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
Will Washington Governor Jay Inslee Sacrifice Safer Streets?
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As we reported yesterday, it looks like Washington Governor Jay Inslee may move forward with a low-carbon fuel standard, triggering a legislative “poison pill” that would eliminate funds for transit and street safety initiatives. The Seattle Times reports that Inslee is gambling on restoring those funds at a later date, but Tom Fucoloro at Seattle Bike Blog […]
Albany Alert: Urge Governor Cuomo to Amend or Kill Hit-and-Run Bill
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District attorneys are calling on Albany’s three men in a room to amend or kill a bill that would affect future cases against drivers who leave the scene of a serious crash. Prosecutors and advocates have for years asked lawmakers to address a loophole in state law that gives hit-and-run drivers an incentive to leave the scene. […]
NYPD: No Charges for Driver Who Killed Woman on Brooklyn Sidewalk
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NYPD filed no charges against a motorist who cut a swath of destruction through East New York, striking two people on a sidewalk and killing one of the victims. The driver, in a Toyota Camry, was making a left turn at Pennsylvania Avenue and Cozine Avenue at around 10:30 a.m. on July 1 when she mounted the sidewalk, struck a wall, […]
Transit Alone Won’t Lead to Transit-Oriented Development
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When MARTA opened its Garnett rail station in south downtown Atlanta in the early 1980s, the city expected development to follow. Darin at ATL Urbanist writes that documents from the 70s show that planners believed the station could spur offices and a residential high rise. More than three decades later, that hasn’t happened. In fact, […]
Deadbeat Chris Christie Sticks It to New Jersey Transit Riders, Again
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As expected, the New Jersey Transit board of directors has approved a 9 percent fare hike and service cuts, again making transit riders the victims of Governor Chris Christie’s budget shell games. New Jersey’s gas tax is the second lowest in the U.S., and has not seen an increase since 1988. Christie has refused to raise […]
Cy Vance: Repeat Hit-and-Run Killer Shouldn’t Drive Again; Judge: Disagree
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A driver who killed two people in separate hit-and-run crashes could be driving again in two years after a judge disregarded a sentencing recommendation from Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance. In 2013 Jack Montelbano ran over 69-year-old Shu Ying Liu with a private dump truck as Liu crossed 41st Street at Ninth Avenue in the crosswalk […]
A Modest Proposal for New York’s Penn Station
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“One entered the city like a God. One scuttles in now like a rat.” That quote, attributed (in varying iterations) to architect Vincent Scully, refers to New York’s former and current Penn Stations. Practically everyone who’s given it any thought agrees that the cave under Madison Square Garden is a poor substitute for the gem that […]
When a Driver Had a Seizure and Killed Two in Manhattan, It Was Murder
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One day after a fatal crash at this intersection, drivers – including the NYPD – blatantly run the red. pic.twitter.com/0qTq39gDn2 — Brooklyn Spoke (@BrooklynSpoke) July 14, 2015 The motorist who killed a cyclist and injured several others in Brooklyn yesterday told police he had a seizure after he did not take his medication. If the driver’s […]
DMV: Driver Who Killed Child in Crosswalk May Drive Again After Six Months
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Pursuant to a New York State Department of Motor Vehicles hearing, the former cab driver who killed 9-year-old Cooper Stock will regain his driving privileges after six months. In January 2014 Cooper and his father Richard Stock were crossing an Upper West Side street in a crosswalk with the right of way when Koffi Komlani hit them […]
No, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Didn’t Save Money by Killing the Red Line
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Maryland Governor Larry Hogan spiked long-standing plans for the Baltimore Red Line because, he said, it cost too much. According to Hogan, he’s saving taxpayers money by diverting Red Line funds to road projects. But Ben Ross at Greater Greater Washington reports that, when it comes to return on investment, the governor’s claim doesn’t add up. Ross writes […]
DOT and MTA Launch M86 Select Bus Service
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Electeds and other city officials today launched M86 Select Bus Service, which should reduce travel times for thousands of New Yorkers. With 25,000 riders a day, the crosstown M86 carries more passengers per mile than any other New York City bus route. DOT first identified the line as an SBS candidate in 2009. Unlike other Select Bus Service lines, the M86 will not have […]
Paving Projects Can Also Be Street Safety Projects
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Transportation departments tend to separate street resurfacings from street safety projects. In New York City, for example, advocates are pushing DOT to coordinate its paving and safety teams to better facilitate low-cost improvements for walking and biking. Paving and safety projects shouldn’t be in competition for resources, writes Jonathan Maus at BikePortland. Maus says his city’s transportation planners are […]