.

• Opinion: Weakening Injury Insurance Coverage for Cabbies Will Harm Victims of Road Violence, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-12

Feb 7 - Bus speeds crawl. Promised bus lanes never come. Mayor Adams broke his pledge. The city built just 9.6 miles in two years. Riders wait. DOT blames funding. Council law ignored. Streets stay deadly. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

This report, released February 7, 2025, by the Independent Budget Office, exposes the city’s failure to meet the Streets Master Plan law (passed in 2019) mandating 150 miles of new bus lanes. The IBO states: 'It will be virtually impossible for the city to meet the City Council's required 150 miles of new bus lanes at the pace Mayor Adams is going.' Mayor Adams, who took office in 2022, has slowed or killed key bus projects, including the Fordham Road busway. DOT spokesperson Mona Bruno claims the agency is building protected lanes and using cameras for enforcement, but admits resources are tight. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams has called for compliance but not funded it. Riders Alliance spokesman Danny Pearlstein blames hiring freezes and political interference for 'broken promises and neglected legislation.' The report shows that while DOT’s budget grew, staffing for bus lane expansion fell. Bus speeds remain stuck at 8.1 mph. The city’s inaction leaves millions of bus riders—often the city’s most vulnerable—stranded and exposed.

• Report: Efforts to Speed Up Bus Speeds Have Stalled … Like Bus Speeds, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-07

Jan 27 - Council watered down the City of Yes plan. Parking mandates remain in many areas. Housing stays costly. Streets stay carved for cars. Vulnerable road users get no relief. The fight over parking and safety continues. No victory for people on foot or bike.

This opinion piece, published January 27, 2025, criticizes the City Council's compromise on the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity (COYHO) zoning amendments. The Council, after pressure from housing opponents, reinstated parking requirements in many transit-served neighborhoods, despite the City Planning Commission's push to eliminate them citywide. The matter, as described, states: 'Anyone not supporting the elimination of parking mandates is only perpetuating our city's housing crisis.' Planning expert Eric Kober, the author, argues the Council's move blocks housing growth and contradicts city policies to reduce car use. Council members' actions—passing a diluted version of COYHO—leave vulnerable road users exposed. The compromise preserves car dominance, keeps streets dangerous, and stalls progress for safer, people-first neighborhoods.

• OPINION: Candidates Must Pledge to Strengthen ‘City of Yes’ to End Parking Mandates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-27

Jan 27 - A boy walked a rural Georgia highway. He made it home safe. Police arrested his mother. The road lacked sidewalks. Drivers sped by. The system blamed the parent, not the dangerous street. Advocates call for safer roads, not more punishment.

On January 27, 2025, media reported the arrest of Brittany Patterson after her 10-year-old son walked alone along Mineral Bluff Highway, Georgia. The case is not a council bill, but a flashpoint in the debate over child independence and pedestrian safety. Prosecutor Emma Harper said the arrest was due to the boy walking on 'a busy highway with no sidewalk.' The matter highlights how parents, not road designers or drivers, face consequences when children navigate unsafe streets. Advocates, including Lenore Skenazy and attorney David DeLugas, condemned the criminalization of parents and called for accountability in road design. Streets like Mineral Bluff Highway, with high speeds and no sidewalks, endanger all pedestrians. The story underscores a systemic failure: dangerous roads persist, while parents and children bear the risk and blame.

• A Child Went For a Walk on a Rural Highway Alone. His Mom Got Arrested For It., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-27

Jan 23 - Council wants every cyclist in New York to wear a helmet. No helmet, pay a $50 fine. The bill targets riders not already covered by other laws. Debate now sits with the transportation committee.

Bill Int 1173-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced January 23, 2025. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The measure would fine cyclists up to $50 for riding without a helmet, unless already required by other laws. The bill awaits further action in committee.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23