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
Nissan to Millennials: If You Really Want to Get Around, Don’t Drive
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This Nissan ad, in heavy rotation during the NFL playoffs, smacks of 21st century carmaker desperation. In “Commute,” a young motorist, stuck with colleagues in city traffic and watching cyclists pass her by, speeds onto a conveniently located ramp and launches her Nissan Rogue on top of a passing train. Now they can get where […]
Hit-and-Run Driver Not Charged in Death of Queens Pedestrian Mosa Khatun
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A hit-and-run driver who fatally struck a woman in Jamaica last night will not be charged with a crime, according to NYPD. Mosa Khatun, 38, was struck by the driver of a Nissan SUV at the corner of Highland Avenue and 169th Street at around 10:20 p.m., according to NYPD and the Daily News: Emergency […]
In Memoriam
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If anyone can put a stop to the suffering and death wrought by reckless New York City motorists, she will be a grieving mother. Time and again in 2013, parents were left to cope with incomprehensible loss at the hands of a driver abetted by a legal system that facilitates, if not condones, his negligence. […]
NYC Traffic Injuries Dropped in 2012, But Not for Pedestrians and Cyclists
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With 2013 coming to a close, we finally have access to citywide traffic injury data from 2012. A recently-posted summary from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles [PDF] shows that overall traffic injuries in New York City declined in 2012, but the improvement was limited to motor vehicle occupants. Annual pedestrian and cyclist injuries […]
Council Passes Hit-and-Run Bill; Greenfield Tables Speed Limit Legislation
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The City Council yesterday passed legislation requiring NYPD to post regular reports on the most serious hit-and-run crashes, while a bill to lower speed limits on certain streets has been set aside until next year. The hit-and-run bill would mandate that NYPD report in writing quarterly on the total number of “critical injury” hit-and-run crashes, […]
Manhattan Bus Routes Sweep the 2013 Pokey and Schleppie Awards
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The Straphangers Campaign and Transportation Alternatives today handed out their annual awards for the slowest and least reliable NYC buses, with Manhattan routes taking the honors. The M42 and the M50 tied for the 2013 Pokey award. Each crosstown bus was clocked at 3.4 miles per hour at noon on a weekday. That’s slower than […]
Cab Driver Who Killed 5-Year-Old Remains in Good Standing With TLC
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The cab driver who killed a 5-year-old child in Brooklyn last year is still on the road. Meanwhile, the civil suit filed by the victim’s parents was transferred to NYC this week from Texas, where the family lives. In April 2012, Timothy Keith and his mother and father were on their first trip to the city when, shortly after […]
Council Transpo Committee Passes NYPD Hit-and-Run Transparency Bill
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The City Council transportation committee passed a bill today that would require NYPD to issue quarterly reports on hit-and-run crashes and investigations. Originally, Intro 1055 would have had NYPD report to the council every two years on hit-and-runs resulting in serious injury or death. The language of the bill was tightened after sponsor Leroy Comrie and other committee members […]
Bronx Motorist Convicted of DWI, But Not Manslaughter, in Pedestrian Death
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A jury in the Bronx determined a motorist was impaired by alcohol and drugs when he struck and killed a pedestrian in 2011, but the jury acquitted the driver of manslaughter. Thomas Riley, 23, was crossing East Fordham Road near Bathgate Avenue at around 4:20 a.m. on March 20, 2011, when he was hit by […]
The Health Care Cost of Traffic Crashes, and More Ped Injury Summit Tidbits
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Here is more from last week’s pedestrian injury summit at Elmhurst Hospital. NYC DOT Infrastructure: Ann Marie Doherty, NYC DOT chief of research for implementation and safety, highlighted the agency’s 2010 pedestrian safety study and action plan. Doherty said DOT is working to get laws passed related to side guards on trucks, to keep people from being […]
Doctors Relate the Horror of Traffic Violence at Pedestrian Injury Summit
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Medical professionals and transportation experts convened Thursday for the third New York City Summit on Pedestrian Injury, hosted by Elmhurst Hospital. The day-long event brought transportation officials and advocates together with doctors who witness the destruction caused by reckless drivers in the city every day. The summit is chaired by Dr. Jamie Ullman, director of neurosurgery […]
Tonight: CB 10 Committee Set to Vote on Morningside Ave Improvements
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Manhattan Community Board 10 has scheduled a committee vote for this evening on proposed pedestrian improvements to Morningside Avenue in Harlem. The item appeared on a parks and transportation committee agenda sent out this afternoon. The meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. DOT has proposed restriping Morningside between 116th Street and 126th Street from two lanes […]