Jun 23 - Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani pushes a bill to raise registration fees for heavy vehicles. The move comes as injuries and deaths from SUVs surge. Lawmakers say the fees will fund safer streets. The city’s children pay the price for oversized cars.

Assembly Bill (no number cited) was introduced by Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani and Senator Andrew Gounardes on June 23, 2023. The bill, now under consideration, would 'raise the existing by-weight registration fees to make them more likely to disincentivize the purchase of larger cars.' The proposal responds to a Transportation Alternatives report showing a 91% jump in injuries and a 75% rise in fatalities from large vehicle crashes between 2016 and 2019. Mamdani, at a press conference, said, 'This is an initiative to make our streets safer for our children.' Gounardes added, 'We the public has had to bear the cost of people's decisions to drive these mini-tanks.' The bill earmarks new revenue for street safety projects, aiming to protect vulnerable road users from the growing threat of oversized vehicles.

• Report Provides More Reasons to Rein in Supersized SUVs (As If You Needed More), streetsblog.org, Published 2023-06-23

Jun 20 - A sedan turning left struck a moped going straight on 5 Avenue in Brooklyn. The moped driver was ejected and suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the cause. The rider remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 2015 sedan was making a left turn on 5 Avenue when it collided with a southbound moped traveling straight ahead. The moped driver, a 28-year-old man, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The sedan's point of impact was its left front quarter panel, while the moped's damage was centered on its front end. The moped driver was conscious after the crash. No other contributing factors or safety equipment details were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4639980 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 16 - A sedan struck an SUV’s rear on Smith Street. Metal tore. A 57-year-old woman bled from the face but stayed conscious. Speed and failure to yield cut her down. The street fell silent. The crash left pain and quiet in its wake.

A sedan collided with the rear quarter of an SUV at Smith Street and 5th in Brooklyn. The impact left a 57-year-old woman, the SUV driver, bleeding from the face. According to the police report, 'Speed and failure to yield left their mark.' The crash involved unsafe speed and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. The woman remained conscious but suffered severe facial bleeding. The data lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as driver errors. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report. The crash underscores the danger when drivers ignore speed limits and right-of-way rules.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4638250 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 14 - A 32-year-old moped driver was injured and ejected after an SUV made a left turn on Union Street in Brooklyn. The moped struck the SUV’s front end. The rider suffered abrasions and upper arm injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 2021 SUV traveling north on Union Street made a left turn and collided with a westbound moped. The moped driver, a 32-year-old man wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained upper arm and shoulder injuries along with abrasions. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as a contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver did not yield to the moped. The impact occurred at the SUV’s center front end and the moped’s left front quarter panel. The moped driver was conscious after the crash. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4641043 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 13 - A southbound SUV made a U-turn and struck a northbound sedan on 8th Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan’s driver suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries. Police cited driver inattention as a contributing factor. The driver was restrained and remained in shock.

According to the police report, a southbound station wagon/SUV was making a U-turn on 8th Avenue in Brooklyn when it collided with a northbound sedan. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the SUV and the right rear quarter panel of the sedan. The sedan’s 32-year-old male driver was injured, sustaining abdominal and pelvic trauma and was in shock. He was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The SUV had two occupants, and the sedan had one. The crash caused damage to the right front quarter panel of the SUV and the right rear bumper of the sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4638106 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 8 - Sammy’s Law would let New York City drop speed limits to 20 mph on deadly streets. Council Member Gutierrez led the charge. Brooks-Powers joined. Streets scarred by crashes and deaths. Lower speeds mean fewer bodies broken. The city waits. Lives hang in the balance.

Sammy’s Law, debated by the NYC Council and State Legislature, seeks home rule for New York City to lower speed limits from 25 to 20 mph on dangerous streets. Council Member Jen Gutierrez carried the resolution; Selvena Brooks-Powers later signed on. The bill targets corridors like Bushwick Avenue, Laurelton Parkway, and East Gun Hill Road—sites of hundreds of crashes and dozens killed or maimed since 2019. The matter summary states: 'Because people are dying and being maimed on New York's most-dangerous 25-mile-per-hour streets.' Supporters, including State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, cite the science: lower speeds mean less force, fewer deaths. Research shows 20 mph zones cut crashes by 60 percent. The bill does not mandate, but allows, lower limits where carnage is highest. The council’s action centers the lives of pedestrians and cyclists, demanding the city act before more are lost.

• MAP QUEST: See Exactly Why Sammy’s Law Would Be So Crucial for the Boroughs, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-08

Jun 8 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Jun 6 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Jun 6 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Jun 2 - The city stalls on urgent BQE repairs. Politicians warn of collapse. DOT promises safety, but delays automated truck enforcement. Council and experts slam the six-lane rebuild plan. Vulnerable road users face continued danger as timelines slip and pollution persists.

This debate centers on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) and the city's slow response to its crumbling structure. The matter, discussed on June 2, 2023, involves no formal bill but features heated criticism in the City Council and from state officials. Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon called the city's planning 'shortsighted' and warned of 'catastrophic' consequences if the cantilever collapses. Council Member Lincoln Restler voiced 'disappointment' over DOT's delay in automated truck weight enforcement. The Adams administration is considering a full six-lane rebuild, which Simon says would be 'just as polluting and climate insensitive.' DOT claims the BQE is safe and promises interim repairs, but work on a permanent fix may not start until 2027. Local officials expect more delays due to community opposition and litigation. Vulnerable road users remain at risk as the city fails to act swiftly.

• Is the City Running Out of Time to Avoid a BQE Catastrophe? Some Think So, But DOT Says Its Plan Will Work, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-02

Jun 1 - Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2023-06-01

May 31 - Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2023-05-31

May 31 - Albany lawmakers refuse to vote on Sammy’s Law. The bill would let New York City lower speed limits below 25 mph. Council and mayor back it. Assembly leadership stalls. Streets stay dangerous. Families wait. The city’s hands remain tied.

Sammy’s Law, named after 12-year-old Sammy Cohen Eckstein, would let New York City set speed limits below the state’s 25 mph minimum. The bill, carried by State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, stalled in the Assembly despite strong support from the City Council and Mayor. Council Member Jen Gutierrez called the refusal to vote 'unbelievable,' saying, 'Families across the city deserve this vote.' Amy Cohen, Sammy’s mother, called the inaction 'unconscionable.' Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon said the bill lacks support to reach the floor. The bill passed the City Council’s home rule message but faces Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie’s resistance. The session ends June 8. Without action, the city cannot lower speed limits to protect pedestrians and cyclists.

• Sammy’s Law Not Expected to Pass in Assembly, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-31

May 30 - An SUV made a right turn and struck an e-bike traveling north on 3 Avenue in Brooklyn. Two 19-year-olds on the e-bike suffered knee and lower leg fractures. The driver of the SUV turned improperly, causing the collision. Both victims remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 2017 SUV was making a right turn on 3 Avenue in Brooklyn when it collided with an e-bike traveling straight north. The e-bike carried two 19-year-old occupants, a male driver and a female passenger. Both sustained fractures and dislocations to their knees and lower legs. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor for the SUV driver and 'Other Vehicular' for the e-bike driver. The SUV's right front bumper struck the e-bike's center front end. Neither victim was ejected or wearing safety equipment. The SUV driver was licensed in New Jersey. The collision caused visible damage to the SUV's right front bumper but no damage to the e-bike.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4633526 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 29 - SUV ran the light. Hit a 22-year-old cyclist hard on Court Street. Rider thrown, scraped, hurt all over. Driver failed to yield. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

According to the police report, a station wagon/SUV struck a 22-year-old male bicyclist at Court Street and West 9 Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions and injuries to his entire body. The SUV hit the bike’s right side with its front center. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as driver errors. The bicyclist was not wearing safety equipment, as noted after the driver’s actions. The crash underscores the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls and fail to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4632990 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 28 - Two sedans smashed on Atlantic Avenue. One driver cut lanes. Metal buckled. A 32-year-old man took the hit—shoulder and arm bruised. Night air thick with sirens. Both cars scarred. No one thrown from the wreck.

According to the police report, two sedans collided near 69 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn at 11:45 p.m. A 32-year-old male driver suffered shoulder and arm injuries. The crash happened when one sedan changed lanes unsafely and struck the other, which was traveling straight. The report lists "Unsafe Lane Changing" as the contributing factor. Both vehicles showed damage: right side doors and front quarter panel on one, left front bumper on the other. Both drivers were licensed. No ejections occurred.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4635728 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 26 - NYPD and Jo Anne Simon call for tougher drunk driving laws. Police ramp up DWI patrols for Memorial Day. Officials urge Albany to drop legal BAC to .05%. They cite rising deaths. Advocates say alcohol fuels a third of crashes. Streets stay deadly.

On May 26, 2023, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon (District 52) joined NYPD and city officials to announce increased traffic enforcement for Memorial Day and to advocate for state legislation lowering the legal blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) threshold from .08% to .05%. The announcement, made at One Police Plaza, highlighted the bill sponsored by Simon and Sen. John Liu. The matter summary states, 'Officials called on Albany to pass legislation to lower the BAC threshold to .05%, arguing it would reduce DWI fatalities by about 10% and align with other countries.' Simon declared, 'Lowering the BAC limit from .08% to .05% is desperately needed to adequately tackle this epidemic of traffic violence.' NYPD Chief Kim Royster and DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez echoed the urgency. The bill awaits action in Albany. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but officials cite 43 NYC DWI deaths in 2021 and say 30% of state crashes involve alcohol.

• NYPD to step up enforcement of drink driving over Memorial Day weekend, amny.com, Published 2023-05-26

May 25 - A sport utility vehicle backed unsafely into a sedan stopped in traffic on Union Street in Brooklyn. The sedan’s driver, a 34-year-old man, suffered a back contusion. The SUV driver was unlicensed. Both vehicles sustained rear and front-end damage.

According to the police report, a 2003 SUV backed unsafely into a 2005 sedan stopped in traffic on Union Street in Brooklyn. The sedan’s driver, a 34-year-old man, was injured with a back contusion and remained conscious. The SUV driver was unlicensed, contributing to the crash. The point of impact was the center back end of the SUV and the center front end of the sedan. The sedan was traveling east going straight ahead, while the SUV was stopped in traffic before backing. The report lists "Backing Unsafely" as the primary driver error. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4633529 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 25 - A six-year-old girl crossing Flatbush Avenue with the signal was struck by an unlicensed male cyclist. The impact fractured her knee and lower leg. The driver failed to yield and was distracted. The child was conscious but seriously injured.

According to the police report, a six-year-old female pedestrian was injured at an intersection on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. She was crossing with the signal when a male cyclist, traveling north and unlicensed, struck her with the center front end of his bike. The child suffered fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The cyclist was going straight ahead and did not yield to the pedestrian. The victim was conscious at the scene and sustained serious injuries. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4631989 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 24 - Council backs home rule for Sammy’s Law. The move lets New York City set speed limits below 25 mph. Lawmakers and advocates say lower speeds mean fewer deaths. The bill honors Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a reckless driver. The vote puts safety first.

Bill: Home rule message for Sammy’s Law. Status: Poised for passage by the City Council on May 24, 2023. Committee: State and Federal Legislation, chaired by Council Member Shaun Abreu. The measure, titled 'City Council Poised to Pass ‘Home Rule’ Message for Sammy’s Law on Thursday,' lets New York City lower speed limits below 25 mph. Council Member Jen Gutierrez announced the Council’s intent to pass it, calling it crucial for safety. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'The city's ability to control the speed limits on its streets plays a crucial role in delivering traffic safety.' Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Mayor Eric Adams, and State Senator Andrew Gounardes all support the move. The bill honors Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a reckless driver. Data cited shows lower speed limits increase pedestrian survival. Advocates stress urgency to protect New Yorkers.

• City Council Poised to Pass ‘Home Rule’ Message for Sammy’s Law on Thursday, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-24