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

Wednesday’s Headlines: A Wild Day in New York Edition

Click here to read Part III of our stunning series on temp tag fraud. Illustration: Martin Schapiro
Click the logo to read Part III of our stunning series on temp tag fraud. Illustration: Martin Schapiro
Click here to read our stunning series on temp tag fraud. Illustration: Martin Schapiro

Yes, Tuesday was a wild day in Lower Manhattan, but we prefer to look forward ... to the third and final part of Jesse Coburn's three-part series on temporary plate fraud that has turned the city into a Wild West of ghost cars.

Today's edition focuses on the buyers of illegal temps, many of whom are unlicensed drivers who can't get legit plates because they've driven too recklessly or can't get or afford insurance. And they're often the worst drivers on the road: According to the NYPD, 25 people were killed in crashes involving cars with temporary license plates in New York City in 2021 and 2022 — and at least 10 of those plates, perhaps far more, were fraudulent.

And beyond Coburn's exceptional journalism is a newly designed website by Angel Mendoza that is a pleasure to browse. So read it: click here to see Parts I and II. You will not regret it (though New Jersey and Georgia officials certainly will).

In other news:

    • Despite the Trump arraignment and the Coburn investigation (or perhaps because of them), the day began with a huge bombshell: Mayor Adams swatted Monday's Council budget proposal with a counter-proposal: a 4-percent across-the-board cut, initially reported by the Daily News, then followed by the Post, the Times. To her credit, Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, head of the Council's Transportation Committee, issued a damning statement, calling the cuts "irresponsible and manufactured" that will "only make it harder for agencies like the Department of Transportation to deliver the protected bus lanes, bike lanes, street redesigns, and other essential services required by law. ... The Mayor’s budget cuts have already put New Yorkers in danger this year by significantly slowing down the street safety infrastructure work needed to protect New Yorkers from preventable traffic violence." Amen.
    • Speaking of the above, Gothamist took a little extra time to report on the Council's bid to expand Fair Fares, which we had a day earlier.
    • Crain's looked at Gov. Hochul's environmental shenanigans that are delaying the budget.
    • It was a rough day for LIRR commuters. (NY Post)
    • Here's a deep dive into the mystery of co-named streets. (Gothamist)
    • Beyond that, it was a slow news day, so why not enjoy a solid Streetsfilms primer on why we and other outlets are calling for the end of parking mandates:

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New Bill Would Block Apps From Deactivating Workers Without Cause

A Brooklyn Council member wants delivery app companies to be more human and less robot.

July 18, 2025

Friday Video: Is Berlin a Great Biking City?

Have recent moves by anti-bike, pro-car legislators ruined the experience in the capital of a unified Germany? Sort of!

July 18, 2025

Eyes on the Street: Meeker Avenue Bike Lane Is a Failure

The Department of Transportation still hasn't finished a critical bike lane under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway that the agency has been stalling for over four years even after identifying the strip's danger and lack of proper signals.

July 18, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Cuomo’s Road Rage Edition

Why does Andrew Cuomo drive so recklessly? Plus other news.

July 18, 2025

Fixing Third Ave. Was Once ‘Top of List’ For Eric Adams — But as Mayor He Backed Off

Mayor Adams has delayed a redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue despite once saying safety fixes there should be "at the top of our list."

July 17, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Jerry Nadler Edition

U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler faced off with Sean Duffy on Capitol Hill. Plus more news.

July 17, 2025
See all posts