Recent Streetsblog NYC posts about Street Justice

The New York State DMV Primer: Why Two Hearings for Killer Drivers?

By Steve Vaccaro | Nov 25, 2014 | 6 Comments

Editor’s note: This is the first installment in a series of Streetsblog columns and stories on the workings of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, its role in deterring or facilitating traffic violence, and agency reforms that could make streets and roads safer. Many questions arose when news broke that the motorist who […]

Sanity Prevails as Advocates and Officials Discuss Central Park Safety Issues

By Steve Vaccaro | Oct 9, 2014 | 33 Comments

Monday night, Deputy Inspector Jessica Corey, the commanding officer of NYPD’s Central Park Precinct, led a discussion of street safety in Central Park. Convened by the Central Park Conservancy, it drew representatives of most major advocates and organizations of recreational users of the park, including NY Road Runners, Transportation Alternatives, Asphalt Green Triathalon, Central Park […]

DMV Scrambles to Contain Scandal of Wrongful Bike Penalties

By Steve Vaccaro | Sep 23, 2014 | 12 Comments

Last Friday, New York State DMV responded to mounting evidence that it has been systematically cheating cyclists by imposing motorist-only surcharges and license points for bicycling violations, contrary to state law. The problem was first brought to DMV’s attention on August 12, in a Streetsblog post. DMV admitted that it was violating the law and agreed […]

If Police Don’t Take Traffic Violence Seriously, Vision Zero Will Fail

By Steve Vaccaro | Sep 9, 2014 | 52 Comments

Eight months in, Mayor de Blasio and his administration should be proud of how much has been achieved under the Vision Zero program. As an attorney and advocate for crash victims, my expectations were exceeded by the early progress in almost every area of this multi-agency initiative. There have even been noticeable changes at the […]

DMV Cheating Cyclists With Unlawful Surcharges and License Points

By Steve Vaccaro | Aug 19, 2014 | 146 Comments

As NYPD’s latest bike ticket blitz — “Operation Safe Cycle” — rolls into its second week, here at my law firm we’ve been getting more than the usual number of phone calls and emails from cyclists with questions about summonses. Usually the big question in these discussions is whether to plead guilty, not how to plead guilty. […]

A Powerful New Tool to Deter Traffic Violence — If Law Enforcers Use It

By Steve Vaccaro | Jun 3, 2014 | 30 Comments

Last Thursday, the New York City Council passed Intro 238. This legislation makes it a misdemeanor for drivers to strike pedestrians or cyclists who have the right of way. Intro 238 has the potential to dramatically change driver behavior and advance the Vision Zero program of eliminating traffic fatalities. But without enforcement by NYPD and […]

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