Mar 21 - Albany faces a $33.4-billion MTA gap. The Citizens Budget Commission urges deep cuts, fare hikes, and more city and state cash. Expansion projects like the Interborough Express may die. Riders risk worse service if lawmakers stall. The clock ticks.

On March 21, 2025, the Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) released a warning about the MTA’s $33.4-billion capital budget gap for 2025–2029. The CBC recommends slashing $17 billion, scrapping expansion plans like the Interborough Express, and boosting city and state contributions by $9 billion. The CBC calls for a 6 percent hike in fares, tolls, and vehicle fees—higher than the planned 4 percent. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said tax hikes are on the table. Governor Hochul’s office backs a payroll tax hike, but the CBC wants it regionalized. The CBC’s Andrew Rein said, “We have to prioritize state-of-good-repair, basic modernization, and delay some of the system expansions.” The report warns that failing to fund maintenance will gut service, repeating past crises. No direct safety analysis was provided, but cuts threaten transit reliability for millions.

• Albany Running Out of Options to Close MTA Funding Gap: Watchdog, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-21

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 17 - A 52-year-old woman suffered severe leg injuries while crossing Forest Ave with the signal. A sedan making a left turn struck her, causing fractures and dislocations. The driver’s actions led to the crash, with no reported vehicle damage.

According to the police report, a 52-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Forest Ave and Summerfield Pl at 8:58 AM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2018 Mitsubishi sedan, driven by a licensed female driver, was making a left turn. The report notes the pedestrian sustained fractures, dislocations, and severe injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan showed no damage and the point of impact was recorded as 'No Damage,' indicating the collision's nature. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but highlights the driver’s maneuver—making a left turn—as the critical action preceding the crash. No pedestrian errors or helmet use were cited. The incident underscores the dangers posed by vehicle turning movements at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799815 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 15 - A taxi struck the rear of a pick-up truck traveling southeast on Lisk Ave. Both drivers and a passenger suffered neck injuries with whiplash. The crash caused center-end damage to both vehicles. Driver errors remain unspecified in the police report.

According to the police report, at 14:08 on Lisk Ave, a taxi traveling southeast rear-ended a pick-up truck moving in the same direction. The point of impact was the center back end of the taxi and the center front end of the truck. Both vehicles sustained damage at these points. The truck had two occupants: a 56-year-old male driver and a 48-year-old female passenger, both conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses. Both suffered neck injuries diagnosed as whiplash with injury severity level 3. The taxi also had two occupants, with a licensed male driver. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction. The injuries and damage indicate a rear-end collision caused by the taxi striking the truck from behind.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799203 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 - 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 - A 19-year-old woman was struck by an eastbound SUV at an intersection while crossing with the signal. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing the collision without vehicle damage.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Forest Ave and Richmond Ave around 8:35 AM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when she was struck by a 2014 Cadillac SUV traveling eastbound. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor from the driver. The pedestrian suffered contusions and bruises to her knee and lower leg, classified as injury severity level 3. The vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian's own contributing factor was listed as 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion,' but the report emphasizes the driver's failure to yield as the critical cause. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798139 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 11 - A 26-year-old man walking off the roadway suffered knee and lower leg injuries when a vehicle struck him head-on. The crash happened at night. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. The pedestrian was left bleeding and in shock.

According to the police report, at 8:05 p.m., a vehicle traveling west struck a 26-year-old male pedestrian who was not in the roadway and not at an intersection. The point of impact was the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with minor bleeding and was in shock. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor. No other vehicle or pedestrian errors were noted. The vehicle had no occupants other than the driver, and no further details on the vehicle type or driver were provided. This crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving even when pedestrians are outside the roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798140 - 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

Mar 1 - A 26-year-old man making a left turn on Wilcox St collided with a parked sedan. The impact caused head injuries and whiplash. Driver inattention and distraction were cited as the primary contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, at 3:52 AM on Wilcox St near Bruckner Ave, a 26-year-old male driver, restrained by a lap belt, was making a left turn when his sedan struck the left front bumper of a parked sedan. The driver sustained head injuries and whiplash, resulting in shock. The report explicitly cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating the driver’s failure to maintain focus led to the collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The parked vehicle was damaged on its left front quarter panel. This incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving during maneuvers like left turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795923 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 - Two sedans collided head-on on South Ave. One vehicle was making a left turn while the other traveled straight north. A front passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash, left in shock. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:10 on South Ave involving two sedans. One sedan was traveling north going straight ahead, while the other was making a left turn. Both vehicles impacted at their center front ends, causing significant damage. A 45-year-old male front passenger in the sedan making the left turn was injured, sustaining head injuries and whiplash, and was reported to be in shock. The passenger was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not specify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The focus remains on the collision between the two vehicles and the resulting passenger injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794518 - 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 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 8 - A sedan making a U-turn struck another sedan on Richmond Ave. The front passenger suffered chest abrasions. Police cite driver inexperience and distraction as causes. Impact hit left doors. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

According to the police report, a crash occurred on Richmond Ave near Sumner Ave at 2:00 PM. A sedan making a U-turn collided with another sedan traveling straight. The impact struck the left side doors of the turning car. The front passenger, a 40-year-old woman, suffered chest abrasions and was injured. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The crash highlights the danger when drivers make errors during complex maneuvers. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791265 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18