Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
DOT

“Midtown in Motion” to Come With Rad Driver-Distracting Apps

As it is, the NYC DOT “Midtown in Motion" initiative is a bit of a head-scratcher. To learn that the city is devoting well over a million dollars in addition to staff resources to speed up car traffic in Midtown, which the mayor has declared the "lifeblood" of the CBD -- is it 2006 again?

Here's another jaw-dropping facet of the program, as reported in the Times:

[City engineers] also plan to offer this data to software developers so that drivers and passengers can gain access to this detailed information on their iPads or iPhones.

Distracted driving is a known killer, an epidemic so widespread and pernicious that it even has Albany's attention. You've got to wonder about the logic behind encouraging drivers to pilot their two-ton missiles through streets teeming with pedestrians while not looking where they're going.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

The City Is Doing to Prospect Park What It Needs to Do to All Parks

A long-awaited bike lane in Brooklyn will create almost full protected cycling coverage around Prospect Park — setting a new standard for the rest of the city.

March 23, 2026

NYC Pols To DOT: We Want More — And Better — Summer Streets!

A group of 29 current and former elected officials asked DOT to expand the car-free streets program so that it's not just a few random Saturdays along unconnected stretches.

March 23, 2026

Why Some Members of Congress Want to Go Big on Greenways

A new bill would multiply federal funding for walking and biking paths — even as some powerful congresspeople threaten to take away what we've already got.

March 23, 2026

Monday’s Headlines: We Fixed Congress Edition

DOT installed "don't walk" signs next to pedestrians ramps in Brooklyn, then removed them after Streetsblog started asking questions. Plus more news.

March 23, 2026

VIDEO: Reckless Driver Kills Cyclist, Injures Four Others in Harlem Crash That Shows Need For Speed Caps

The 8 p.m. crash comes just a few days after Mayor Mamdani was criticized by the pro-car right for announcing that speed-limit reductions in school zones would be in effect all day, not just during school hours.

March 20, 2026
See all posts