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
Traffic Violence Claims Another Life as NYPD Announces Enforcement Blitz
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The pedestrian death toll stands at 13 since October 31. NYPD said a man hit by a driver in Queens last weekend died from his injuries Wednesday, according to Gothamist. Meanwhile, police announced a period of “focused enforcement” of the most dangerous driving violations. On Sunday at around 5 p.m., a 70-year-old man driving a Honda minivan […]
Randall’s Island Connector to Open This Weekend
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The Randall’s Island Connector is set to open this weekend. A greenway link between the island and the South Bronx, the connector has been on the agenda of advocates and electeds since the early 1990s. The project will provide a grade-level crossing over Bronx Kill from E. 132nd Street in Port Morris, under an Amtrak bridge, […]
DA Ken Thompson: Felony Plea for Driver Who Killed Roshard Charles, 5
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A driver who fatally struck a little boy in Crown Heights and left the scene has pled guilty to felony hit-and-run. On March 16, 2014, 5-year-old Roshard Charles was walking with his mother, little brother, and a friend on Empire Boulevard between Nostrand Avenue and Rogers Avenue when a driver aiming for a parking spot backed into him with […]
NYPD Precinct Where Driver Killed Ally Liao Announces Walking Crackdown
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An NYPD precinct in Queens where law-breaking drivers have killed several people this year has announced a crackdown on walking. On Monday, Deputy Inspector Thomas Conforti, commanding officer of the 109th Precinct, stood with Assembly Member Mike Simanowitz, Assembly Member Ron Kim, U.S. Representative Grace Meng, and City Council Member Peter Koo to tout a “plan to […]
De Blasio Hasn’t Done It, So Tish James Intros Bill to Legalize Walking
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A bill from Public Advocate Tish James would clean up outdated city traffic rules that NYPD and district attorneys say are an obstacle to applying the Right of Way Law. Under the current rules, adopted before the existence of pedestrian countdown clocks, people who enter a crosswalk when the signal is flashing the “don’t walk” symbol do not have the right […]
Drivers Killed 3 Seniors This Weekend, Bringing 10-Day Death Toll to 11
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The wave of traffic violence that began with the deaths of three people on Halloween continued over the weekend, when motorists killed three pedestrians in Manhattan and Queens. Drivers have killed at least 11 people walking in the city in the last 10 days. The three most recent victims were all seniors. At approximately 12:45 a.m. Sunday, Salifu […]
Straight Talk From Portland PD on the Importance of Speed Enforcement
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There’s nothing all that special about this traffic safety video from the Portland Police Bureau. It’s just a short talk from retired officer Ron Hoesly, formerly of the department’s traffic division, on the importance of enforcing speed limits. What’s so good about it is Hoesly doesn’t patronize with happy talk about everyone doing their part to make […]
Trucker Who Killed Woman Admits Negligence, NYPD Still Blames Victim
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Update: The Daily News identified the Queens hit-and-run victim as Agalia Gounaris, 84, of Flushing. Police said the bus was located in Connecticut, en route to a casino, and that by that time evidence was lost due to rain. The driver was being questioned, the News reported. Motorists took the lives of two people walking yesterday, […]
Help TA and Families for Safe Streets Convince the AP to Drop “Accident”
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The word “accident” is so ingrained in media practice that reporters use it to describe basically any motor vehicle crash scenario, even when a driver is impaired or accused of using a car as a weapon. This is harmful because it disregards the fact that most collisions can be traced to preventable causes, including reckless driving […]
NYPD: “No Criminality” When MTA Bus Driver Kills Senior and Leaves Scene
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Update: Bus driver Paul Roper was charged with felony leaving the scene, failure to yield, and careless driving, according to NY1. An MTA bus driver struck and killed a senior with a walker at a Brooklyn intersection and left the scene this morning. Though it was a hit-and-run crash and it appears likely the victim had […]
Sidewalks Are No Sanctuary: Driver Jumps Curb, Kills 3 in the Bronx
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A motorist killed three people Saturday, including a 10-year-old girl, and injured three others when he drove onto a Bronx sidewalk crowded with trick-or-treaters. Police told the media Howard Unger, 52, of the Bronx, was driving west on Morris Park Avenue in a Dodge sedan at around 5 p.m. when he hit another vehicle from behind […]
Trick-or-Treaters Need Safe Streets, Not “Be Seen!” Tweets
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Wow Wednesday! Be #safe, be seen this Halloween! Dress up your costume with retroreflective material. pic.twitter.com/2FkyYfgWIp — Federal Highway Admn (@USDOTFHWA) October 28, 2015 Halloween is the worst day of the year for child pedestrian fatalities in the United States. A 2012 study by State Farm found that the average number of children killed by […]