Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Car Culture

Flouting Traffic Laws: The Gateway to Lying to Police

atodd.jpgEveryone following the blow-by-blow of the presidential race is now familiar with Ashley Todd, the undergrad campaign volunteer who falsely claimed that a black man carved the letter "B" in her face after seeing her McCain bumper sticker. Before Todd's story was proven to be a total fabrication, her Twitter feed surfaced on the Smoking Gun, revealing a preoccupation with traffic, reckless driving, and weaseling out of traffic tickets:

atodd_twitter.jpg

joe_mcc.jpgSeveral tweets about traffic ensue. Meanwhile, the candidate's younger brother, Joe McCain (right), got himself into trouble by calling 911 to complain about a traffic jam in northern Virginia.

It's tempting to think that this behavior is the natural outgrowth of a campaign that responded to rising energy prices by making "Drill, Baby, Drill" its mantra, but the truth is that plenty of drivers -- belonging to both parties -- feel so entitled.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

MLK Day Headlines: Transit Dignity Edition

Honoring The Dream, plus other news.

January 19, 2026

Mayor Mamdani Won’t Discuss The Ongoing NYPD Criminal Bike Crackdown That Candidate Mamdani Opposed

Hizzoner has gotten the question at least four times in the last 11 days and has yet to explain why he has not ended the NYPD's ticketing blitz against bikers.

January 16, 2026

New Speaker’s Transportation Committee Signals Departure From Her Car-First Predecessor

The Council committee tapped by new Speaker Julie Menin has a pro-bike, pro-pedestrian chair — and zero Republicans.

January 16, 2026

Mamdani Warns Delivery Apps to Follow New Worker Protection Laws — Or Else

The Mamdani Administration sent letters to over 60 delivery app companies, warning they must comply with new regulations.

January 16, 2026

Advocates to Mamdani: Come See the Cross Bronx Impact for Yourself!

Anti-highway expansion advocates in the Bronx are asking the mayor to hear them out on their ideas to create a safer and more human-friendly environment around the toxic expressway.

January 16, 2026

Friday Video: Remember When Central Park Was Actually Dangerous?

Streetfilms legend Clarence Eckerson reframes the debate about Manhattan's premier green space in just 45 seconds.

January 16, 2026
See all posts