Jan 4 - E-scooter slammed into a man off 4 Avenue. The pedestrian took the hit to his knee and foot. Aggressive riding and distraction fueled the crash. He stayed conscious. Brooklyn pavement marked by bruises.

According to the police report, an e-scooter traveling south on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn struck a 42-year-old male pedestrian who was not in the roadway. The pedestrian suffered contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists aggressive driving and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The point of impact was the center front end of the e-scooter. The pedestrian remained conscious after the crash. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. This incident shows the risk aggressive and distracted e-scooter operators pose to pedestrians, even those outside the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4597069 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 4 - Senate bill S 153 cracks down on bus lane violators. Owners face liability. Cameras catch drivers blocking buses. Sponsors push for stronger enforcement. Streets clear for buses, danger cut for those on foot.

Senate bill S 153, sponsored by Liz Krueger (District 28) with Andrew Gounardes (26) and Brad Hoylman-Sigal (47) as co-sponsors, is at the sponsorship stage. Introduced January 4, 2023, it 'relates to owner liability for failure of operator to comply with bus operation-related local law or regulation traffic restrictions and to the adjudication of certain parking infractions.' The bill extends a bus rapid transit demonstration program, using cameras to enforce bus lane rules. No safety analyst note was provided. The sponsors aim to hold vehicle owners accountable and keep bus lanes clear, a move that can reduce risk for pedestrians and bus riders.

• File S 153, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

Jan 4 - 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

Jan 3 - A cyclist hit a parked sedan on Smith Street. She flew from her bike. Blood on her arm. The crash came with blocked views. The sedan stood still. The street did not forgive.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old woman riding north on Smith Street struck the left side doors of a parked 2021 Toyota sedan. The bicyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions to her elbow and lower arm. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor. The sedan was parked and the driver was licensed. No other driver errors were noted. The bicyclist wore a motorcycle helmet, but no helmet-related factors contributed. The impact was at the bike's front and the sedan's left doors. The cyclist remained conscious after the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4597358 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 2 - Ambulance and sedan slammed together on 3 Street near 3 Avenue. Both women behind the wheel bruised. Metal twisted. Driver inattention and bad lane use fueled the wreck.

According to the police report, a BMW sedan and an FDNY ambulance collided head-on while traveling straight on 3 Street in Brooklyn. Both drivers, women aged 36 and 62, suffered bruises to the neck and arm. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors for the crash. The sedan was hit on its left side doors and quarter panel. The ambulance took damage to its left front bumper. Both drivers remained conscious and were not ejected. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4595246 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 28 - Brooklyn council members pressed NYC Parks to lift the e-bike ban in Prospect Park. They called the ban unjust. They said e-bikes are not trucks. They want safer, fairer access for riders, families, and workers. The fight is not over.

On December 28, 2022, Councilmember Rita Joseph (District 40), along with Shahana Hanif and Crystal Hudson, urged NYC Parks to allow e-bikes in Prospect Park. The matter, titled 'E-Bikes Are Not Allowed in Prospect Park, But These BK Pols Think They Should Be,' centers on a letter sent December 20 to the Parks Commissioner. The council members wrote, 'The parks department has no justification for classifying e-bikes in the same category as SUVs or trucks.' They condemned the blanket ban, arguing it blocks access for delivery workers and families. Joseph and her colleagues oppose the current ban and the classification of e-bikes as motor vehicles. Their action highlights the need for policies that protect and include vulnerable road users, not punish them.

• E-Bikes Are Not Allowed in Prospect Park, But These BK Pols Think They Should Be, bkreader.com, Published 2022-12-28

Dec 22 - Councilmember Rita Joseph and colleagues demand the Parks Department lift the e-bike ban in Prospect Park. They say the rule punishes workers and families. E-bikes are legal on city streets. The ban blocks access and forces riders into danger elsewhere.

On December 22, 2022, Councilmember Rita Joseph (District 40) joined Crystal Hudson and Shahana Hanif in urging the Parks Department to repeal the Prospect Park e-bike ban. The matter, titled 'Brooklyn pols call for repeal of Prospect Park e-bike ban,' highlights how the current policy keeps e-bikers out of the park, even after citywide legalization. The councilmembers wrote, 'E-bike users include delivery workers who keep us fed, families on cargo bikes, individuals recovering from surgery, older adults, people who live in areas with fewer public transit options, those who want to limit their carbon footprint by not driving cars, and so many more.' They argue the ban unfairly targets vulnerable riders and blocks access for those who rely on e-bikes for work and daily life. The Parks Department’s stance forces e-bike users onto more dangerous streets, undermining safety and equity. The councilmembers call for a new, inclusive policy shaped by community input.

• Brooklyn pols call for repeal of Prospect Park e-bike ban, amny.com, Published 2022-12-22

Dec 22 - City and state officials want to drop the legal blood-alcohol limit to 0.05. The bill sits in committee. Drunk drivers killed 42 people last year. Officials talk tough but focus on drinking, not driving. The danger remains for those outside the car.

Senate and Assembly bill, sponsored by Sen. John Liu and Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, seeks to lower New York’s drunk driving threshold from 0.08 to 0.05 percent BAC. Announced at a December 22, 2022 press conference, the bill has stalled in committee for years. The matter aims to redefine DWI: 'driving while intoxicated would be defined as anything above a blood-alcohol content of 0.05 percent.' Simon and Liu back the measure; city DOT and NYPD leaders joined them. DOT Deputy Commissioner Margaret Forgione said, 'There is not really a safe level of drinking and driving, but the law suggests there is.' In 2021, 42 people died in drunk driving crashes, up 60 percent from previous years. Officials promise enforcement and education, but their messaging targets drinking, not the act of driving. Vulnerable road users remain at risk while the law lags.

• How to Cut Drunk Driving — Discourage the Drinking … Or the Driving?, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-12-22

Dec 22 - City officials push Albany to drop the drunk driving threshold from 0.08 to 0.05 percent. The bill lingers in committee. Drunk drivers killed 42 New Yorkers last year. Messaging still centers on not drinking, not on not driving.

Senate Bill sponsored by John Liu and Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon seeks to lower New York’s DWI blood-alcohol threshold from 0.08% to 0.05%. The bill, re-submitted in the last legislative session, remains stuck in committee. At a December 22, 2022 press conference, DOT Deputy Commissioner Margaret Forgione said, 'There is not really a safe level of drinking and driving, but the law suggests there is.' Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and NYPD’s Kim Royster also spoke, focusing on enforcement and urging drivers to avoid drinking before driving. Advocates like Alisa McMorris of Mothers Against Drunk Driving called for stronger messaging: 'We want people to make choices before they leave their home.' Despite evidence that lowering the threshold could cut traffic deaths by 10%, city messaging still stops short of telling people not to drive to events where they plan to drink.

• How to Cut Drunk Driving — Discourage the Drinking … Or the Driving?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-22

Dec 21 - A sedan struck the right rear bumper of a pickup truck on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Two passengers in the sedan suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash happened as the sedan changed lanes. Both injured passengers remained conscious.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway changed lanes and collided with the right rear bumper of a pickup truck going straight ahead. Two occupants in the sedan, a 34-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman, were injured with neck pain and whiplash. Both passengers were conscious and not ejected. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to maintain a safe distance. The sedan sustained damage to its left front quarter panel. The pickup truck showed no damage. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4593625 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 21 - Three Brooklyn council members want e-bikes back in Prospect Park. They say the current ban lumps e-bikes with trucks and SUVs. They argue e-bikes help New Yorkers move without cars. The Parks Department’s rule, they say, sends the wrong message.

On December 21, 2022, Council Members Shahana Hanif (Park Slope), Crystal Hudson (Prospect Heights), and Rita Joseph (Prospect Lefferts Gardens) issued a public letter urging the Parks Department to end its ban on e-bikes in Prospect Park. The letter states, 'E-bikes are legal to ride on New York City streets and make moving around the city more accessible without adding more pollution and congestion.' The council members oppose the Parks Department’s policy that classifies e-bikes as motor vehicles, grouping them with SUVs and trucks. They argue this ban blocks access for delivery workers, families, older adults, and people with limited transit options. The lawmakers call for a new policy that permits e-bikes while addressing safety concerns, insisting the current rule undermines city values of accessibility and environmental care.

• Three Council Members Whose Districts Surround Prospect Park Demand the Return of E-Bikes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-21

Dec 14 - Drivers hide plates. Cameras miss them. Streets stay dangerous. Senator Gounardes pushes a bill to pay citizens for reporting illegal plates. Police claim action, but advocates see little change. The bill sits in committee. Ghost cars keep rolling.

State Senator Andrew Gounardes introduced a bill in 2022 to reward citizens who report illegal license plates. The bill remains in committee. The measure would give whistleblowers 25% of the ticket, up to $75. The matter targets drivers who obscure or remove plates to dodge automated enforcement. As city and state agencies rely more on cameras to catch speeders and red-light runners, more drivers hide their plates. The Department of Transportation says cameras failed to ticket over 4% of violators last fall, up from 1% in 2019. Advocates accuse police of lax enforcement and even breaking the law themselves. Gounardes’s bill, still stalled, aims to close this loophole and put power in the hands of citizens. Vulnerable road users remain at risk while enforcement lags.

• Guerilla activists fight back against NYC drivers who hide license plates to evade tolls and tickets, gothamist.com, Published 2022-12-14

Dec 13 - A 43-year-old woman crossing Park Place with the signal was hit by an eastbound SUV making a left turn. The vehicle passed too closely, causing a head abrasion. Glare impaired the driver's vision. The pedestrian was injured but conscious.

According to the police report, a 43-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Park Place in Brooklyn with the signal. The crash involved a 2019 Ford SUV traveling eastbound and making a left turn. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' and 'Glare' as contributing factors. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The driver's error of passing too closely created a dangerous situation that led to the collision. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4589567 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 12 - A 58-year-old woman crossing Atlantic Avenue with the signal was struck by an oversized vehicle. She suffered fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The vehicle showed no damage. The pedestrian remained conscious after the impact.

According to the police report, a 58-year-old female pedestrian was crossing Atlantic Avenue at an intersection with the signal when she was hit by an oversized vehicle traveling east. The pedestrian sustained serious injuries, including fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The vehicle's point of impact was its left front bumper, but it showed no damage. The report lists "Oversized Vehicle" as a contributing factor, indicating the vehicle's size played a role in the crash. There is no mention of driver license status or other driver errors. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision and was injured at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4589610 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 7 - Two sedans crashed at 13 Street and 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. A 7-year-old girl in the rear left seat suffered a head contusion. Police cited traffic control disregard and passenger distraction as factors. Both vehicles showed front bumper damage.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at the intersection of 13 Street and 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The first vehicle was traveling south, the second making a left turn southeast. The crash injured a 7-year-old female occupant seated in the left rear passenger seat of one sedan. She sustained a head contusion but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating a driver failed to obey traffic signals or signs. Passenger distraction was also noted but secondary. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front bumpers, confirming a frontal impact. No ejections occurred. The drivers were male; one licensed in New York, the other with unspecified license status.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4588169 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 7 - A woman crossed with the signal at Union and 8th. A Suburban turned right. The bumper struck her knee. She fell. Her leg was crushed. Shock set in. The SUV stopped. The street stayed quiet.

A 31-year-old woman was crossing Union Street at 8th Avenue in Brooklyn with the signal when a Suburban SUV made a right turn and struck her. According to the police report, the vehicle’s right front bumper hit her knee, causing her to fall and suffer crush injuries to her leg. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was in shock after the crash. The SUV sustained no damage. No other injuries were reported among the vehicle occupants. The woman’s injuries were severe, and the scene remained calm after the impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4588175 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 4 - A motorcycle struck a stopped sedan on Union Street in Brooklyn. The motorcyclist was ejected and suffered upper leg injuries. The sedan driver was unhurt. The crash happened during morning traffic. Following too closely caused the collision.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling west on Union Street rear-ended a sedan stopped in traffic. The motorcyclist, an unlicensed 23-year-old male, was ejected and sustained injuries to his hip and upper leg. The sedan driver was not injured. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor. The motorcycle's point of impact was the center front end, while the sedan was hit at the center back end. The motorcyclist was conscious after the crash. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4587106 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 2 - Van and SUV slammed together on Hamilton Avenue. Both drivers ignored traffic controls. Two women in the SUV suffered head and neck injuries. Whiplash. Metal and glass. Brooklyn morning, no mercy.

According to the police report, a van and an SUV collided on Hamilton Avenue at Court Street in Brooklyn. Both vehicles were making left turns and disregarded traffic controls, leading to the crash. The SUV's front end struck the van's left side. Two women in the SUV, ages 55 and 39, suffered head and neck injuries, including whiplash. Both were conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the main driver error for both vehicles. No other contributing factors, such as helmet use or signaling, were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4587598 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 1 - Police arrested Adam White for removing plastic from a hidden plate. Charges dropped. Council Member Restler pushes Int. 501: fines for blocking lanes, rewards for civilian reporting. Politicians call for accountability. Defaced plates shield reckless drivers. Streets stay dangerous.

On December 1, 2022, Brooklyn Council Member Lincoln Restler renewed his push for Int. 501, a bill to fine drivers $175 for blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, or hydrants near schools, and to reward civilians with 25% of the fine for reporting violations. The matter arose after attorney Adam White was arrested for removing plastic from an obscured license plate; charges were later dropped by Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, citing 'insufficient evidence.' The bill, discussed at a press conference, aims to crack down on license plate defacement and illegal parking, which Restler says is rampant among city workers and police. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes introduced a similar bill at the state level. Both lawmakers stress the need for public accountability and tougher enforcement to protect vulnerable road users from drivers who evade responsibility.

• Attorney Arrested for ‘Criminal Mischief’ Charge Will Sue Driver for Wrongful Arrest, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-01

Nov 28 - A 26-year-old woman on an e-scooter was injured in a collision with an SUV on 3 Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV struck the scooter’s right side doors as it turned left. The scooter driver suffered shoulder and arm bruises and shock.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old female e-scooter driver was injured when a Ford SUV traveling east on 3 Avenue struck her scooter on the right side doors. The scooter driver was making a left turn while the SUV was going straight ahead. The report lists driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" for the scooter driver, and "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Turning Improperly" for the SUV driver. The scooter driver suffered a contusion and bruising to the shoulder and upper arm and was in shock. Neither driver was ejected from their vehicle. The SUV driver was licensed in New York; the scooter driver’s license status was not provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4585913 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19