Who Will Die Next on Staten Island’s Deadliest Streets?

Jun 3 - Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

May 24 - Two sedans collided eastbound on Staten Island Expressway. Driver distraction caused the crash. A 50-year-old woman in the back seat suffered neck bruises. Rear impact. No victim errors listed.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling eastbound on Staten Island Expressway collided when one struck the rear of the other at 7:30 p.m. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the cause. The lead sedan was hit in the center back end; the striking sedan took damage to its front. A 50-year-old female passenger in the right rear seat of the lead vehicle was injured, sustaining neck contusions and bruises. She wore a lap belt and was not ejected. No errors are attributed to the injured passenger. The crash underscores the risk posed by distracted drivers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727473 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 22 - A northbound SUV struck the rear of a sedan stopped in traffic on Targee Street. The sedan’s driver, a 32-year-old man, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited driver inattention as the cause of the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:10 on Targee Street in Staten Island. A 2024 Mazda SUV was stopped in traffic when it rear-ended a 2015 Hyundai sedan traveling north. The sedan’s driver, a 32-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, was injured with neck pain and experienced shock. The police report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor to the crash. The SUV’s point of impact was the center back end, while the sedan sustained damage to its center front end. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726867 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 16 - Council moves to light up step streets. At least 25 stairways each year will get new lamps. Dark paths become visible. Pedestrians gain ground. Shadows shrink. Danger loses its cover.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 16, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola, joined by sixteen co-sponsors, pushes for at least 25 step streets to be lit each year until all are covered. Step streets are open-air staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to strip darkness from these paths, making them safer for people on foot. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0875-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

May 16 - Council bill targets repeat pedal-assist bike violators. Three strikes trigger a mandatory safety course. Ignore the course, lose your bike. DOT will track results. Three-year pilot. Enforcement, not education, leads.

Int 0874-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced May 16, 2024, by Council Members Ariola (primary), Hanks, Hudson, Louis, Mealy, and Banks, the bill orders DOT to launch a pilot abatement program for unsafe pedal-assist bicycle operators. The bill summary states: 'Pedal-assist bicycle operators who accrue 3 or more moving violations under city law would be required to take a safe pedal-assist bicycle operation course offered by DOT.' Noncompliance means bike impoundment. DOT must report on course completions, impounds, and program effectiveness. The pilot sunsets after three years. The bill aims to curb reckless riding through strict enforcement.

• File Int 0874-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

May 2 - Senate bill S 9162 aims to kill congestion pricing, shake up the MTA board, and order a forensic audit. Streets stay clogged. Riders and walkers face more danger. Sponsor: Jessica Scarcella-Spanton.

Senate bill S 9162 was introduced on May 2, 2024, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill's title: 'Relates to repealing congestion pricing (Part A); commissioning an independent audit of the metropolitan transportation authority (Part B); and conducting an environmental impact study (Part C).' Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (District 23) is the primary sponsor. The bill would repeal congestion pricing, expand the MTA board, and require a forensic audit. No safety analysis was provided, but repealing congestion pricing keeps traffic thick and streets hostile for New York’s most vulnerable.

• File S 9162, Open States, Published 2024-05-02

May 1 - SUV making U-turn struck sedan on Park Hill Avenue. Two women in SUV suffered back bruises. Police cite driver distraction as cause. System failed to protect against inattention.

According to the police report, a 2014 Acura SUV making a U-turn on Park Hill Avenue in Staten Island collided with a westbound 2021 Nissan sedan. The SUV's right front quarter panel hit the sedan's center front end. Both women in the SUV, ages 31 and 34, suffered back contusions. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both occupants. No victim actions contributed. This crash shows the danger when drivers lose focus during complex maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721548 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 24 - Assembly bill A 9877 seeks to kill congestion pricing. Sponsors want more MTA board seats and a forensic audit. No mention of safety for people on foot or bike. The car threat grows unchecked.

Assembly bill A 9877 was introduced on April 24, 2024. It sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill aims to repeal congestion pricing, add a new MTA board seat for each city borough, and force a forensic audit of the MTA. The matter title reads: 'Relates to repealing congestion pricing (Part A); commissioning an independent audit of the metropolitan transportation authority (Part B); and conducting an environmental impact study (Part C).' Assembly Members Michael Tannousis (primary), Mike Reilly, Samuel Pirozzolo, Michael Novakhov, Lester Chang, and Alec Brook-Krasny sponsor the bill. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided. The bill ignores the deadly risk cars pose to New Yorkers outside vehicles.

• File A 9877, Open States, Published 2024-04-24

Apr 18 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Mar 27 - 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 2024-03-27

Mar 20 - A 62-year-old woman driving a 2014 Jeep SUV on Virginia Avenue collided with a northbound motorcycle. The SUV struck the motorcycle on its left side doors, injuring the driver with abdominal and pelvic contusions. Improper lane usage caused the crash.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Virginia Avenue in Staten Island involving a 2014 Jeep SUV and a motorcycle traveling north. The SUV driver, a 62-year-old woman, was injured with contusions to her abdomen and pelvis but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The point of impact was the left side doors of the SUV and the center front end of the motorcycle. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors, indicating driver error on the part of the SUV operator. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report. The crash highlights dangers from improper lane changes and passing maneuvers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4711204 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 20 - 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 2024-03-20

Mar 17 - A 16-year-old girl suffered a concussion and full-body injuries after being hit by an SUV traveling east on Hylan Boulevard. The driver’s unsafe speed and inattention caused the collision while the pedestrian crossed outside a crosswalk.

According to the police report, a 16-year-old female pedestrian was injured on Hylan Boulevard at 13:32. She was crossing without a signal or crosswalk when a 2011 Ford SUV, driven by a licensed male driver traveling east and going straight ahead, struck her with the vehicle’s center front end. The pedestrian was semiconscious with injuries to her entire body, including a concussion. The report cites the driver’s unsafe speed and inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian’s crossing location was noted but not listed as a contributing factor. Vehicle damage was confined to the center front end, confirming the point of impact. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as speeding and distraction in areas where pedestrians are present.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710776 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 13 - Two sedans collided on Bay Street, Staten Island, when one driver failed to maintain attention. The rear vehicle struck the front one, injuring the front driver with neck trauma. Both vehicles sustained front and rear damage respectively.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:45 on Bay Street, Staten Island, involving two sedans traveling in opposite directions. The driver of the rear vehicle was inattentive, contributing to the collision. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a primary factor. The front vehicle was struck at the center front end, while the rear vehicle sustained center back end damage. The front driver, a 43-year-old male occupant, suffered a neck injury described as whiplash and was conscious at the scene. No ejections occurred, and the injured driver was not using any safety equipment. The report does not cite any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to rear-end collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709273 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 7 - Council wants every e-bike and scooter tagged and tracked. Plates on wheels. Riders face new rules. Lawmakers say it’s about order. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait.

Int 0606-2024 was introduced on March 7, 2024, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring that every bicycle with electric assist, electric scooter and other legal motorized vehicle be licensed and registered," would force all e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles not covered by DMV rules to register with DOT and display visible plates. Council Member Inna Vernikov is the primary sponsor, joined by 26 co-sponsors including Holden, Farías, Riley, and others. The bill was laid over in committee and has not advanced. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• File Int 0606-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Feb 28 - Council wants 500 solar-lit crosswalks in five years. Bright signals cut through the dark. The bill demands action and a study. Safety for walkers, not drivers. No more hiding in the shadows.

Int 0301-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to install at least 100 illuminated, solar-powered traffic control devices at crosswalks each year for five years. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law...in relation to the installation of solar-powered crosswalks.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by Menin, Brooks-Powers, Rivera, and others. The bill also requires a study comparing these devices to standard signs. The city must report findings within two years. The goal: more visible crossings, fewer deadly impacts.

• File Int 0301-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council moves to form a board on school crossing guard deployment. NYPD, DOT, and DOE must report twice a year. The aim: more eyes on street danger where kids cross.

Bill Int 0448-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to an advisory board on crossing guard deployment," calls for NYPD, DOT, and DOE to join an advisory board. The board must send biannual reports on crossing guard needs to the Mayor, Council Speaker, and Police Commissioner. Council Member Kamillah Hanks leads as primary sponsor, joined by Stevens, Schulman, Salaam, and others. The Bronx Borough President requested the bill. The board’s reports could spotlight gaps and push for better protection at dangerous crossings.

• File Int 0448-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council eyes bigger NYPD tow pounds. Bill demands enough space to haul away law-breaking cars. Public reports would track towing. Committee shelves action. Streets wait.

Int 0179-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, would require the NYPD to run tow pounds with enough capacity to deter illegal driving. The bill, introduced February 28, 2024, and discussed again on April 28, 2025, reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to police department tow pound capacity.' Council Member Kamillah Hanks led as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Farías, Narcisse, Restler, Hudson, Louis, and Holden. The bill also calls for public reports on towing operations. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users.

• File Int 0179-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 19 - A sedan lost control on Front Street, Staten Island. The car hit a parked vehicle. The driver, age 23, suffered shock and injuries. Slippery pavement played a role. No other people were hurt.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male driving a 2018 Chevrolet sedan north on Front Street, Staten Island, lost control and struck the center back end of a parked car at 3:10 AM. The report lists 'Pavement Slippery' as the contributing factor. The driver was not ejected and wore a lap belt and harness. He suffered shock and unspecified injuries. No other people were involved or hurt. The crash highlights the danger of slippery road conditions leading to loss of control.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703880 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 6 - State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and others joined a lawsuit to block New York’s congestion pricing. The editorial rails against tolls, calling them a blow to working New Yorkers. No mention of pedestrian or cyclist safety. The fight centers on driver costs.

On February 6, 2024, an editorial titled 'Time for insane NYC congestion pricing plan to hit the road' opposed the city’s congestion pricing scheme. State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-23) joined 17 other lawmakers in a lawsuit against the plan, which would charge drivers entering Midtown Manhattan. The editorial claims, 'solving [MTA fiscal problems] by punishing average New Yorkers simply for driving is insane,' and highlights concerns over economic burden. The piece quotes union leaders and lawmakers, including Scarcella-Spanton, City Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli, and US Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, all opposing the tolls. There is no assessment of the impact on vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, or transit riders. The focus remains on driver expenses and political backlash.

• Time for insane NYC congestion pricing plan to hit the road, nypost.com, Published 2024-02-06