Crashes fell hard in Manhattan’s congestion zone. Injuries dropped by half. Streets emptied of cars, and danger faded. Early numbers show fewer people hurt, fewer collisions. The city watches. Advocates call it proof: less traffic, less harm. The toll of cars shrinks.

On January 23, 2025, new data revealed the impact of congestion pricing in Manhattan’s core. In the first 12 days after implementation, only 37 people were injured in 90 crashes below 60th Street, down from 76 injuries in 199 crashes during the same period in 2024. That’s a 51% drop in injuries and a 55% drop in crashes. The Department of Transportation said it is 'pleased' but will keep monitoring Vision Zero trends. MTA’s John J. McCarthy called the results 'basic math.' Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance said, 'Less congestion means fewer crashes.' Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives called the data 'promising' and urged the city to expand pedestrian and bike infrastructure. Early evidence shows congestion pricing is making streets safer for New Yorkers.

• Congestion Relief Zone is Also a CRASH Relief Zone: Data, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-23

Before dawn on 90th Avenue, a speeding SUV tore into a parked sedan. Metal shrieked, the roof caved. A 63-year-old man, alone behind the wheel, died in the wreckage. The street fell silent, marked by violence and loss.

According to the police report, a Station Wagon/Sport Utility Vehicle traveling east on 90th Avenue near 143rd Street struck a parked sedan at 5:38 a.m. The report states the SUV was moving at 'Unsafe Speed' when it collided with the sedan, folding metal and collapsing the sedan's roof. The sole occupant of the SUV, a 63-year-old man, was killed in the crash. The sedan was unoccupied. The police narrative describes the scene: 'A speeding SUV slammed into a parked sedan. Metal folded. The roof collapsed.' The contributing factor listed is 'Unsafe Speed,' underscoring the role of excessive speed in this fatal collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors are cited in the report. The crash highlights the lethal consequences when speed overtakes control on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787451, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Jeep rolled on West 64th and Amsterdam. Illness struck the driver. The SUV carried two. One man died in the seat, the left rear bumper marked by the crash. The street bore witness to sudden loss and silent danger.

A fatal crash occurred at West 64th Street and Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, a 73-year-old man driving a Jeep SUV suffered an illness while at the wheel. The report states, 'A 73-year-old man slumped at the wheel of a Jeep. Illness struck. The SUV rolled on. Two inside. One died in the driver’s seat. The left rear bumper bore the mark of the end.' The crash resulted in the death of the driver, who was not ejected from the vehicle. The police report lists 'Illnes' as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors are cited. The incident highlights the systemic risks when medical emergencies occur behind the wheel, with the vehicle continuing uncontrolled and endangering all inside.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787051, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 2010 Honda crashed into a parked Jeep on the Belt Parkway ramp. The driver, 23, died alone. His head struck hard, airbags burst, seatbelt held. The ramp was empty, the night silent. No one else was hurt.

A fatal crash unfolded on the Belt Parkway ramp when a 2010 Honda sedan collided with a parked 2023 Jeep SUV, according to the police report. The report states, 'A 2010 Honda slammed into a parked Jeep. The driver's head struck hard. Airbags burst. The man, 23, died alone in the dark. His seatbelt held. The ramp stayed still. No one else was there.' The sole occupant, a 23-year-old male driver, suffered fatal head injuries. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The Jeep was unoccupied and stationary at the time of the collision. The report notes the driver was restrained and airbags deployed, but does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash left the ramp empty and silent, underscoring the lethal consequences when a moving vehicle collides with a stationary one.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786429, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Intro 1138 would ban parking within 20 feet of crosswalks citywide. The bill cuts red tape, speeds up safety projects, and clears sightlines for all. DOT resists, citing old studies. Data shows daylighting slashes crashes. Vulnerable road users wait for action.

Intro 1138, now before the City Council, would make universal daylighting law in New York City. The bill, discussed in a January 2025 Streetsblog editorial, is designed to remove parking within 20 feet of every crosswalk. Its matter summary: 'Daylighting every intersection would make it easier to accomplish the Department of Transportation's policy goals.' Council members have not yet advanced the bill, while DOT Commissioner Rodriguez has publicly opposed it, claiming daylighting is 'not the right solution everywhere.' The editorial notes that universal daylighting would streamline DOT safety projects by eliminating the need for council notification each time curb space is repurposed, as required by Intro 103. Cities like Hoboken and San Francisco have seen sharp crash reductions after adopting daylighting. Federal Highway Administration data shows up to a 30 percent drop in intersection crashes. The evidence is clear: daylighting protects pedestrians and cyclists. DOT’s refusal leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

• Opinion: Daylight Every Corner to Speed Up DOT Safety Projects that Repurpose Curb Space, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-17

Mayor Adams wants $4 million a year to block cars from crosswalks. Granite blocks, bike racks, and barriers will guard corners. Most pedestrian deaths happen at intersections. The city has ignored its own parking ban. Activists demand real change. The fight continues.

On January 17, 2025, Mayor Eric Adams proposed a budget boost to $3.85 million per year for 'hardened daylighting' at intersections. The plan, detailed by City Hall's Office of Management and Budget, aims to install granite blocks, bike racks, and other barriers at hundreds of corners. Adams said, 'We are ... keeping New Yorkers safe on our streets ... by improving road safety at hundreds of targeted traffic intersections.' State law bans parking within 20 feet of intersections, but New York City exempts itself, fueling deadly crashes—55 percent of pedestrian deaths and 79 percent of injuries happen at intersections. Council members and grassroots activists are pushing to end the city's carveout and require the Department of Transportation to add barriers to 1,000 intersections a year. Jackson Chabot of Open Plans said, 'Hardening is what makes daylighting actually work, so the budget item is really crucial to expanding it across the city.' The push follows the 2023 death of 7-year-old Dolma Naadhun at a poorly designed corner. The fight for safer streets is far from over.

• Mayor Adams Proposes $4M Per Year to ‘Harden’ Dangerous Intersections, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-17

Commissioner Tisch’s new NYPD policy bans high-speed chases for traffic stops and non-violent crimes. The move follows deadly crashes, including the killing of cyclist Amanda Servedio. Clear rules now limit pursuits to violent felonies, aiming to cut needless danger on city streets.

On January 15, 2025, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced a sweeping policy reform restricting police vehicle pursuits. The new rules, set to enter the NYPD patrol guide on February 1, 2025, allow chases only for serious violent crimes. Tisch stated, 'The NYPD’s enforcement efforts must never put the public or the police at undue risk, and pursuits for violations and low-level crimes can be both potentially dangerous and unnecessary.' The policy comes after a spike in chases—up 1,413 percent since 2022—and several fatal crashes, including the death of cyclist Amanda Servedio. Tisch’s directive, supported by Chief of Department John Chell, gives officers clear, unambiguous parameters and shields them from discipline for terminating unsafe pursuits. The department will review chases monthly to ensure compliance. The reform aims to end reckless chases for minor offenses, reducing harm to pedestrians, cyclists, and bystanders.

• Exclusive: New Policy from Tisch Seeks to Reduce High-Speed NYPD Chases, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-15

A 70-year-old woman crossed 7th Avenue with the signal. A northbound Toyota turned left, its bumper striking her head. She fell, motionless, and died in the cold midday sun. The driver failed to yield. The street swallowed another life.

According to the police report, a 70-year-old woman was crossing 7th Avenue at 44th Street in Brooklyn with the pedestrian signal when a northbound Toyota sedan made a left turn. The vehicle's left front bumper struck her head, causing her to fall and suffer fatal injuries. The report states the driver failed to yield the right-of-way, listing 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. The pedestrian was described as 'unconscious' at the scene and died there. The police report explicitly notes the pedestrian was 'crossing with signal,' making clear she had the legal right to be in the crosswalk. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver inattention and failure to yield during turning movements at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785620, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Steel and illness met on the expressway. A 73-year-old man lost control, his Ford SUV veering left, crushing into a Lexus. He died belted in his seat, chest shattered. The road did not forgive. The system did not protect.

A 73-year-old man died after losing consciousness behind the wheel of his Ford SUV on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, according to the police report. The vehicle veered left and collided with a Lexus, with the impact crushing the front of both vehicles. The police report lists 'Illness' and 'Lost Consciousness' as contributing factors. The man, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, suffered fatal chest injuries and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report states, 'A 73-year-old man lost consciousness at the wheel. His Ford SUV veered left, crushing into a Lexus.' No driver errors such as distraction or speeding are cited beyond the medical emergency. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when a driver becomes incapacitated at speed. The system offered no safeguard for the driver or others on the road.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785728, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A baby girl crossing Avenue L in a marked crosswalk met an SUV’s front end. The driver failed to yield. Her chest crushed. The sedan was parked. The street fell silent. She never reached the curb.

According to the police report, a baby girl was killed while crossing Avenue L at East 88th Street in Brooklyn. The crash occurred at 18:46, as an SUV made a left turn and struck the child in a marked crosswalk. The report states the SUV driver’s action—'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way'—as the primary contributing factor. The narrative describes the baby in the crosswalk, the SUV turning left, and the impact crushing her chest. The sedan involved was parked and did not contribute to the collision. The police report makes no mention of the pedestrian’s behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the SUV driver's failure to yield, a systemic danger that left a child dead in the intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785035, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Community Board 8 backed the Central Park Conservancy’s plan. Ten voted yes, five no. The redesign adds a protected bike lane on the 86th Street transverse. Cyclists, pedestrians, and e-bike riders get separate lanes. The board rejected an e-bike ban. Safety, not hysteria, won.

On January 10, 2025, Manhattan Community Board 8’s Parks and Transportation Committee voted 10-5 to support the Central Park Conservancy’s roadway redesign. The plan, described as aiming to 'better organize the park's roads for cyclists, pedestrians, and e-bike users,' includes a protected bike lane on the 86th Street transverse and separate lanes for different users. Board member Sebastian Hallum Clarke introduced the substitute resolution backing the plan. David Saltonstall of the Conservancy stressed the need for separation, referencing Olmsted’s original design. The board rejected a proposed e-bike ban, instead supporting safer, separated space for all. The vote followed heated opposition from anti-cycling activists, but the board chose safety and organization over fear.

• Upper East Side Backs Central Park Transverse Plan Despite Anti-E-Bike Hysteria, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-10

Community boards demand a busway and wider sidewalks on 42nd Street. They cite the 14th Street busway’s success. Private cars choke the corridor. Pedestrians and bus riders get squeezed. DOT drags its feet. Advocates want action. Adams faces pressure. Lives hang in the balance.

On January 10, 2025, the chairs of Community Boards 4, 5, and 6 called on Mayor Adams to build a busway and widen sidewalks on 42nd Street. The matter, titled 'Midtown to Adams: It’s Time For A 42nd Street Busway!', highlights the need to 'significantly improve the efficiency and livability of 42nd Street for both commuters and pedestrians.' Christine Berthet, co-chair of CB 4 Transportation Committee, stressed that busways make intersections safer for pedestrians. The Department of Transportation, represented by spokesperson Mona Bruno, stated its commitment to safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and bus riders. The proposal follows the proven gains of the 14th Street busway and comes as congestion pricing looms. DOT has lagged on protected bus lanes, and Adams faces mounting pressure to prioritize vulnerable road users over private vehicles.

• Midtown to Adams: It’s Time For A 42nd Street Busway!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-10

Congestion pricing began. Promised bridge fixes stalled. Pedestrians and cyclists still squeeze for space. DOT delays a dedicated path. Advocates demand action. The city drags its feet. Car traffic drops, but danger remains. Vulnerable users wait. Progress is slow. Lives hang in the balance.

On January 7, 2025, the city launched congestion pricing. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has not delivered key improvements, like a dedicated pedestrian path on the Queensboro Bridge’s south outer roadway. The matter, described as 'Advocacy and Policy Critique on NYC Street Design and Transportation Improvements Post-Congestion Pricing,' highlights the city’s failure to act. Advocates Danny Pearlstein (Riders Alliance) and Jon Orcutt (Bike New York) urge the city to reclaim space for people, not cars. Sara Lind calls for bold changes, saying, 'This is a dream scenario, to be gifted more space in New York City.' DOT has added a bike lane to the Brooklyn Bridge and bus lanes on the Washington Bridge, but most projects lag. The Adams administration faces criticism for its lack of urgency. With car traffic down, advocates demand immediate action to protect pedestrians and cyclists. The city’s delay leaves vulnerable road users at risk.

• Queensboro Bridge Pedestrians and Cyclists Still Crunched for Space Despite Congestion Pricing Launch, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-07

A Mazda SUV turned left on Forest Avenue, its front end smashing into a 68-year-old man crossing in the marked walk. He fell, struck his head, and died alone in the cold morning. The driver failed to yield and paid no attention.

According to the police report, a 68-year-old man was crossing Forest Avenue at Raymond Place in the marked crosswalk when a Mazda SUV, traveling north and making a left turn, struck him with its center front end. The report states the pedestrian suffered a fatal head injury and died at the scene. The driver’s actions are cited as 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The narrative notes the man was crossing in the marked walk, emphasizing his lawful presence in the intersection. No contributing factors are listed for the pedestrian. The crash occurred in the early morning, leaving the victim unconscious and alone. The report centers the driver’s failure to yield and inattention as the primary causes of this fatal collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784160, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Congestion pricing launched January 5, 2025. Cars pay to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. The toll aims to cut traffic, clear air, and fund transit. Discounts exist for low-income and disabled drivers. Critics warn of spillover and enforcement gaps. The city moves forward.

On January 5, 2025, New York City implemented congestion pricing, charging drivers who enter Manhattan below 60th Street. The policy, debated for decades, now stands as law. The measure’s stated goal: 'reduce traffic, improve air quality, and generate revenue for the MTA’s capital plan.' Tolls vary by vehicle and time. Low-income and disabled residents get discounts or exemptions. The plan expects to cut vehicle miles in the central business district by 6.4% and vehicles by 13.4%. Critics, including hospital executives and business owners, warn of negative impacts, but the city promises mitigation—like electric truck upgrades in the Bronx. The law faces ongoing legal and political challenges, but city leaders press on, calling congestion pricing necessary for New York’s future.

• Congestion Pricing Has Begun! Here is the ONLY Explainer You Need, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-05

A bus struck a 53-year-old woman head-on at Ditmars Boulevard and 31st Street. Her body broke beneath the wheels. She died in the street. The bus rolled on into the morning. The city’s machinery did not stop for her.

A 53-year-old woman was killed at the corner of Ditmars Boulevard and 31st Street when a 2009 bus struck her head-on, according to the police report. The report states the woman was crossing against the signal at the intersection when the collision occurred. The bus, traveling straight ahead, hit her with its center front end. The force of the impact crushed her body beneath the wheels, resulting in her death at the scene. The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. The narrative notes the bus continued on after the collision. The report centers the fatal outcome for the pedestrian, with systemic danger underscored by the presence of a large vehicle moving through a busy intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783310, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A white Audi struck Michael Foster on Caton Avenue. The car dragged him for blocks. The driver never stopped. Foster died in the street. The Audi vanished into the night. No arrests. The city’s danger stays.

NY Daily News reported on January 1, 2025, that Michael Foster, 64, was killed after a white Audi hit him on Caton Ave. near Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn. The driver, described as speeding, dragged Foster for half a mile before leaving him near Linden Blvd. and Nostrand Ave. The article quotes a witness: "I saw him at the stop light. He would go out to the cars and beg for change." The driver fled the scene and has not been caught. No arrests have been made. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians in city streets and the ongoing issue of hit-and-run drivers evading responsibility.

• Audi Driver Drags Man Half Mile, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-01

A 64-year-old man lay broken on Caton Avenue, struck head-on by an Audi. His skull fractured, his body crushed. No crosswalk. No warning. The street claimed another life as evening fell in Brooklyn.

A 64-year-old pedestrian was killed when an Audi sedan struck him head-on on Caton Avenue near Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, according to the police report. The report states the man was not at an intersection or crosswalk when the collision occurred. The impact crushed his body and fractured his skull. The police narrative describes the scene: 'A 64-year-old man lay dying in the street. The front of an Audi struck him head-on. His skull broke. His body crushed.' The vehicle’s center front end bore the brunt of the collision. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' offering no further detail on driver behavior or conditions. The focus remains on the lethal force of the vehicle and the absence of safe crossing infrastructure at the site.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783016, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Before sunrise on Pennsylvania Avenue, a 24-year-old moped rider slammed into a turning sedan. He flew from his seat, helmet on, skull crushed. Death came fast, the street stained with loss. Two wheels, one life, ended in Brooklyn.

A deadly crash unfolded on Pennsylvania Avenue near Pitkin Avenue in Brooklyn, early in the morning. According to the police report, a moped traveling straight collided head-on with a sedan that was making a left turn. The 24-year-old moped rider was ejected from his seat, suffering fatal head injuries despite wearing a helmet. The report states the moped struck the sedan's center front end while the sedan was turning. Both vehicles sustained significant front-end damage. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' but the sequence of events highlights the systemic danger when turning vehicles cross the paths of vulnerable road users. The moped rider's helmet use is noted in the report, but the impact proved overwhelming. The crash left the young rider dead in the street, underscoring the lethal consequences of vehicle movements and street design.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782957, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Metal shrieked on Lefferts Boulevard. A taxi and sedan collided, crushing a woman and breaking a baby’s legs. Both were off the roadway. The drivers missed the signs. One woman dead. One child maimed. The city’s danger, laid bare.

A deadly crash unfolded on Lefferts Boulevard near 115th Avenue in Queens when a taxi and a sedan collided, according to the police report. The impact killed a 51-year-old woman and left a baby boy with broken legs. Both victims were pedestrians and, as the report states, 'not in the roadway' at the time of the crash. The police report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors for both drivers. The narrative underscores that 'the drivers missed the signs,' highlighting systemic failures in driver compliance with traffic controls. The collision’s violence—'metal screamed'—left one woman dead from crush injuries and a child with severe leg trauma. The report does not list any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on driver error and the lethal consequences for those outside the vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782691, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15