Recent Streetsblog NYC posts about Traffic Justice

DMV Revoked License of Driver Who Killed Allison Liao for Just 30 Days

By Brad Aaron | Jan 30, 2015 | 19 Comments

The motorist who killed 3-year-old Allison Liao could be back behind the wheel before long, as the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles revoked his license for just 30 days. Following a hearing in early January, DMV administrative law judge Sidney Fuchs determined that Ahmad Abu-Zayedeh failed to yield the right of way when he ran over Allison […]

In Brooklyn, Another Alleged Unlicensed Driver Faces Wrist Tap for Killing

By Brad Aaron | Jan 29, 2015 | 8 Comments

An allegedly unlicensed driver who killed a pedestrian in a Brooklyn crosswalk last month was not charged with criminal negligence by NYPD or District Attorney Ken Thompson. Meanwhile, legislation to increase the penalty for causing a death while driving without a valid license continues to languish in Albany. Raul Leone-Vasquez was crossing Bay Parkway at […]

NYPD: 1,399 Pedestrians and Cyclists Injured, 10 Killed in December

By Brad Aaron | Jan 26, 2015 | 2 Comments

Twelve people died in New York City traffic in December, and 4,116 were injured, according to the latest NYPD crash data report [PDF]. Unofficial numbers from DOT indicate that 132 pedestrians and 20 cyclists were killed by city motorists in 2014. Drivers injured 14,922 pedestrians and cyclists last year, according to NYPD. Citywide, at least […]

Suffolk DA Stands With Traffic Violence Victims — Will NYC DAs Follow Suit?

By Brad Aaron | Jan 23, 2015 | No Comments

On Tuesday, New Yorkers tuned into the evening news might have seen a district attorney standing with victims of traffic violence. But the prosecutor wasn’t from one of the five boroughs. WCBS reports: The families of four victims killed in hit-and-run crashes in Suffolk County called on Albany on Tuesday to enact tougher sentences for […]

So Far, Ken Thompson Is the Only DA to Meet With Families For Safe Streets

By Stephen Miller | Jan 15, 2015 | 2 Comments

With Families For Safe Streets appealing to New York City’s five district attorneys to prosecute dangerous drivers who injure or kill, one DA has opened his doors to them. At a City Hall rally last Sunday, Families For Safe Streets announced that Thompson is launching the District Attorney Driver Accountability Initiative. “The new initiative is designed to address issues […]

DAs Insist They Don’t Call Car Crashes “Accidents,” Except When They Do

By Stephen Miller | Jan 14, 2015 | 13 Comments

Among the demands Families For Safe Streets is making of district attorneys, one of the simpler changes is to stop using the word “accident” to describe traffic collisions. In exchanges this week, the offices of three district attorneys said in no uncertain terms that they already refrain from using the word “accident” in this manner. […]

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