Five Dead in a Year. Still No Action.

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24

A box truck struck an e-scooter head-on on Myrtle Avenue. The e-scooter driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The truck driver ignored traffic controls and sped. Both vehicles damaged at front and right side. The rider was conscious but bruised.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling east on Myrtle Avenue collided with an e-scooter traveling west. The e-scooter driver, a 51-year-old man, was injured with contusions and trauma to his knee and lower leg. The truck driver disregarded traffic controls and was driving at an unsafe speed, contributing to the crash. The point of impact was the truck's right front quarter panel and the e-scooter's center front end. The e-scooter driver was not ejected and remained conscious after the collision. The truck sustained damage to its right side doors. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as driver errors. No helmet or signaling factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4599737 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 46-year-old woman crossing Myrtle Avenue was hit by a sedan. She suffered hip and leg injuries. Police cite improper lane use. A parked taxi was also struck. Speed and driver error shaped the crash.

According to the police report, a 46-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn, not at an intersection or crosswalk. She was struck by a 2021 Jeep sedan traveling eastbound. The sedan hit her with its center front end, causing hip and upper leg injuries and leaving her in shock. The report lists driver errors as "Passing or Lane Usage Improper." A parked taxi was also struck at its center back end by the sedan. No contributing factors were attributed to the pedestrian. The crash underscores driver mistakes in lane usage as the primary cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4600210 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.

Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.

• File A 1280, Open States, Published 2023-01-13

Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.

Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.

• File A 1280, Open States, Published 2023-01-13

Senate bill S 343 seeks a clear, public safety score for cars. The DMV would post these ratings. Lawmakers push for sunlight on danger. Pedestrians face risk. The system aims to expose it.

Senate bill S 343 was proposed on January 4, 2023. It sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Creates a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles,' would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to post these ratings online. Primary sponsor Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The measure targets transparency. It puts the danger of cars in plain sight. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 343, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

Two SUVs crashed on Knickerbocker Avenue at 4:30 a.m. The driver of one vehicle suffered neck injuries and shock. The collision damaged the left front bumper of one SUV and the left rear quarter panel of the other. Brakes were defective.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Knickerbocker Avenue. The driver of one SUV, a 43-year-old man, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected. The report lists defective brakes and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The point of impact was the left front bumper of one vehicle and the left rear quarter panel of the other. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead in different directions at the time of the crash. The driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4594717 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 73-year-old man was struck while crossing Halsey Street in Brooklyn. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered bruises and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The vehicle showed no damage. The man remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 73-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Halsey Street at an intersection in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the crash occurred. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor by the driver. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The vehicle involved was traveling west, going straight ahead, and showed no damage after the collision. No other contributing factors or safety equipment were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4592875 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 44-year-old woman was hit while crossing a marked crosswalk on Wilson Avenue. The SUV failed to yield right-of-way, striking her at the front center. She suffered bruises and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Wilson Avenue. The driver of a 2012 Chevrolet SUV traveling north failed to yield the right-of-way, causing a collision at the vehicle's center front. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Glare' as contributing factors. No other driver errors or victim faults are noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4591269 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Two SUVs collided on Saint Nicholas Avenue. A six-year-old girl in the back seat took the hit. Head injury. Whiplash. She stayed conscious. Failure to yield right-of-way caused the crash.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided on Saint Nicholas Avenue in Brooklyn. One SUV made a left turn and struck a southbound SUV. A six-year-old female passenger in the left rear seat suffered head injuries and whiplash. She was restrained with a lap belt and harness and remained conscious. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the cause of the crash. No other contributing factors or victim errors are noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4592582 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A driver making a right turn struck a bicyclist traveling north on Wilson Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist was ejected and suffered fractures to his knee and lower leg. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield as causes.

According to the police report, a vehicle turning right on Wilson Avenue collided with a bicyclist going straight north. The bicyclist, a 34-year-old man wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg. The report lists driver errors including inattention and failure to yield right-of-way. The impact occurred at the vehicle's left front bumper and the bike's left rear quarter panel. The cyclist was conscious but seriously injured. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4594354 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 41-year-old SUV driver crashed on Knickerbocker Avenue. Alcohol and distraction cited. He suffered an eye abrasion. No other people hurt. The SUV struck an object head-on. Streets stayed quiet, danger clear.

According to the police report, a 41-year-old man driving a 2019 Audi SUV crashed on Knickerbocker Avenue. The vehicle struck an object with its center front end. The driver suffered an eye abrasion and was the only person injured. Police listed alcohol involvement and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. No other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists were involved. The driver was licensed in Oregon and wore a lap belt and harness. The crash happened as the SUV traveled straight ahead. Damage was limited to the vehicle's front.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4590310 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

City plans to widen the BQE, restoring three lanes each way. Locals and advocates slam the move. They wanted fewer cars, less pollution, and safer streets. Officials focus on beautification. Vulnerable road users remain at risk. The fight continues.

On December 14, 2022, the city unveiled plans to redesign the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE), proposing to restore three lanes of traffic in each direction. The Department of Transportation cited federal and state rules for the widening. The plan, discussed in a public meeting, drew sharp criticism. The matter summary reads: 'proposing three similar options for a redesign that will restore three lanes of traffic in each direction, with a park on top.' Liz Denys of Bridges 4 People called out the city for ignoring creative ideas and failing to reduce car and truck traffic. William Meehan criticized the focus on beautification over safety. Council Member Lincoln Restler urged a reduction in car impacts, while Borough President Antonio Reynoso condemned the neglect of environmental justice. Advocates say the plan keeps vulnerable road users in danger and misses a chance to make streets safer.

• Locals Don’t Love the City’s Long-Awaited Re-Widening of Crumbling BQE, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-14

An e-bike rider struck the side of a parked SUV on Bushwick Avenue. The 27-year-old cyclist suffered facial abrasions but remained conscious. Police cited failure to yield and improper lane usage as contributing factors. The rider was not ejected.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old male e-bike rider traveling south on Bushwick Avenue collided with the left side doors of a parked Nissan SUV. The rider sustained facial abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The report lists driver errors including failure to yield right-of-way and improper passing or lane usage. The cyclist's confusion or error was also noted as a contributing factor. The e-bike rider was not ejected from the vehicle. The SUV driver was licensed and the vehicle was stationary before impact. No helmet or signaling issues were mentioned as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4586470 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 66-year-old woman driving an SUV was injured in a collision with a taxi on Pilling Street in Brooklyn. The SUV struck the taxi’s left front bumper. The driver was not ejected and wore a lap belt and harness. Police cited traffic control disregard.

According to the police report, a 66-year-old female driver of a 2016 SUV traveling west on Pilling Street collided with a taxi. The SUV’s left front bumper struck the taxi, which sustained no damage. The SUV driver was injured and experienced shock but was not ejected from the vehicle. She was wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating a driver error related to ignoring traffic signals or signs. No other contributing factors were specified. The taxi had no occupants and no damage. The incident occurred in Brooklyn’s 37th council district.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4586781 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso demands more. He wants car-free streets in Brooklyn, longer than Manhattan’s. He pledges funding. He rejects short, patchwork routes. The city drags its feet. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for safe, open roads.

On November 29, 2022, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso called on the Department of Transportation to expand the Summer Streets program into Brooklyn. Reynoso insists the new corridor must be at least as long as Manhattan’s six-and-a-half-mile stretch, not just a patchwork of short Open Streets. He told Streetsblog, "We have to think about, long-term, having a route that is as long if not longer than the one Manhattan does." Reynoso commits city funding to make this happen. The Adams administration has yet to announce plans. The matter, described as 'expansion of car-free Summer Streets program to Brooklyn,' remains in policy advocacy, with support from public-space advocates. Reynoso’s push centers on opening streets to pedestrians and cyclists, not just for events, but as a lasting, borough-wide change.

• Bigger and Better: Brooklyn BP Wants Summer Streets Longer Than Manhattan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-29

An SUV making a U-turn struck an eastbound e-scooter on Halsey Street. The scooter rider was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg fractures. The driver followed too closely on slippery pavement, causing the crash.

According to the police report, a 41-year-old male e-scooter rider was injured when a station wagon/SUV made a U-turn and collided with him on Halsey Street. The rider was ejected and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Pavement Slippery' as contributing factors. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling eastbound, while the e-scooter rider was passing eastbound. The point of impact was the SUV's left front quarter panel and the scooter's center front end. The rider was wearing a helmet, but the crash was caused by the driver's failure to maintain safe distance and control on slippery pavement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4585215 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Motorcycle and SUV slammed together on Menahan Street. Three people hurt. One man thrown from his bike. Head, back, and shoulder injuries. Speed and blocked views fueled the crash.

According to the police report, a motorcycle and an SUV collided on Menahan Street in Brooklyn. The 24-year-old motorcycle driver was ejected and suffered head injuries. The SUV driver, 22, and a 35-year-old female passenger were also injured, with back and shoulder trauma. The report lists unsafe speed and view obstructed or limited as contributing factors. The motorcycle driver had no safety equipment and held only a permit license. The SUV occupants wore lap belts and harnesses. The crash damaged the front ends of both vehicles. No pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4584620 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 51-year-old man crossing Knickerbocker Avenue in a marked crosswalk was hit by a vehicle’s left front bumper. He suffered bruises and leg injuries. The driver’s actions caused the crash. No vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a 51-year-old male pedestrian was crossing Knickerbocker Avenue at a marked crosswalk when a vehicle struck him with its left front bumper. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists no contributing factors for either the driver or the pedestrian. The vehicle showed no damage. The driver’s actions led to the collision, injuring the pedestrian as he crossed legally. No helmet or signaling issues were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4583310 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A sedan and SUV collided on Evergreen Avenue. Both drivers were distracted. Two people in the sedan suffered bruises to the shoulder, arm, abdomen, and pelvis. The crash left bumpers smashed and lives shaken.

According to the police report, a sedan and a sport utility vehicle collided on Evergreen Avenue. Both drivers were inattentive and distracted. The sedan driver was also inexperienced. Two occupants in the sedan were injured: a 25-year-old male driver with shoulder and upper arm bruises, and a 21-year-old female front passenger with abdomen and pelvis contusions. Both were conscious and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The impact damaged the left front bumper of the sedan, the right front bumper of the SUV, and the right rear bumper of a parked sedan. Driver inattention and inexperience were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4581097 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14