Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Traffic Enforcement

Thursday’s Headlines: Criminal Mischief Edition

Are you going to pay this?

The huge story yesterday was just how many speeding and parking tickets drivers aren't paying.

According to the Independent Budget Office, there are currently more than $1 billion in uncollected parking and red light camera-generated fines — a staggering number that builds off of Streetsblog's reporting earlier this year that tens of thousands of license plates can't even be read by city speed and red-light cameras.

All the major outlets covered the outrage, including the NY Post, The City, and amNY, but most only focused on the raw numbers, rather than the outrage that the same people who are filling our lungs with pollution, congestion our roadways, making cycling and walking unpleasant, intimidating our kids, killing our seniors and ruining our infrastructure are also not paying when they break the law.

At least Hell Gate played it right: "Bad Drivers Owe NYC $1 Billion," the reporter-owned website blared. "That's around double the Parks Department's annual budget."

In other news from a four-glasses-of-wine kinda day:

    • Before we let you forget, Jesse Coburn’s full three-part investigation into the temp tag black market is now online in one handy, gorgeously designed online space. Click here to read it again and again.
    • The City did a great job covering the infighting in the deliverista world.
    • How about this $5.5-billion giveaway to the police? (NYDN, NY Post)
    • Gov. Hochul walked back her effort to undermine the environment. (NY Times)
    • amNY put four reporters and two editors on its long takeout on outdoor dining, but didn't add that much to the debate: a bill to make the Open Restaurant program permanent is simply stalled.
    • Are you enjoying all the cops in the subway? Well, they're coming to parks, too. (Gothamist)
    • We're glad the Times did the Ulysses Grant arrest story because no one should speed recklessly.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Friday Video: Meet the Subway’s Straphanger-Free Trains

We've all seen them. Now, thanks to YouTube's "Half as Interesting," we can tell you the purpose of each one.

October 3, 2025

The MTA Is Headed To The Lab To Design The Ridgewood Busway

A filthy private road underneath the elevated M tracks could become a gleaming bus-first corridor.

October 3, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Good News Edition

The Department of Transportation reports that traffic deaths are way down through the first three quarters of 2025. Plus other news.

October 3, 2025

‘Bean-Counting Street Safety’: Advocates Blast Gale Brewer’s Daylighting Flip-Flop

The Upper West Side pol's inconsistent safety record is getting a second look from activists who once supported her.

October 2, 2025

There’s Good Science Behind the Human Craving for Livable Streets

It's time to understand the science of pedestrian-friendly cities. Or, why streets should be designed like gardens.

October 2, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Mourning Becomes Enforcement Edition

Why were cops ticketing cyclists at the very intersection where a bike rider was killed by a driver on Saturday? Plus other news.

October 2, 2025
See all posts