Brad Aaron
Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York's dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.
Recent Posts
Crash Witnesses: NYPD Won’t Charge Cabbie Who Hospitalized Cyclist
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For every injury to a New York pedestrian or cyclist that briefly makes news, there are hundreds that get no attention whatsoever. Even when there are witnesses to such a crash, once the wounded are transported and police clear the scene, it becomes nearly impossible to glean information that might prevent another collision or help […]
Speed Survey Confirms Deadly McGuinness Boulevard Is Out of Control
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A study released today finds that two out of three motorists speed on Brooklyn’s McGuinness Boulevard [PDF], a notorious Greenpoint thoroughfare where locals have for years called on the city to take action to prevent pedestrian and cyclist injuries and deaths. The McGuinness Boulevard Working Group — comprised of Transportation Alternatives, Neighbors Allied for Good […]
Lefevre Lawsuit Could Loosen NYPD Grip on Crash Information
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The lawsuit filed by the family of Mathieu Lefevre against NYPD could change police procedure in the aftermath of fatal crashes, making it easier for grieving relatives to access crucial information. Lefevre was hit by the driver of a crane truck making a right turn at the intersection of Morgan Avenue and Meserole Street, in […]
No Charges for Alleged Drunken Hit-and-Run Death of Brooklyn Woman
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Contrary to media reports, the Domino’s Pizza delivery driver accused of killing pedestrian Margaret Myers in Brooklyn earlier this month is not facing charges for her death. NYPD sources told the Post and Daily News that Videsh Badal was drunk and driving with a suspended a license when he ran down Myers, 69, on Wortman […]
Memo to Chris Quinn: New York Voters Like Livable Streets
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Christine Quinn is not known as a politician who shies away from shying away, but it might be time to ditch her public indifference toward NYC DOT’s street safety and public space program. Monday evening, the Times reported on a Times Square Alliance study that, Great Recession notwithstanding, shows booming growth since 2007. Currently, the […]
Eyes on the Street: Driver Goes Wheels-Up Outside Inwood School
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Via Shannon Park (@GothamGoddess), this was the scene on Park Terrace West at Isham Street in Inwood this morning. Hard to tell how the driver of the SUV managed to mount a parked livery cab, but we do know a few things. Park Terrace West is not a wide, speed-inducing roadway. It’s northbound-only with parking […]
Pedestrian Abraham Samet Killed by Driver in Borough Park Last Monday
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Streetsblog has learned that the man killed by the driver of a van in Borough Park last week was Abraham Samet, 68. NYPD told Streetsblog that Samet was struck while crossing New Utrecht Avenue at 12th Avenue at 12:33 p.m. on Monday, March 12. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Maimonides Medical Center. No […]
Steve Levin to Ray Kelly: Time to Fully Investigate Serious Traffic Injuries
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Brooklyn City Council Member Steve Levin wants NYPD to explain the way it investigates traffic crashes, and is preparing legislation that would bring department procedures in line with state law and significantly increase the number of officers trained to deal with cases involving serious injury and death. In a letter to Commissioner Ray Kelly [PDF], […]
Pedestrian Ghana Ghalley Killed by Driver in Fordham on Wednesday
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A pedestrian was killed by a driver Wednesday evening in the Fordham section of the Bronx. According to a Daily News report, at around 5:54 p.m. 24-year-old Ghana Ghalley was in the crosswalk, apparently crossing University Avenue, when the driver of a westbound Ford van struck her while making a left turn from W. 190th […]
Vaccaro: Video Shows NYPD Wrongly Faulted Slain Cyclist Mathieu Lefevre
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Video footage indicates that NYPD was wrong to conclude that cyclist Mathieu Lefevre caused the October 2011 crash that took his life, according to Steve Vaccaro, the attorney representing Lefevre’s family. Last week, the Lefevres and Vaccaro saw video of the crash in its entirety for the first time. In a letter delivered Tuesday to Supreme […]
Open Thread: The Volvo Pedestrian Airbag
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I am ambivalent about the Volvo pedestrian airbag, as seen via Laughing Squid. On one hand, it seems like another way for automakers to help people shirk responsibility for how they drive. Plus, as currently designed, it looks like it’s intended to minimize windshield damage as much as anything. On the other hand, it is […]
Street Safety Alert: NYC Cabbies Log More Hours Than Long-Haul Truckers
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Every New Yorker who steps off a curb should read the Gotham Gazette story on the health problems associated with driving a city cab. If nothing else it’s an eye-opener, to say the least, in light of the potential impact of cabbie working conditions on street safety. From a physical standpoint, driving is a sedentary […]