Feb 22 - A Ford SUV struck the rear of a Honda sedan traveling west on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Two 21-year-old male passengers in the sedan suffered contusions. Police cited alcohol involvement as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 4:10 AM on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. A 2019 Ford SUV was parked before the crash and impacted the center back end of a 2010 Honda sedan traveling west. The sedan's center front end sustained damage. Two male occupants, both 21 years old and passengers in the sedan, were injured with contusions and remained conscious. Both were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report identifies alcohol involvement as a contributing factor to the collision. The driver errors include failure to maintain control or proper attention, as implied by the alcohol involvement, leading to the SUV striking the sedan from behind. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794126 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 19 - Trump killed congestion pricing. The MTA sued. Advocates warn: more cars, more crashes, dirtier air. Transit funding gutted. Disabled riders lose elevators. Streets grow deadlier. Politicians vow to fight. The city braces for gridlock and loss.

""By blocking this successful policy, Trump will be directly responsible for more traffic, more crashes, more polluted air, slower buses and less funding for our transit system," he continued. "This means no new station elevators for elderly and disabled riders, and no new subway signals to speed up commutes for working New Yorkers."" -- Andrew Gounardes

On February 19, 2025, the Trump administration withdrew federal approval for New York City's congestion pricing program. U.S. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy cited burdens on working-class drivers and questioned the legality of using toll revenue for transit. The MTA immediately filed a lawsuit to challenge the move, arguing the program is settled law and already reduces congestion. State Senators Andrew Gounardes and Zellnor Myrie condemned the action, warning, 'Trump will be directly responsible for more traffic, more crashes, more polluted air, slower buses and less funding for our transit system.' The withdrawal aligns with New Jersey's opposition and threatens transit upgrades like elevators for elderly and disabled riders. Local officials and advocates say ending congestion pricing will harm vulnerable road users and worsen street danger.

• Trump Withdraws Federal Approval for Congestion Pricing, Blowing Hole in Transit Budget, as MTA Files Lawsuit, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-19

Feb 18 - A BMW X5 veered off Belt Parkway near Exit 14. The SUV struck a tree. Marcus Joseph, 41, died at the scene. No passengers. No bystanders hurt. The crash left only silence and wreckage on the Brooklyn road.

NY Daily News (2025-02-18) reports Marcus Joseph, 41, died after his BMW X5 spun out of control on the Belt Parkway near Exit 14 in Starrett City, Brooklyn. Police said the SUV 'skidded off the road and slammed into a tree.' Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The article does not mention weather or road conditions. The incident highlights the dangers of high-speed corridors like the Belt Parkway, where loss of control can prove fatal. No charges were filed. The report underscores the persistent risks for all road users on New York City highways.

• BMW Skids, Slams Tree On Belt Parkway, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-18

Feb 18 - Assembly bill A 5623 would make parking in crosswalks a crime. Drivers who block pedestrian paths face misdemeanor charges. Law aims to keep crossings clear. Pedestrians get space. Streets breathe.

Assembly bill A 5623, titled the "New York State pedestrian right-of-way protection act," was introduced on February 18, 2025. The bill sits at the sponsorship stage. It would make it an unclassified misdemeanor to stop, stand, or park a vehicle in a pedestrian right-of-way. Jo Anne Simon (District 52) is the primary sponsor, joined by Scott Gray (District 116) and Joe DeStefano (District 3) as co-sponsors. The bill targets drivers who block crosswalks, aiming to protect pedestrian space and reduce danger at crossings. No safety analyst note is available.

• File A 5623, Open States, Published 2025-02-18

Feb 17 - A van traveling north collided with the rear of a flatbed truck on Brooklyn’s 6th Avenue. The impact injured a 65-year-old female passenger in the van, causing whole-body trauma and shock. Driver distraction contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, at 9:20 AM on 6th Avenue in Brooklyn, a van traveling north struck the center back end of a flatbed truck also moving north. The collision caused damage to the front of the van and the rear of the truck. A 65-year-old female passenger seated in the middle rear seat of the van suffered injuries to her entire body, experienced shock, and complained of pain or nausea. The report cites driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash, indicating a failure to maintain proper focus on the road. No contributing factors were assigned to the injured passenger. The crash involved multiple vehicles, but the primary error was the van driver's lack of attention leading to a rear-end collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793347 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 15 - A pick-up truck struck a sedan from behind on Flatbush Ave in Brooklyn. The crash injured three male passengers in the sedan, all suffering neck injuries and whiplash. Driver distraction and following too closely caused the collision.

According to the police report, at 21:08 on Flatbush Ave in Brooklyn, a pick-up truck traveling north rear-ended a sedan also traveling north. The point of impact was the center back end of the sedan and the center front end of the truck. The truck driver was cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely.' The sedan carried four occupants; three male passengers aged 26, 34, and 51 were injured with neck injuries and complaints of whiplash. None of the injured passengers were ejected or wearing safety equipment. Vehicle damage was noted on the truck's front end but not on the sedan. The report highlights driver errors—distraction and tailgating—as the primary causes, with no contributing factors attributed to the passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793564 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 14 - Assembly bill A 5440 targets reckless drivers. It makes car owners pay when their vehicles run red lights. Cameras catch the lawbreakers. The aim: fewer crashes, safer streets for all.

Assembly bill A 5440 was introduced on February 14, 2025, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled "Imposes owner liability for failure of an operator to comply with traffic control indicators within the city of New York," seeks to hold vehicle owners accountable when their cars violate traffic signals, using camera enforcement. Assembly Member Steven Raga sponsors the bill, joined by Rebecca Seawright, Tony Simone, Yudelka Tapia, Karines Reyes, and Marcela Mitaynes as co-sponsors. No safety analyst note is available. The bill aims to curb dangerous driving and protect vulnerable road users by making owners answer for violations caught on camera.

• File A 5440, Open States, Published 2025-02-14

Feb 13 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

Feb 13 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

Feb 8 - A 19-year-old bicyclist suffered bruises and arm injuries after a Mercedes SUV passed too closely on Union Street in Brooklyn. The driver’s improper passing and passenger distraction led to the collision. The cyclist remained conscious and was not ejected.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:50 AM on Union Street near 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. A Mercedes Benz SUV, occupied by two people, was parked before the crash but then passed the bicyclist improperly, striking the cyclist on the right side doors. The bicyclist, a 19-year-old male, was injured with contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists the driver’s errors as "Passing Too Closely" and "Passing or Lane Usage Improper," with an additional factor of "Passenger Distraction." The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected but suffered injury severity level 3. The cyclist was unhelmeted, but no victim behavior was cited as contributing. The vehicle damage was reported as none, indicating the impact was likely from close contact rather than a high-speed collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791284 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 5 - A 39-year-old man crossing Prospect Place with the signal was struck by a westbound sedan. The vehicle’s left front bumper impacted the pedestrian, causing a hip and upper leg contusion. Driver inattention was cited as the cause.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Prospect Place in Brooklyn at 10:31 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a westbound sedan struck him on the left front bumper, impacting his hip and upper leg. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash, repeated twice, highlighting the driver’s failure to maintain focus. The vehicle sustained damage to its left front quarter panel. The pedestrian suffered a contusion and was conscious at the scene. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior were noted. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead. This crash underscores the dangers posed by distracted driving in urban settings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791283 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 30 - A driver fell asleep on the Gowanus Ramp. Cars crashed. A one-year-old girl, strapped in the back seat, took a blow to the head. She suffered whiplash. The road turned brutal in a blink.

According to the police report, a multi-vehicle crash erupted at 10:35 on the Gowanus Ramp in Brooklyn. The report states a driver fell asleep, causing a chain collision involving SUVs, a sedan, and a box truck. A one-year-old female passenger, secured in a child restraint in the left rear seat, suffered head injuries and whiplash. Her injuries were classified as severity level 3. The police report lists 'Fell Asleep' as the primary driver error. No contributing factors related to the victim were noted. This crash highlights the danger of driver fatigue on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789882 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 29 - A pick-up truck struck a stopped sedan on Bay Street in Brooklyn. The sedan’s driver, a 24-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Bay Street in Brooklyn at 14:26. A pick-up truck traveling east rear-ended a sedan that was stopped in traffic. The impact struck the center back end of the sedan and the center front end of the truck. The sedan’s driver, a 24-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and whiplash, wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating the truck driver failed to maintain a safe distance behind the sedan. Both drivers were licensed and traveling eastbound. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision highlights driver error in maintaining safe following distance, resulting in injury to the sedan occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789347 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 27 - Senate bill S 3387 demands complete street design in all DOT projects with state or federal funds. Streets must serve walkers, cyclists, and riders. No more car-first roads. Sponsors push for safer, fairer streets.

Senate bill S 3387, now in sponsorship, sits before the New York State Senate. The bill, titled 'Relates to requiring inclusion of complete street design for state and local transportation projects subject to oversight by the department of transportation,' would force all DOT projects using state or federal funds to include complete street design. Senator Andrew Gounardes leads as primary sponsor, joined by Patricia Fahy, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, and Liz Krueger. Their action aims to end car dominance and put vulnerable road users first. The bill was introduced January 27, 2025. No safety analyst note is available.

• File S 3387, Open States, Published 2025-01-27

Jan 26 - A cargo van turned left on Cropsey Avenue. It struck Mayya Gil, 95, and her aide. Gil died. The aide survived. No charges for the driver. Another senior lost to city traffic. The street remains dangerous for the old and frail.

Gothamist (2025-01-26) reports that Mayya Gil, 95, was killed while crossing Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn with her home health aide. According to the NYPD, 'a man driving a cargo van struck both of them while making a left turn.' Gil died from her injuries; her aide was hospitalized. Police did not arrest or charge the driver. The article notes that Gil was the second elderly pedestrian killed in Brooklyn this year, and cites Transportation Alternatives: '46 senior pedestrians were killed in car crashes across the city last year.' The crash highlights the ongoing risk seniors face on city streets, especially at intersections where turning vehicles endanger those crossing on foot.

• Elderly Woman Killed Crossing Cropsey Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-01-26

Jan 24 - A 27-year-old man suffered chest injuries and shock after a sedan made a right turn and struck him in a marked crosswalk. The impact hit the vehicle's right front bumper. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal at the time of collision.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling southwest on Court Street made a right turn and struck a 27-year-old male pedestrian crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper, which sustained damage. The pedestrian suffered chest injuries and was in shock but had no visible complaints. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian and does not identify any driver errors explicitly. The pedestrian was at the intersection, crossing when the collision occurred. No driver license or occupant information was provided. The crash highlights the dangers posed by turning vehicles at intersections where pedestrians are present.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788061 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 24 - Speed cameras slash reckless driving. At school zones, speeding drops 94 percent. But the program expires soon. DOT Commissioner Rodriguez urges Albany to act. State Sen. Gounardes backs expansion. Cameras save lives. Delay risks more deaths. Lawmakers hold the key.

Bill to reauthorize New York City's speed camera program is pending in Albany. The program, covering 750 school zones, needs state approval before June. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez calls speed cameras 'one of the most effective tools' to stop deadly driving. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, who sponsored the last reauthorization, says, 'my bill to expand the speed camera program has saved lives.' The city wants stronger penalties for repeat offenders and action on license plate fraud, which lets millions of violations go unpunished. The report shows cameras cut speeding by 94 percent and reduce injuries and deaths. The program faces political hurdles, but the evidence is clear: speed cameras protect people on foot and bike. Lawmakers must decide whether to keep this life-saving tool.

• DOT to Albany: Don’t Forget to Reauthorize Our Life-Saving Speed Cameras, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-24

Jan 21 - Senator Gounardes pushes S 2504. The bill hikes fines for repeat speed camera violations. It targets reckless drivers. The aim: slow cars, save lives. No direct safety impact noted yet.

Senate bill S 2504 was introduced on January 21, 2025, and is at the sponsorship stage. The bill, sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, proposes 'increasing fines for subsequent speed camera violations in the city of New York.' No committee referral or vote has occurred yet. Gounardes leads the push to penalize repeat offenders. There is no formal safety analyst note on the impact for vulnerable road users at this stage.

• File S 2504, Open States, Published 2025-01-21

Jan 21 - Assembly bill A 2642 orders new safety tech in every car. The DMV must set rules. Lawmakers push for change. Streets could see fewer crashes. The fight for safer roads moves to Albany.

Assembly Bill A 2642, now in sponsorship, would require advanced safety technology in all vehicles statewide. The bill, introduced January 21, 2025, directs the DMV commissioner to set rules and regulations. The matter reads: 'Mandates the use of advanced safety technology in vehicles in the state; requires the commissioner of motor vehicles to promulgate certain rules and regulations.' Brian Cunningham leads as primary sponsor, joined by Steven Raga, Chris Burdick, Tony Simone, Manny De Los Santos, Jen Lunsford, and Jo Anne Simon. The bill aims to force carmakers and drivers to adopt life-saving tech. No safety analyst has yet assessed its direct impact on vulnerable road users.

• File A 2642, Open States, Published 2025-01-21

Jan 19 - A sedan following too closely rear-ended another sedan on Union Street in Brooklyn. The impact injured a 26-year-old rear passenger with neck whiplash. Slippery pavement worsened the crash, highlighting driver error and hazardous road conditions.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:25 on Union Street in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling east slowed or stopped, while another sedan, also traveling east, failed to maintain a safe distance and rear-ended the first vehicle. The report cites "Following Too Closely" as the primary driver error contributing to the collision. Additionally, "Pavement Slippery" was noted as a factor worsening the crash. The impact was centered on the front end of the striking vehicle and the rear end of the struck vehicle. A 26-year-old male rear passenger in the struck sedan sustained neck injuries described as whiplash and was conscious at the scene. There is no indication of victim fault or contributing behavior. The crash underscores the dangers of tailgating combined with poor road conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786857 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18