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 2025-11-04

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 - 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 2025-11-04

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 2025-11-04

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 26 - An SUV making a left turn collided head-on with a sedan traveling straight. The sedan driver, a 39-year-old woman, suffered a head injury and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:25 on Wilcox Street near Bruckner Avenue. A 2015 SUV was making a left turn when it struck a 2022 sedan traveling westbound straight ahead. The sedan driver, a 39-year-old female occupant, sustained a head injury and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors attributed to the sedan driver. Both vehicles sustained center front end damage. The SUV driver was a licensed male from New York, and the sedan driver was a licensed female from New Jersey. The collision highlights critical driver errors involving inattention and yielding failures, with no victim fault indicated.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788490 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

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

Jan 21 - Senator Scarcella-Spanton pushes S 2622. The bill kills congestion pricing, adds an MTA board seat, and orders a forensic audit. Streets risk more cars. Riders and walkers face louder, dirtier roads.

Senate bill S 2622 was introduced on January 21, 2025, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled '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),' was sponsored by Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (District 23). The bill repeals congestion pricing, expands the MTA board, and mandates a forensic audit. No safety analyst has assessed the impact, but repealing congestion pricing means more traffic and danger for New York’s most vulnerable on the street.

• File S 2622, Open States, Published 2025-01-21

Jan 19 - A 74-year-old male SUV driver suffered serious hip and leg injuries after a crash on Richmond Terrace. The vehicle struck an object head-on. Police cite prescription medication as a contributing factor, highlighting risks from impaired driving conditions.

According to the police report, a 74-year-old male driver operating a 2010 SUV on Richmond Terrace was involved in a crash at 18:40. The vehicle, traveling north and going straight ahead, sustained center front end damage from a collision. The driver, who was the sole occupant, was injured with hip and upper leg trauma and was semiconscious at the scene. The report identifies prescription medication as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating impairment that likely affected the driver's ability to operate the vehicle safely. The driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. There is no mention of other vehicles or pedestrians involved. The crash underscores the dangers posed by impaired driving due to prescription medication, a critical factor in this incident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787035 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 17 - A sedan struck two pedestrians crossing Forest Ave with the signal. Both suffered concussions and injuries to head and hip. The driver hit the left front quarter panel. Pedestrian confusion and glare contributed, according to the police report.

At 7:30 p.m., a 2022 Honda sedan traveling north on Forest Ave struck two pedestrians at an intersection, according to the police report. The vehicle impacted the left front quarter panel and sustained damage to the left front bumper. Both pedestrians, a 30-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman, were crossing with the signal but suffered concussions and injuries to the head and hip respectively. The report cites "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" and glare as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The report does not indicate driver failure to yield but highlights pedestrian confusion and environmental glare as factors in the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786563 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 16 - A 51-year-old male bicyclist suffered a head contusion on Dixon Ave. The crash involved alcohol, according to the police report. The rider was conscious but injured, with no helmet worn and no vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a 51-year-old male bicyclist was injured on Dixon Ave while traveling south. The bicyclist, who was the sole occupant and driver of the bike, sustained a head injury classified as a contusion or bruise. The report explicitly lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor in the crash. The bicyclist was not ejected and remained conscious after the incident. The bike sustained no damage, and the point of impact was recorded as 'Other.' No helmet or other safety equipment was used by the bicyclist, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. The crash occurred while the bicyclist was going straight ahead. The data highlights the role of alcohol in this crash, emphasizing driver impairment as a critical factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787967 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 16 - Reinvent Albany blasted a bill to exempt NYPD officers from Manhattan congestion tolls. The group called it unfair, a $22 million giveaway to a powerful few. They warned it would drain funds, raise tolls, and reward special interests over public safety.

On January 16, 2025, Reinvent Albany, a good government watchdog, issued a statement opposing a bill from Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato and Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton. The bill seeks to exempt NYPD officers, even off-duty, from paying congestion pricing tolls in Manhattan’s central business district. Reinvent Albany called the measure 'contrary to notions of basic fairness' and a '$22 million handout' to a special interest. The Traffic Mobility Review Board had already rejected such exemptions. The group warned that multiple exemption bills could cost the public $100 million yearly and force higher tolls for everyone else. Neither Pheffer Amato nor Scarcella-Spanton commented. The watchdog urged lawmakers to serve the many, not the powerful few.

• Watchdog Group: No Congestion Pricing Toll Exemptions for Cops!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-16

Jan 10 - Assemblyman Ed Ra slammed Governor Hochul for touting train travel while relying on an SUV for her own trip. Critics say her actions undermine public trust and highlight the gap between officials and regular commuters. The controversy exposes hypocrisy, not safety reform.

""The average working class commuter doesn’t have the luxury of traveling with six state troopers and until confidence is restored in the safety of train, subway and bus travel, the number of riders will continue to fall."" -- Charles Fall

On January 10, 2025, Assemblyman Ed Ra (District 19) publicly criticized Governor Kathy Hochul’s transportation choices. The incident, covered by nypost.com, centers on Hochul’s photo-op promoting Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) use, while her security detail drove an SUV to pick her up at Syosset station. Ra stated, “here she is responsible for BOTH a car trip and a train ride to get to the same place.” The matter, though not a formal bill, highlights political opposition to congestion pricing and official transit promotion. Ra’s comments, echoed by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, stress the disconnect between officials’ privileges and the daily reality for vulnerable road users. No direct safety impact was assessed.

• Hochul poses for LIRR photo-op while dispatching her security detail to pick her up from station, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-10