Latest news with #DepartmentofMotorVehicles
Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Straits Times
In New York City, drivers who run red lights get fines. E-bike riders get court dates.
In what they say is a new safety campaign, the police are issuing summonses that may lead to arrest for cyclists who break the city's traffic laws. PHOTO: SASHA MASLOV/NYTIMES In New York City, drivers who run red lights get fines. E-bike riders get court dates. NEW YORK – On the morning of May 21, Mr Ivan Boston's day began at the Department of Motor Vehicles office in downtown Brooklyn. Last month, police officers had stopped him for running a red light on his electric bicycle, and Mr Boston, a construction worker, assumed that the DMV was where traffic tickets were paid. But the pink slip of paper in his hand was no traffic ticket. It was a criminal summons. In bold, black letters, it read: 'To avoid a warrant for your arrest, you must go to court.' When Mr Boston noticed, a task he had considered a minor annoyance instead turned into a half-day ordeal. He hurried to court at the David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building, across from City Hall. 'This is ridiculous,' said Mr Boston, 56, whose unplanned day off cost him US$200. 'But I don't want to get a warrant.' Lawyers who spend much of their careers fighting summonses in criminal court find the situation just as baffling. 'These are just not charges that lawyers and judges inside the summons part of the court are used to seeing,' said Mr Gideon Oliver, a lawyer who regularly practises in summons court. 'New Yorkers have had enough' New York City has begun a crackdown on e-bike and scooter riders. It follows actions by city officials from Paris to Honolulu to Hoboken, New Jersey, who are responding to residents angry about zippy vehicles with silent electric motors zooming down sidewalks and streets, often startling people and occasionally hitting pedestrians. As New York City has become more welcoming of bicycles, tensions have risen among drivers and pedestrians. PHOTO: SASHA MASLOV/NYTIMES For years, some New Yorkers have complained about such behaviour, which 'gives people the impression of chaos and disorder,' Ms Jessica Tisch, the city's police commissioner, said at an April news conference at which she announced the enforcement action. 'It erodes our sense of public safety, and New Yorkers have had enough.' That day, officers began staking out intersections across the city around the clock, watching for riders who ignored red lights and stop signs, rode against traffic or on sidewalks, rode under the influence of drugs and alcohol, or were reckless in other ways. There is an irony embedded in the enforcement push. Cyclists who blow through red lights without endangering anyone else can now be forced to appear in court. Drivers who commit the same violation cannot. Instead, drivers face the same traffic ticket they always have: a moving violation with a fine payable by mail. 'It's a really bad escalation, targeting some of the less dangerous vehicles on the city's streets,' said Mr Eric McClure, executive director of StreetsPAC, which lobbies to expand street infrastructure for vehicles other than cars. This week, a month after the crackdown began, the first cyclists to be swept up in it appeared in court. 'You must abide by traffic rules, OK?' Judge Michelle Weber of Manhattan Criminal Court said on May 19 to a food delivery worker who had admitted running a red light. Trump administration officials have criticised the city's expansion of bike lanes. PHOTO: SASHA MASLOV/NYTIMES The enforcement campaign comes as the vehicles Americans choose to use increasingly reflect a new kind of culture war. For years, advocacy groups, including Transportation Alternatives, notched a series of policy wins that gradually empowered cyclists in New York, including a ban on cars in Central Park and the construction of hundreds of miles of bike lanes. In recent years, political conservatives, suburban residents and drivers have fought back. Mr Sean Duffy, the new US transportation secretary, has described a new bike lane on the Queensboro Bridge as 'war on the working class'. 'I do think it's a problem when we're making massive investment in bike lanes at the expense of vehicles,' Mr Duffy said at the 2025 World Economy Summit, as the website Streetsblog reported. Each side preaches safety. The risks of scooters and e-bikes gained prominence in 2021, when Lisa Banes, an actor, was struck and killed on the Upper West Side by a scooter rider who fled the scene. More crashes ensued. Sanja Pohl and her husband, Scott, were walking on 34th Street near Macy's last June when a man on a scooter lost control of the vehicle and crashed into them. Ms Pohl's nose was broken, and she said she now gets debilitating migraines. Sanja Pohl, who was hurt when an e-bike struck her and her husband last year, held a photo showing the resulting injuries to her face at a rally earlier in May. PHOTO: SASHA MASLOV/NYTIMES Her husband was unconscious for five days and had no memory when he came to, she said. He was unable to return to his job at the United Nations for six months, and nearly a year later, he is only able to work part time. Ms Pohl, 44, dreads leaving her apartment because of all the electric vehicles on the streets. 'I've never experienced fear like this,' she said. The relatively recent arrival of scooters and e-bikes has captured most of the attention, but cars are still responsible for most mayhem on the city's streets. Of the 121 pedestrians killed in traffic last year, 120 were struck by a car, while one person died after being hit by an electric bike, according to city transportation department data compiled by Transportation Alternatives. 'Overwhelmingly, the people killed on the street are mowed down by drivers,' said Danny Pearlstein, a spokesperson for Riders Alliance, which advocates for better mass transit. 'If that's not our priority, then we have our priorities wrong.' People who want fewer cars on city's streets worry that the crackdown on cyclists may convince some New Yorkers who are considering riding more often to continue driving cars instead. 'It creates a real dampening effect on the uptake of biking, which we know really can improve safety,' said Ben Furnas, the executive director of Transportation Alternatives. Many e-bike riders and their advocates said they were caught by surprise by the increase in enforcement. The confusion continued on New York's streets and in its courtrooms this week as officers, e-bike riders and lawyers all tried to understand just what the new rules require. 'It's still a traffic violation, which is not conduct the Legislature has defined as a crime,' said Mr Steve Vaccaro, a New York lawyer who has primarily represented cyclists since 2006. 'But it's going to criminal court. So we don't know exactly what happens.' Anger everywhere On April 10, Mr David Rodriguez went to see a boxing match in Brooklyn's Sheepshead Bay section. Afterward, he rode his pedal bike home. Ignoring a red light at one point, he soon heard a police car's siren. Weeks later, he was still angry about it. 'They were real aggressive, as if I had committed an actual crime,' said Mr Rodriguez, a 34-year-old construction worker. 'I didn't know they could pull you over for riding a bike. I wasn't even in a car.' Ms Janet Schroeder, a founder of the NYC E-Vehicle Safety Alliance, is one of the city's loudest voices calling for stronger safety rules for electric bikes and scooters. But the new policy of imposing harsher penalties on e-bikes than on cars goes against her organisation's mission of treating all vehicles equally, she said. 'If it's not the same as what they do for cars, it's ridiculous,' she said. There have long been different standards under the law for different types of vehicles, which sometimes calls for varying approaches to enforcement, a police spokesperson said. Cars must have licence plates, and drivers must carry driver's licences and insurance. Most scooters and e-bikes do not have similar requirements. 'Since e-bikes do not require a licence, drivers of e-bikes can simply ignore their traffic summons with no repercussions whatsoever, making any enforcement futile,' the police spokesperson said. However, the new requirement that cyclists appear in court, or face an arrest warrant if they fail to, creates 'a strong incentive to show up in court'. Some advocates for delivery workers say that the increased scrutiny of cyclists weighs especially heavily on an already vulnerable group. Many people who ride electric bikes in New York are immigrants lacking legal status, working for restaurants and food delivery apps, said Ligia Guallpa, the executive director of Los Deliveristas Unidos, which represents delivery workers. The crackdown on electric bikes and scooters comes in the midst of the Trump administration's aggressive enforcement of immigration law. 'This is a direct attack on immigrant workers,' Guallpa said. 'The intent is to criminalise workers and to create a situation where our communities could be targets for deportation.' The police deny this. People who receive summonses will not be fingerprinted, so their identities will not be logged into a national criminal database, and federal immigration agents are barred from arresting people on state courthouse property. The police spokesperson said the department did not ask about a person's immigration status or cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement on civil immigration matters. Speedy trials Sal Cohen is among the immigrants who received a pink court summons connected to the increased enforcement effort. Originally from Turkey and in the United States on a conditional green card, he had not heard about the push when he rolled through a red light at the intersection of Grand Street and Union Avenue in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighbourhood on his way home from the gym this month. A squad car pulled up alongside him, and he was issued a summons. A week and a half later, Mr Cohen, 28, stood in line outside Courtroom No. 3, on the 16th floor of the municipal building, worried that ICE agents might appear. 'I'm here legally, but you never know,' he said. 'I'm nervous.' A court officer called his case. Mr Cohen walked to the rail and spoke into a skinny microphone. Judge Paul Grosvenor asked if he would accept an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, which would wipe the offence off his record if he had no interactions with the police for a set period of time – in his case, the next 30 days. Some advocates for food delivery workers fear that the enforcement campaign targeting bikes could feed into the Trump administration's immigrant crackdown. PHOTO: SASHA MASLOV/NYTIMES 'Yes, your honour,' Mr Cohen said. 'The application is granted,' Mr Grosvenor said. 'Dismissed.' Mr Boston's case was called next. The judge, facing him, held up the summons and squinted. The officer responsible for the stop had provided scant details about the interaction and had simply noted the offences he claimed Mr Boston had committed: reckless driving and disobeying a red light. The judge frowned. 'I'm going to dismiss as legally insufficient,' he said. After two subway rides and 3½ hours of waiting, Mr Boston's court appearance had lasted 46 seconds. As he left, a few minutes after noon, he felt just as confused as he had when he arrived. 'It's a moving violation, which should go to the DMV,' he said. 'Why am I even in this court?' NYTIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Baton Rouge man arrested, accused of flashing genitals to 16-year-old restaurant employee
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A Baton Rouge man was arrested after reportedly flashing his genitals to a juvenile. Andres Stefano Zambrano, 33, was arrested on charges of indecent behavior with juveniles. According to an affidavit, on May 8, officers with the Baton Rouge Police Department were called to a restaurant on O'Neal Lane. When they arrived, officers learned that a man had exposed his genitals to a 16-year-old employee. During the investigation, officers were informed that Zambrano parked at the establishment and ordered a drink. Customers have the option to place their order, then have an employee bring the customer's food to their vehicles. The 16-year-old employee was bringing Zambrano his beverage when the victim saw his genitals exposed through the bottom of his shorts. The victim advised police that Zambrano was reportedly rubbing his genitals and smiling at them. The victim immediately called out for their manager, which prompted Zambrano to flee the area. The affidavit states the victim was able to take a picture of Zambrano and his vehicle, a Black Mercedes-Benz with a Louisiana license plate, as he was fleeing. Using the photos taken by the victim, officers confirmed the suspect's identity through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) database. Baton Rouge among least expensive US metros to buy a home: Redfin Neuralink patient explains first year of life with brain chip Justice Department, Boeing reach deal to avoid prosecution over 737 Max crashes Infant pajamas sold at Macy's recalled What would a post-car future look like? Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
DMV warns of 'phishing' scams
The state Department of Motor Vehicles is warning customers to be wary of the latest phishing scam, where "bad actors" seek to gain access to personal information by pretending to be from the DMV. According to a DMV news release, this is the latest in a series of such text message phishing schemes that DMV has warned New Yorkers to avoid. Previous scams have claimed that E-ZPass accounts were about to be suspended. Phishing texts are fraudulent messages designed to obtain data or sensitive personal information to be used to commit identity theft or trick the recipient into installing malicious software onto a computer or mobile device. 'These scammers flood phones with these texts, hoping to trick unsuspecting New Yorkers into handing over their personal information,' said DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. 'DMV will not send you texts asking for your personal information.' DMV provides information on these phishing attacks at The state Department of Information Technology Services provides advice on avoiding these phishing attacks: • Be cautious about all communications you receive, including those that claim to be from "trusted entities." Be careful when clicking any links contained within those messages. If in doubt, do not click. • Do not send personal information via email. Legitimate businesses will not ask users to send sensitive personal information through email. • Keep an eye out for telltale signs: poor spelling or grammar, the use of threats, or the URL does not match that of the legitimate site. • Be wary of how much information you post online. The less information you post, the less data you make available to a cybercriminal for use in developing a potential attack or scam. Examples of phishing messages can be found at
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Yahoo
New Mandatory IDs: 4 Documents You Need To Get a Real ID and What It Costs
The REAL ID Act has been 20 years in the making. Introduced for the first time in 2005, the law was designed to 'establish minimum security standards for license issuance and production,' according to On May 7, 2025, the TSA and federal government began enforcing a need for state-issued REAL IDs to board a domestic flight or enter certain federal facilities. Travelers still need a passport for international flights, to cross borders by land or to embark on certain cruise ships that visit international destinations. Read Next: Check Out: If you haven't already gotten your REAL ID, it's not too late. You can make an appointment at your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to get one now. However, you may be able to save the hassle of long DMV lines, and some administrative costs, by waiting until your license is up for renewal. Here's what to know about REAL IDs, including if you need one immediately, how to get one and how much this new travel essential costs. 'If your ID is up for renewal within the next six months and you have no plans to travel by plane or already have an alternate form of ID, it may be worth waiting until your renewal,' advised Katy Nastro, spokesperson and travel expert at Other acceptable forms of ID, according to AAA, include: Valid passport or passport card DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) U.S. military ID Permanent resident card See More: The cost of a REAL ID varies by state. Some states, like Alabama, Oregon and Pennsylvania, charge a fee of $30 or more on top of what you'd normally pay for a license renewal. In some states, you'll only pay the standard license renewal fee. 'I know in New York, for example, they are automatically providing REAL IDs for renewal, but this isn't the case for all states,' Nastro said. 'At a certain point, states may require any driver's license renewal to automatically be a compliant REAL ID.' If you live in a state with an added charge for a REAL ID and plan to fly before your license is up for renewal, another alternative is to get a passport. 'You would be out-of-pocket at least $130 for a passport,' said Nastro. 'So that's the more expensive route to go.' Like the cost of a REAL ID, the documents you'll need to present at the DMV to apply for a REAL ID vary by state. In general, according to you'll need: A document showing your full legal name and date of birth (such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate) Two proofs of address (such as a utility bill, mortgage statement, lease paperwork, bank or credit card statement or pay stub) Proof of your Social Security number If you don't have your Social Security card, you can use a W-2 form, 1099 or a pay stub with your name and Social Security number on it as proof. Editor's note: The Department of Motor Vehicles, or DMV, may be called something different where you live depending on your state. Make sure to check your state rules regarding REAL IDs before heading to a DMV location, as every state has different requirements and some prefer you to fill out an application online or make an appointment to go in person. More From GOBankingRates 5 Luxury Cars That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Spring 2025 8 Items To Stock Up on Now in Case of Tariff-Induced Product Shortages These Cars May Seem Expensive, but They Rarely Need Repairs 6 Big Shakeups Coming to Social Security in 2025 Sources TSA, 'Real ID' Katy Nastro, This article originally appeared on New Mandatory IDs: 4 Documents You Need To Get a Real ID and What It Costs
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Shame on them': Salary hikes for Sacramento officials spark criticism
'Sacramento mayor, council salary increases amid budget talk,' ( May 14) Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty and city council members clearly do not prioritize serving their constituents. They could have worked within the charter rules to route more money to public safety and less into their own pockets. Shame on them. Barbara Stockman Sacramento Opinion 'Newsom calls for cities, counties to adopt policies eradicating homeless encampments,' ( May 12) It boggles the mind that Gov. Gavin Newsom thinks that banning homelessness will make the problem go away. It will take a coordinated, multi-faceted effort — without egos, turf wars or NIMBYism — to solve the problem. Like when California ignored the Employment Development Department and Department of Motor Vehicles debacles, those problems did not fix themselves. What world does the governor live in? Daniel W. Christensen Folsom 'Newsom calls for cities, counties to adopt policies eradicating homeless encampments,' ( May 12) If Gov. Gavin Newsom is going to advocate for policies beloved by the GOP, including not funding social programs, he should change parties officially. PJ Evans Chatsworth 'California has highest estimated Alzheimer's cases in US. These counties have the most,' ( Aug. 3, 2023) California Alzheimer's Disease Centers are in trouble, with some at risk of closure by July, leaving many with Alzheimer's unserved. Established 40 years ago at university medical centers, California's 10 Alzheimer's Centers leverage federal research dollars to expand access to diagnosis, treatment and training for primary care providers. They're critical educational centers for caregivers, medical students and communities of color, who are disproportionately affected and face challenges accessing experts and care. These centers have been consistently underfunded, while demand for their services grows. If they close, patients will face longer wait times and travel longer distances for appointments. State legislators must increase funding for these centers. Without action, we'll lose critical infrastructure and risk being unprepared to serve an aging population. Mark White Sacramento '340B fails Black Californians and helps corporations profit,' ( May 7) NAACP California/Hawaii State Conference President Rick Callender's op-ed claims 340B no longer helps low-income Californians. In decades of practicing medicine and leading a health care organization that served millions of low-income patients, I've seen nothing like it. In California, hospitals used hundreds of millions of dollars in 340B savings in recent years to keep clinics open and medications accessible. UC San Diego and UC Davis alone reported over $560 million combined. That funding supports cancer treatment, prenatal care and prescription access for people who often have nowhere else to turn. 340B isn't perfect, but it is working. If we cut 340B, we won't be fixing a problem. Instead, we'll be cutting off cancer treatment, closing clinics and leaving people without life-saving medicine. Dr. Mario Molina Arlington, Va. 'CA must stop using forever chemicals that harm our health,' ( Aug. 11, 2023) Senate Bill 682 seeks to broadly ban perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, without fully assessing individual risks. It is a costly and premature measure that threatens over 500,000 jobs and nearly $150 billion in gross domestic product. These substances are essential to sectors like aerospace, semiconductors and air conditioning technology. A sweeping ban would burden small and mid-sized businesses, increasing prices and risking job losses. Legislators should reject SB 682 and, instead, back targeted, science-driven regulations that protect public health without jeopardizing California's economy and innovation. Kevin Fay Executive director, Sustainable PFAS Action Network
