Do they just not enforce traffic lights in Manhattan? Pedestrians have the right of way at the intersection when the walk signal is on.
Instead, drivers making turns often don't yield to them, and run red lights too (bikers also completely blow through them). This is not just aggressive. It's reckless, illegal, and going to kill somebody. They would be thrown in jail if they tried to drive like this in California.
If the city has a revenue problem, I'm surprised they don't just post some cops around to hand out tickets like candy.