NYC Crosswalk Parking Ban: Will It Improve Safety or Worsen Congestion?

The New York City Council is set to vote on a significant street safety bill that advocates claim could help curb pedestrian fatalities. Meanwhile, city transportation officials caution that the plan could have the opposite effect, leading to more injuries and the loss of hundreds of thousands of parking spaces throughout the city.
Proposed ‘Daylighting’ Regulation Could Boost Safety, But Some Argue Risks and Costs Are Too High
Called Intro. 1138, the legislation would ban parking within 20 feet of any crosswalk, implementing a design solution known as “daylighting.” This would improve visibility at intersections, enabling drivers to better see pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles before turning.

On July 30, the Council’s Progressive Caucus officially supported the bill. If enacted, it would bring New York in line with existing state law. Council Member Julie Won of Queens, who introduced the bill, says it’s long overdue.

“Universal daylighting and hardening at intersections will keep all New Yorkers safe whether they are driving, walking, or biking,” Won stated.
DOT Expresses Concerns about Possible Downsides
However, the city’s Department of Transportation (DOT) has raised major concerns. At an April meeting, officials projected that universal daylighting could increase injuries by 15,000 a year if not paired with permanent physical barriers. The DOT estimates installing such barriers would cost the city approximately $3 billion.

“In theory, we would support hardened daylighting at all corners,” DOT deputy commissioner Eric Beaton said, “but that would cost in the neighborhood of $3 billion, and would cover large numbers of locations without a history of injuries.”

In the interim, DOT is focusing on daylighting only at dangerous Brooklyn intersections.
Parking Losses Fuel Political Opposition
The proposed law could eliminate an estimated 300,000 parking spaces, worsening the city’s existing parking challenges. Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella harshly criticized the legislation, calling it a “solution in search of a problem,” and dubbing it “even worse than daylight saving time.”

“It is a big mistake to impose a $3 billion parking ticket on New York City residents,” Fossella added.

Transit advocates like Sara Lind of Open Plans insist that most pedestrian injuries happen at intersections and that big changes are needed.

“We’re talking about children being hit and killed crossing the street,” Lind said. “That feels like something worth putting money toward.”

It remains uncertain when the Council will vote, but a spokesperson for Council Speaker Adrienne Adams confirmed the bill is moving forward.