See all those purple dots? Each one represents the occupant of a vehicle who was killed in an auto accident between 2001 and 2009. Read more »
Today, diplomats and world leaders—assuming they can get their visas approved—converge on New York for the annual convening of the United Nations, but discussions of conflict, communicable diseases, and other items of global significance doesn’t seem to be important according to the media. Read more »
Officers in this squad car didn’t flash any lights or even sound off their Rumbler siren as a driver made a highly conspicuous, illegal three point turn on Broadway—a major thoroughfare—just across the Bushwick border in Williamsburg this morning. Read more »
Wait till you see this newly uploaded YouTube video. Entitled, “NYC SportBike Run 06-26-11 – Taking Over the Streets,” it shows a pack of people riding motorcycles doing some really insane shit, from running red lights to popping wheelies, and yes even riding into oncoming traffic. Most shocking? No one appears to have died.
Because surveillance cameras will solve all of NYC’s problems—crime, terrorism, traffic enforcement—Mayor Bloomberg and company are now looking to install them on street sweepers too. The Times says the measure is “aimed at taking the burden off traffic agents in enforcing alternative-side parking rules.” Isn’t that their primary duty? Next thing ya know, they’ll be performing tasks the city really needs, like directing traffic or something.
On Monday night, the DOT handed in their 34th Street redesign homework to local community leaders and the proposal is much tamer than previous iterations. The pedestrian plazas are gone and the bus lanes won’t have barriers, but there’s still plenty of things for the pro-car tabloids to bitch about, since vehicles will only be given one lane in each direction to clog up during rush hour.
Although you couldn’t tell from the sensational media coverage, motor vehicles still present way more of a threat to New Yorkers than bikes, and the city’s traffic cameras can circumstantially prove it. According to the New York Post, 150 of the cameras caught over 1 million drivers running red lights in 2010. That’s a lot of recipes for disaster (and revenue). It’s a good thing the NYPD is focusing their red light enforcement resources on cyclists in Central Park.
According to a new study, pollution caused by traffic (7.4%) triggered the most heart attacks worldwide, compared to say coffee (5%), air pollution (4.8%) or sexual activity (2.2%). Although cocaine was most likely to increase the risks for heart attacks, only a small amount of people party, so it only accounted for less than 1 percent overall. Drivers beware!
In what is sure to incite a flurry of appeals, the Department of Transportation has installed surveillance cameras along sections of First and Second Avenues to snag drivers who wrongly use the bus lane. They will receive a photograph in the mail of the infraction and a $115 ticket, assuming they weren’t just picking or dropping of passengers or making right hand turns.
Since yesterday, artist Joel Kyack has launched project Superclogger. As part of LA><ART, weekly summer interventions will bring puppet shows to various LA highways mid evening traffic rush (a.k.a. the shittiest time-place to be in, short of a natural disaster or war zone). Read more »
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