Staten Island Streets: Blood on Their Hands, Silence from City Hall

Jun 20 - SUV veered on Richmond Road. Unsafe lane change. Unsafe speed. Driver and passenger injured. Chest and shoulder hit. Whiplash. Night air thick with sirens. Metal and flesh, shaken.

A crash on Richmond Road at Garretson Avenue in Staten Island left two people injured. According to the police report, a station wagon/SUV was involved in unsafe lane changing and unsafe speed. The driver, a 68-year-old man, and a 66-year-old front passenger suffered injuries to the shoulder, upper arm, and chest, with both reporting whiplash. The report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. Both injured occupants were using lap belts and harnesses at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821947 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-12

Jun 18 - Two cars slammed together on Cromwell Ave. One passenger, age 56, suffered neck pain and shock. Police cite failure to yield. Metal twisted. Pain followed. The street stayed dangerous.

A sedan and an SUV crashed on Cromwell Ave at Plattsburg St in Staten Island. According to the police report, a 56-year-old front passenger was injured, suffering neck pain and shock. Other occupants, including a 6-year-old boy, were involved but not seriously hurt. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the main cause. Both vehicles were going straight before impact. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report notes air bags deployed and seat belts used, but only after driver error is cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821535 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-12

Jun 18 - Congestion pricing cuts traffic jams across Manhattan and the metro. Streets clear. Delays drop. Fewer cars mean more space for people. The city breathes. Vulnerable road users gain ground. Data shows real relief, not empty promises.

On June 18, 2025, the Regional Plan Association released a report on congestion pricing’s impact. The study, covered by Barbara Russo-Lennon, found a 25% drop in Manhattan traffic jams, with smaller but real declines in the Bronx and New Jersey. The report states: 'Congestion pricing is delivering clear benefits, saving people time and the aggravation of being stuck in traffic.' Council Member Frank Morano and State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton criticized the program, citing Staten Island’s smaller gains and health concerns. MTA Chair Janno Lieber defended the policy, pointing to improved drive times and transit use. Safety analysts note congestion pricing reduces car traffic, lowers crash risk for pedestrians and cyclists, encourages mode shift, and supports safer, more equitable streets. The program’s future now rests with the federal courts.

• Real road relief: Latest congestion pricing research shows fewer traffic jams and delays across NYC metro area, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-06-18

Jun 17 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

Jun 16 - Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 16 - White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 14 - SUV lost control on slick Richmond Road. Two women and a teenage boy inside. Two injured, one in shock. Pavement slippery. Metal twisted. Sirens cut the air.

An SUV crashed on Richmond Road near Stobe Avenue in Staten Island. Two women, ages 54, and an 18-year-old male passenger were inside. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Pavement Slippery.' The SUV was making a left turn when it lost control. The driver and the rear passenger were injured and in shock. The right side of the SUV was damaged. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors beyond the slippery pavement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821138 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-12

Jun 13 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 13 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Schenectady schools. The bill passed both chambers. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program ends in 2030. Streets near schools may get safer. The vote was not unanimous.

Senate Bill S 5677, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The Senate passed it on June 12, with primary sponsor James Tedisco (District 44) and co-sponsor Patricia Fahy (District 46) leading the push. The Assembly approved it on June 13. The bill sets up automated speed enforcement near schools and sunsets December 31, 2030. The measure aims to catch speeding drivers near children. Some lawmakers voted no, but most supported the move. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets a known danger zone for vulnerable road users.

• File S 5677, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 13 - Senate and Assembly clear S 6815. MTA workers get a pass for driving in bus lanes while on duty. Law shields agency vehicles from tickets. Streets grow more crowded. Vulnerable users face more risk.

Bill S 6815, titled 'Relates to bus lane restrictions in New York city,' passed the Senate on June 12, 2025, and the Assembly on June 13, 2025. The bill states, 'it shall be a defense to any prosecution for a violation of a bus lane restriction ... when an employee of the metropolitan transportation authority is performing authorized duties.' Sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie and co-sponsored by Nathalia Fernandez, the measure exempts MTA employees from bus lane tickets while working. No safety analysis was provided. The bill opens bus lanes to more agency vehicles, crowding space meant for buses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

• File S 6815, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 12 - Senate backs S 4045. Repeat speeders face forced installation of speed assistance tech. Eleven points or six camera tickets triggers action. Law targets reckless drivers. Streets may get safer for those outside the car.

Senate bill S 4045, sponsored by Andrew Gounardes and co-sponsored by over two dozen senators, passed committee votes on June 11 and June 12, 2025. The bill, titled 'Relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits,' mandates these devices for drivers who rack up eleven or more points in 24 months, or six speed or red light camera tickets in a year. The measure aims to curb repeat dangerous driving. Senators including Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, and others voted yes. The bill targets drivers with a pattern of violations, seeking to cut risk for pedestrians and cyclists by limiting repeat speeding.

• File S 4045, Open States, Published 2025-06-12

Jun 12 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Schenectady schools. The bill passed both chambers. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program ends in 2030. Streets near schools may get safer. The vote was not unanimous.

Senate Bill S 5677, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The Senate passed it on June 12, with primary sponsor James Tedisco (District 44) and co-sponsor Patricia Fahy (District 46) leading the push. The Assembly approved it on June 13. The bill sets up automated speed enforcement near schools and sunsets December 31, 2030. The measure aims to catch speeding drivers near children. Some lawmakers voted no, but most supported the move. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets a known danger zone for vulnerable road users.

• File S 5677, Open States, Published 2025-06-12

Jun 12 - Senate and Assembly clear S 6815. MTA workers get a pass for driving in bus lanes while on duty. Law shields agency vehicles from tickets. Streets grow more crowded. Vulnerable users face more risk.

Bill S 6815, titled 'Relates to bus lane restrictions in New York city,' passed the Senate on June 12, 2025, and the Assembly on June 13, 2025. The bill states, 'it shall be a defense to any prosecution for a violation of a bus lane restriction ... when an employee of the metropolitan transportation authority is performing authorized duties.' Sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie and co-sponsored by Nathalia Fernandez, the measure exempts MTA employees from bus lane tickets while working. No safety analysis was provided. The bill opens bus lanes to more agency vehicles, crowding space meant for buses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

• File S 6815, Open States, Published 2025-06-12

Jun 11 - White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-11

Jun 11 - Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-11

Jun 10 - Senate backs S 8117. Oneida County gets school speed zone cameras. Law sunsets in 2030. Lawmakers act. Streets near schools may slow. Children walk safer. Drivers face new eyes.

Senate bill S 8117, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the county of Oneida,' passed committee votes on May 27 and June 10, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joseph A. Griffo (District 53), sets up speed cameras near schools in Oneida County. The program ends December 31, 2030. The Senate voted yes, with only two no votes and several excused. The measure aims to slow drivers near schools and protect children. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process.

• File S 8117, Open States, Published 2025-06-10

Jun 9 - Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.

• File S 915, Open States, Published 2025-06-09

Jun 4 - Two SUVs crashed on Sand Lane. One woman suffered facial injuries. Police cite unsafe speed and lane changing. Metal, glass, blood. The road did not forgive.

Two SUVs collided on Sand Lane near Cedar Avenue in Staten Island. According to the police report, a 38-year-old woman driving one SUV was injured in the face and sustained a contusion. Two men, both 67, were involved but not seriously hurt. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. Both vehicles suffered front-end damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to control speed and change lanes unsafely.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818054 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-12

Jun 3 - An e-bike hit a six-year-old boy on Targee Street. The child suffered arm injuries and whiplash. Police cited unsafe speed and aggressive driving. The crash left the boy conscious but hurt. The street saw danger. The system failed to protect him.

A six-year-old boy was injured when an e-bike struck him near 1069 Targee Street in Staten Island. According to the police report, the child suffered injuries to his arm and experienced whiplash but remained conscious. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors. The e-bike was traveling north and struck the boy with its center front end. No damage was reported to the vehicle. The police report makes clear that driver behavior—specifically unsafe speed and aggression—played a direct role in the crash. The child, a pedestrian, was left injured by these actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818055 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-12

May 27 - A sedan slammed into a parked SUV on Sand Lane. The driver fell asleep. The sedan overturned. Two men, ages 22 and 63, were hurt. Neck pain, shock, chaos. Metal twisted. The street stayed silent after the crash.

A crash on Sand Lane in Staten Island left two men injured when a sedan overturned after striking a parked SUV. According to the police report, the driver of the sedan 'fell asleep' before impact. The sedan hit the left rear quarter panel of the parked SUV and flipped. A 22-year-old man suffered shock, while a 63-year-old man reported neck pain and nausea. Both were listed as occupants and drivers in the vehicles. The police report cites 'Fell Asleep' as the contributing factor. No other errors or factors were listed. The crash highlights the danger when a driver loses control behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816049 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-12