Addressing Hazardous Turning Into Bus Lanes On Hylan Boulevard

Borough President Vito Fossella and NYPD Staten Island Borough Commander Melissa Eger addressed the dangerous surge of motorists making hazardous and unlawful right-handed turns from the middle lane instead of the bus lane on Hylan Boulevard.

From the start of 2025, this pattern has led to 32 accidents, including seven in the last month.

Bus lanes lining Hylan Boulevard can be used to make a right-hand turn and can be used for all other travel outside of the posted hours, however dangerous and unlawful turning has become commonplace, stemming from a misunderstanding of these rules.

The posted hours in which the bus lanes can’t be used for right-hand turns are 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. towards the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. towards Tottenville.

“Just as importantly, even when it is a bus-only lane, if you want to make a right- hand turn you can get into that lane a block or so before to do so,” said Borough President Fossella during a press conference outside of the 122nd Precinct in New Dorp. “We know of 32 accidents, but there are probably hundreds of other close calls.”

Borough President Fossella is calling upon the city to “take a more proactive approach,” which could include more signage, signs in the roadbed, or larger signs on poles.

NYPD Borough Commander Eger said unsafe turning behaviors “have become far too common across Staten Island, but especially along the corridor of Hylan Boulevard.”
“These actions put drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists at serious risk -- and they are completely avoidable, as well,” said NYPD Borough Commander Eger. "Our message to our public, to our Staten Island community is clear and simple: Use the bus lanes properly, turn safely, and follow these rules. When necessary, we will and we do enforce, but our main goal is to always prevent injuries and to save lives and to keep our roadways safe for our community. So, let’s break this habit of unsafe turns and let’s work together to keep our streets safe for everyone.”

(Video footage courtesy of Community Media of Staten Island)