Jul 24 - Governor Hochul’s halt on congestion pricing guts $12 billion in MTA contracts. Thousands of jobs vanish. Local companies lose out. Lawmakers in affected districts stay silent or cheer. Trains and buses face deep cuts. Riders, workers, and streets pay the price.

On July 24, 2024, Governor Hochul’s official pause on congestion pricing triggered a $12 billion loss in MTA contracts, according to a Reinvent Albany report. The move slashes funding for the 2020-24 MTA capital plan, which was to be partly paid by congestion pricing. The report highlights that many companies losing contracts are in districts represented by lawmakers who either support the pause or have stayed silent. Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick called congestion pricing 'simply another tax' and demanded repeal. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow praised the pause, saying it allows time to address 'communities' concerns.' Frank Russo, president of Ozone Park Lumber, warned, 'You can't just say, 'We're not going to buy supplies and equipment.'' Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany said, 'Congestion pricing is an economic booster.' The pause means less money for transit, fewer jobs, and more risk for vulnerable road users who rely on safe, reliable public transportation.

• Hochul’s Congestion Pricing ‘Pause’ Will Cost Area Companies Billions, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-24

Jul 15 - A motorcycle traveling west on Amboy Road lost control on slippery pavement. The rider, a 20-year-old man, sustained bruises and arm injuries. The crash caused front-end damage to the bike but did not eject the rider, who remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old male motorcycle driver was injured in a crash on Amboy Road at 8:10 AM. The motorcycle, traveling straight ahead westbound, impacted the center front end, sustaining damage there. The rider was not ejected and remained conscious, suffering contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report identifies 'Pavement Slippery' as a contributing factor, indicating hazardous road conditions played a role. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were cited. The rider was wearing a helmet at the time. This crash highlights the dangers posed by slippery pavement to motorcyclists, with the driver losing control despite being licensed and traveling straight.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740677 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 4 - A 19-year-old male driver fell asleep behind the wheel, crashing his SUV on Amboy Road. The vehicle struck an object with its right front bumper. The driver suffered facial injuries and minor bleeding, left shaken and injured in the single-vehicle crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:54 AM on Amboy Road in Staten Island. The driver, a 19-year-old male occupant of a 2021 Nissan SUV, was traveling southbound when the collision happened. The report lists 'Fell Asleep' as the contributing factor twice, indicating driver fatigue as the primary cause. The vehicle impacted with its right front bumper, sustaining damage in that area. The driver was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. He sustained facial injuries with minor bleeding and was reported to be in shock. The report explicitly attributes the crash to the driver's failure to maintain alertness, with no other contributing factors noted. There were no pedestrians or cyclists involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737835 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 6 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

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

Jun 1 - Two eastbound vehicles collided on Staten Island’s Veterans Road West. A 42-year-old male driver suffered an elbow injury and shock. Both drivers were licensed. Impact occurred at the right front bumper of a sedan and the rear center of an SUV.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:40 on Veterans Road West in Staten Island. Two vehicles—a 2019 Kia sedan and a 2022 Acura SUV—were traveling eastbound when they collided. The sedan sustained damage to its right front bumper, while the SUV’s roof was damaged at the center back end. The 42-year-old male driver of the sedan was injured, suffering an elbow-lower-arm-hand injury and was reported to be in shock. Both drivers held valid licenses. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729697 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 28 - 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 2024-05-28

May 16 - Two sedans collided on Joline Avenue in Staten Island at 7:45 p.m. A 9-year-old front passenger suffered bruises and arm injuries. The crash involved obstructed views and a left-turning vehicle striking a straight-moving sedan’s right front quarter panel.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:45 on Joline Avenue, Staten Island. Two sedans were involved: one traveling north going straight ahead, the other making a left turn traveling south. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the northbound sedan and the left front bumper of the southbound sedan. The report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, indicating driver visibility issues. A 9-year-old male front passenger in one vehicle was injured, sustaining contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles legally, but the left-turning maneuver combined with limited visibility led to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725301 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 8 - A female driver suffered severe injuries after her pickup truck crashed at unsafe speed on Staten Island’s Surf Avenue. The vehicle’s roof was damaged, and the driver was trapped and unconscious, sustaining abrasions and whole-body trauma.

According to the police report, a 43-year-old female driver operating a 2016 Chevrolet pickup truck was involved in a crash on Surf Avenue, Staten Island, at 9:00 p.m. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the collision. The vehicle was traveling south, going straight ahead when it impacted with its center front end, resulting in roof damage. The driver was trapped inside the vehicle and found unconscious with abrasions and injuries to her entire body, classified as injury severity level 3. The police report does not list any contributing factors related to victim behavior, focusing solely on the driver's unsafe speed as the cause. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723310 - 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 14 - A 64-year-old male driver suffered injuries and shock after a sedan collision caused by unsafe lane changing. The crash occurred on Joline Avenue at 2:00 AM. The vehicle sustained front-end damage, highlighting driver error as the primary cause.

According to the police report, a 64-year-old male driver was injured in a crash on Joline Avenue at 2:00 AM. The vehicle, a 2024 sedan traveling north, was involved in a collision impacting the left front bumper and causing center front-end damage. The report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor twice, indicating the driver’s failure to maintain safe lane discipline. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected but experienced shock and bodily injury of unknown severity. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. This crash underscores the dangers posed by unsafe lane changes in vehicle operation.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717061 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 10 - A motorcycle rider was ejected and injured after a collision with a sedan on Hylan Boulevard. The crash involved improper lane usage and driver distraction. The rider sustained bruises and arm injuries but remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island at 14:08. A motorcycle traveling straight ahead collided with a sedan making a left turn. The motorcycle rider, a 30-year-old male, was ejected from the vehicle and suffered injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, including contusions and bruises. The report cites the sedan driver’s errors as 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The motorcycle sustained damage to its center front end, while the sedan was damaged on the right front quarter panel. The rider was conscious despite the ejection and injuries. The police report does not list any contributing factors related to the rider’s behavior or safety equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716184 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 - 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 16 - Two sedans collided on Arthur Kill Road in Staten Island. The front passenger in one vehicle suffered whiplash and was injured. Both drivers were licensed men traveling south. The crash caused front and rear center-end damage to the vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Arthur Kill Road in Staten Island around 3 p.m. Two sedans traveling south collided: one was going straight ahead with front center impact damage, the other was slowing or stopping with rear center impact damage. The front passenger in the slowing vehicle, a 43-year-old woman wearing a lap belt, sustained whiplash and was injured but remained conscious. Both drivers were licensed men from New York. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The injury to the passenger highlights the violent impact forces involved despite the absence of ejection. The crash underscores the dangers of rear-end collisions even at moderate speeds.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710202 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 4 - A Dodge pickup tore down Joline Avenue. Speed ruled. The truck struck hard. Airbags exploded. A 69-year-old man, alone behind the wheel, died with deep lacerations. The road fell silent. The truck, battered, sat still in the morning light.

According to the police report, a Dodge pickup truck was traveling south on Joline Avenue near Joline Lane when it crashed. The report states the vehicle was moving at an unsafe speed. The impact was severe: the airbag deployed, and the 69-year-old male driver, who was alone in the vehicle, suffered fatal lacerations across his body. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor in this crash. The narrative describes the truck striking hard and coming to a stop, with the road falling silent in the aftermath. No other vehicles or individuals were involved. The focus remains on the danger of excessive speed, as cited in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707191 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19