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
Georgia Screws Transit Riders, Again
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Georgia ranks near the bottom in transit spending among U.S. states. MARTA, which serves residents of the Atlanta region, is the largest transit system in the country to receive no state funding. And Darin at Network blog ATL Urbanist reports that the state has yanked the rug from under transit-using Georgians once again. [Y]ou can […]
TLC Puts Data Recorders and Cameras in 10 Cabs for Safety Tech Pilot
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The Taxi and Limousine Commission officially launched a pilot program Tuesday that outfits TLC-licensed vehicles with electronic equipment intended to promote safe driving. For the Vehicle Safety Technology Pilot Program, TLC installed data recorders, driver alert systems, and cameras in 10 TLC-licensed vehicles, including yellow taxis, green cabs, and livery cabs. Based on the TLC press release, it seems the […]
NYPD Denies FOIL Request for Files on NYPD Crash That Killed Felix Coss
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NYPD rejected a Streetsblog freedom of information request for files pertaining to a crash in which an on-duty officer killed a pedestrian in Brooklyn. Felix Coss, 61, was crossing Broadway at Hooper Street, in a crosswalk with the signal, on the afternoon of July 6, 2013, when Officer Paula Medrano struck him with a marked van from the […]
Upper Manhattan’s First Protected Bike Lane Goes Green [Updated]
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Update: The Manhattan Community Board 12 transportation committee will consider an agenda item tonight that would call on DOT to remove the Fort George Hill bike lane. Yes, really. The meeting will be held at the Isabella Geriatric Center, 515 Audobon Avenue, at 7 p.m. Here are more photos from reader Jonathan Rabinowitz of Upper […]
TLC Eliminates Red Light Fines to Ease the “Unfair” Vision Zero “Burden”
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The @nyctaxi rule change announced today will help ensure drivers are not charged twice for the same offense. pic.twitter.com/rA8IROjRzE — Adriano Espaillat (@EspaillatNY) May 21, 2015 The Taxi and Limousine Commission has eliminated agency fines for red light camera violations. Until now, a red light camera summons triggered a TLC fine for the cab’s owner, in addition […]
NYPD Denies Request for Files Related to Fatal Manhattan Curb-Jump Crash
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NYPD rejected a Streetsblog freedom of information request for files related to a curb-jump crash that killed a Manhattan pedestrian in the Financial District three years ago. UPS man Mike Rogalle was working his regular route on the afternoon of April 17, 2012, when an SUV driver ran him over on the sidewalk outside 15 Beekman […]
We’re Screwed
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Promoted from my Twitter feed.
Motorists Kill Three Pedestrians and Seriously Injure Two Kids in Five Days
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New York City motorists killed three adults and seriously injured two children in five crashes since last Thursday. At around 10 p.m. Sunday, the driver of a Jeep Wrangler hit 7-year-old Abriana Carrasco near an ice cream truck on E. 214th Street at Paulding Avenue in the Bronx, according to the Daily News. “You could hear her crying and […]
Car-Free Parks: The Anticipation Builds
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When City Council members Mark Levine and Helen Rosenthal withdrew a bill that would have made the entire Central Park loop car-free for three summer months, the assumption was that City Hall was preparing to lead on the issue. “The council members have been working with the administration on this, and things are moving forward outside of the legislative process,” […]
Cy Vance Files Felony Charges for Beekman Street Sidewalk Hit-and-Run
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Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance has filed felony charges against a woman accused of driving onto a downtown sidewalk, striking a pedestrian, and leaving the scene. Heather Hensl was walking on Beekman Street near William Street on April 13 when a motorist struck her, knocking her to the ground, lacerating her head and fracturing her leg. The driver […]
NYPD: Drivers Injured 991 Pedestrians and Cyclists in April, and Killed Seven
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Nineteen people died in New York City traffic in April, and 3,873 were injured, according to the latest NYPD crash data report [PDF]. As of the end of April, 31 pedestrians and cyclists were reported killed by city motorists this year, and 3,769 injured, compared to 42 deaths and 4,406 injuries for the same period […]
Why Does Rory Lancman Want to Save Drivers From “Scofflaw Pedestrians”?
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City Council Member Rory Lancman wants to make it more difficult for NYPD to charge drivers who injure and kill people when, in his words, “accidents are caused by poor road conditions, bad weather and scofflaw pedestrians.” But if anything, NYPD has been exceedingly cautious in applying the Right of Way Law when there’s a chance the […]