Two Dead, Still No Fix: City Lets Third Avenue Kill

Council backs harsher penalties for drivers who hide plates. Obscured tags let reckless motorists dodge cameras and tickets. The bill aims to stop evasion and protect people on city streets.

Resolution 0866-2023, filed by the Committee on Public Safety, urges Albany to pass S.2447/A.5234. The measure, sponsored by Council Member Robert F. Holden, calls for increased penalties for purposefully obstructed license plates. The resolution states: 'increase the penalties for purposefully obstructed license plates.' It was introduced and voted on in December 2023. The bill would let authorities confiscate plate coverings, suspend registrations, and block VINs. Obscured plates let drivers evade speed and red-light cameras, putting pedestrians and cyclists at risk. The council wants tougher enforcement to keep streets safer for all.

• File Res 0866-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-12-20

Council backs harsher penalties for drivers who hide plates. Obscured tags let reckless motorists dodge cameras and tickets. The bill aims to stop evasion and protect people on city streets.

Resolution 0866-2023, filed by the Committee on Public Safety, urges Albany to pass S.2447/A.5234. The measure, sponsored by Council Member Robert F. Holden, calls for increased penalties for purposefully obstructed license plates. The resolution states: 'increase the penalties for purposefully obstructed license plates.' It was introduced and voted on in December 2023. The bill would let authorities confiscate plate coverings, suspend registrations, and block VINs. Obscured plates let drivers evade speed and red-light cameras, putting pedestrians and cyclists at risk. The council wants tougher enforcement to keep streets safer for all.

• File Res 0866-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-12-20

A 26-year-old man on an e-scooter was injured in Brooklyn. The SUV driver failed to yield while making a right turn. The rider suffered a head injury and shock. The crash damaged the front of the scooter and the SUV’s right front panel.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn when a 2015 Chevrolet SUV made a right turn and struck a southbound e-scooter. The e-scooter driver, a 26-year-old man, was injured with a head injury and experienced shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The SUV driver was licensed and from Ohio. The e-scooter rider was not wearing any safety equipment. The impact was to the center front end of the scooter and the right front quarter panel of the SUV. The rider was not ejected but sustained injury severity level 3. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4688367 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Two SUVs crashed at 2 Avenue in Brooklyn. One driver, a 46-year-old man, suffered a back injury. Both vehicles hit front right bumpers. The crash happened during a left turn and straight travel. Driver distraction caused the collision.

According to the police report, two station wagons/SUVs collided on 2 Avenue in Brooklyn. One driver, a 46-year-old male, was injured with a back injury and remained conscious. The female driver was making a left turn while the male driver was going straight. Both vehicles sustained damage to their right front bumpers. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. No other causes or victim errors were noted. The injured driver was not ejected and was wearing unknown safety equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4688211 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A forklift backing west struck a 73-year-old woman in Brooklyn. She was off the roadway, suffering knee and lower leg abrasions. The vehicle showed no damage. The pedestrian remained conscious despite injuries to her foot and leg.

According to the police report, a forklift was backing west near 529 63 Street in Brooklyn when it struck a 73-year-old female pedestrian. The woman was not in the roadway at the time. She sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists "Backing Unsafely" as the contributing factor for the crash. The forklift showed no damage from the impact. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but not ejected. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4687612 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A GMC SUV traveling south struck another vehicle making a right turn on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. Two occupants in the SUV suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash involved improper lane usage. Both injured remained conscious and were not ejected.

According to the police report, a 2004 GMC SUV traveling south on 4 Avenue collided with another vehicle making a right turn. The impact occurred at the left front bumper of the SUV and the right front bumper of the other vehicle. Two occupants in the SUV, a 43-year-old female driver and a 15-year-old male front passenger, sustained neck injuries and whiplash. Both were conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The crash caused damage to the front bumpers of both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4687545 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Red Hook chokes on truck fumes. Lawmakers move. The Clean Deliveries Act aims to cut emissions from sprawling e-commerce warehouses. Kristen Gonzalez and others demand action. Diesel trucks crowd narrow streets. Pollution and danger rise. Residents pay the price.

Bill: Clean Deliveries Act. Announced November 29, 2023. Status: Proposed. Committee: Not specified. Lawmakers, including State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez (District 59), call for strict regulation of emissions from last-mile e-commerce warehouses. The bill would require environmental reviews for warehouses over 50,000 square feet, mandate plans to cut air pollution, and push for zero-emission delivery vehicles. Gonzalez said, 'The unchecked growth of large warehouses in neighborhoods across NYC has worsened air quality, noise pollution, and traffic safety for everyday New Yorkers.' Assembly Member Marcela Mitaynes, a co-sponsor, highlighted the link between warehouse traffic, pollution, and traffic violence. The Red Hook Business Alliance and community advocates back the bill, citing heavy truck traffic, poor air, and threats to safety in working-class neighborhoods. The legislation aims to hold warehouse operators accountable and protect residents from the mounting toll of delivery-driven pollution and danger.

• Lawmakers say influx of e-commerce warehouses has spiked greenhouse gas emissions in Red Hook, urge regulation, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-11-29

Two vehicles collided on 44 Street in Brooklyn. A 24-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The SUV struck the sedan’s rear left bumper. Police cited driver inattention as a contributing factor. No ejections occurred.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 44 Street in Brooklyn involving a 2014 SUV and a 2015 sedan, both traveling south. The SUV’s right front bumper impacted the sedan’s left rear bumper. The sedan’s 24-year-old male driver was injured, sustaining neck pain and whiplash. He was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. Both drivers were licensed in New York. Vehicle damage was noted on the sedan’s left rear bumper, while the SUV showed no damage. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to rear-end collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4681551 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Two SUVs collided on the Gowanus Expressway. The trailing driver struck the lead vehicle’s rear. The driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles damaged front and rear. Following too closely caused the crash.

According to the police report, two SUVs traveling west on the Gowanus Expressway collided when the trailing vehicle struck the rear of the lead vehicle. The driver of the trailing SUV, a 44-year-old man, was injured with neck pain and whiplash. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor. Both vehicles sustained damage to their center front and back ends. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4678032 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 31-year-old male bicyclist was injured on 36 Street near 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan was parked but involved in improper lane usage. The cyclist suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. The crash damaged the bike’s front end.

According to the police report, a bicyclist riding north on 36 Street was struck due to a sedan’s improper passing or lane usage. The 31-year-old male cyclist, wearing a helmet, sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan was parked before the crash and showed no damage. The bike’s center front end was damaged. The report lists the driver error as "Passing or Lane Usage Improper." The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected. No other contributing factors were noted. The incident highlights the dangers posed by driver lane violations to vulnerable cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679662 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A Jeep hit a parked Toyota on 39th Street. The Toyota lurched forward. The driver, a 47-year-old man, was found unconscious and crushed. Illness struck before the crash. Sirens wailed, but help came too late.

A Jeep traveling west on 39th Street near 2nd Avenue in Brooklyn struck a parked Toyota. The impact forced the Toyota forward, severely injuring its 47-year-old driver. According to the police report, 'Illness took hold before impact.' The driver was found unconscious, suffering crush injuries to his entire body. The police list 'Illnes' as the contributing factor in the crash. No other driver errors are noted in the report. The Toyota was parked at the time of the collision. The report does not mention any actions by the injured driver that contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4676732 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program died on October 26, 2023. No new law replaced it. Repeat speeders now face only $50 fines. City leaders showed no urgency. State bills to curb reckless driving have stalled. Vulnerable road users remain exposed.

The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP) expired on October 26, 2023. No replacement policy was enacted. The program, which targeted drivers with 15 or more speed camera violations in a year, was criticized for weak enforcement: only 885 took the mandated safety course, and just 12 vehicles were seized. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, District 31, was mentioned in coverage, but city officials, including Mayor Adams and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, showed little urgency. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi said, "We need sharper tools." State Senator Andrew Gounardes has proposed new bills, including mandatory speed governors for repeat offenders. With DVAP gone, repeat speeders face only minor fines, leaving dangerous drivers unchecked. The city and state have failed to act, leaving vulnerable road users at risk.

• A 'Dangerous' Sunset: What's Next for Reining In Reckless Drivers?, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-10-25

The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program died. No new law stands in its place. City Hall drags its feet. Reckless drivers keep rolling. State efforts stall. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain exposed. The streets stay dangerous. The clock runs out. Nothing changes.

The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP) expired on October 25, 2023, with no replacement from the City Council or Mayor Adams. The bill targeted drivers with 15 camera-issued speeding tickets in a year, but few took the mandated safety course and almost no vehicles were seized. The matter summary: 'The program launched with a simple idea of getting reckless drivers' vehicles off our streets, so it's incredibly frustrating and disappointing that we're in this situation,' said Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Mayor Adams showed little urgency. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi said, 'We will look to the advocacy world for support to go to the state and get better restrictions and better enforcement tools.' State Sen. Andrew Gounardes is pushing for speed governors and tougher laws, but state efforts have failed. The city’s inaction leaves vulnerable road users at risk. No effective tools remain.

• A ‘Dangerous’ Sunset: What’s Next for Reining In Reckless Drivers?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-25

Two sedans collided on the Gowanus Expressway. The rear vehicle, driven by an unlicensed male, struck the front vehicle from behind. A 50-year-old male passenger in the rear car suffered a facial contusion. The crash was caused by following too closely.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling westbound on the Gowanus Expressway collided when the rear vehicle struck the front vehicle's center back end. The rear driver was unlicensed and failed to maintain a safe distance, contributing to the crash. A 50-year-old male passenger in the rear sedan was injured, sustaining a facial contusion but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The front vehicle was driven by a licensed female driver. The collision caused damage to the center front end of the rear vehicle and the right rear bumper of the front vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673107 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 45-year-old female bicyclist passenger suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after an SUV struck her e-bike on 41 Street near 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV was making a right turn at unsafe speed. The victim was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a 45-year-old female bicyclist passenger was injured when a 2023 Mazda SUV, traveling west and making a right turn, collided with an e-bike traveling south on 41 Street near 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist suffered abrasions to her knee and lower leg and remained conscious. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor for the crash. The SUV driver failed to adjust speed while turning, leading to the collision. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673449 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Red Hook wants a direct bus to Manhattan. The MTA says no. Residents wait. Cars clog the tunnel. Advocates demand space for buses, not excuses. The city’s working class and disabled riders are left stranded. The fight for fair transit continues.

On October 23, 2023, Red Hook residents and advocates renewed calls for a direct bus route to Manhattan. The Red Hook Civic Association sent a letter urging the MTA to create a regular-fare bus through the Hugh Carey Tunnel. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes backed the push, saying, "The people of Red Hook really deserve this." The MTA rejected the idea, citing congestion in the tunnel and Lower Manhattan. Joana Flores, MTA spokesperson, said it is more efficient for riders to transfer to the subway. Critics, including Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance, countered, "Bad traffic is not an excuse for not improving bus service, it’s an impetus for decongesting the street." Past proposals to extend the M22 or restore the B71 with a Manhattan extension were dismissed over cost and logistics. Advocates argue that buses move more people than cars and that congestion pricing should clear the way for better transit. The proposal remains stalled, leaving vulnerable riders waiting.

• Red Hook Pushes for Direct Bus to Manhattan; MTA Says (Wait for It) There’s Too Much ‘Congestion’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-23

A 13-year-old girl was struck at a Brooklyn intersection. She was crossing against the signal when hit by a vehicle’s front center. She suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea.

According to the police report, a 13-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing 3 Avenue near 57 Street in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal when a vehicle struck her at the center front end. She sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock with complaints of pain and nausea. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the driver, nor does it specify vehicle details or driver errors. The pedestrian’s action of crossing against the signal is noted, but no driver violations were recorded in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673094 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 59-year-old male bicyclist was injured in Brooklyn after a rear-end collision. The cyclist suffered abrasions to the face but was conscious and not ejected. The crash involved confusion or error by the bicyclist. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a 59-year-old male bicyclist traveling south on 7 Avenue in Brooklyn was injured in a rear-end collision. The bicyclist sustained abrasions to the face and remained conscious. The report lists the contributing factor as "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion," indicating an error or confusion on the part of the bicyclist. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The collision involved two vehicles traveling south, with impact to the center back end of the bicyclist's bike. No damage was reported to the other vehicle. The report does not indicate any driver errors beyond the bicyclist's confusion.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4671979 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A sedan traveling south struck an eastbound e-bike on its left side doors at 7 Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-bike driver, a 41-year-old woman, suffered facial abrasions. Police cited driver inattention and improper lane usage as contributing factors.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 7 Avenue in Brooklyn involving a sedan and an e-bike. The e-bike driver, a 41-year-old woman, was injured with abrasions to her face. The sedan struck the left side doors of the e-bike while both vehicles were traveling straight ahead. The report lists driver inattention and improper passing or lane usage as contributing factors for the crash. The e-bike driver was not ejected and was riding with one other occupant. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling south. The crash caused damage to the left side doors of the e-bike and the right front bumper of the sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4671668 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Mayor Adams left Ashland Place unfinished. Cyclists lost a safe route. Advocates, officials, and residents rallied. They blamed City Hall for caving to a developer. The most dangerous block remains untouched. Eighty-eight crashes scar the street. Safety took a back seat.

On October 13, 2023, local officials and advocates criticized Mayor Adams for halting the Ashland Place redesign. The project, led by the Department of Transportation, aimed to create a protected bike lane from the Manhattan Bridge to Barclays Center. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said, "New York City is regressing on meeting its Vision Zero goals ... and stalled street safety improvements, like those slated for Ashland Place, are a part of the reason why." State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Council Member Crystal Hudson joined the outcry, with Hudson lamenting the incomplete corridor for cyclists. The DOT confirmed the southernmost block would not be converted, following objections from developer Two Trees Management. Advocates cited 88 crashes and multiple injuries in two years, with the most dangerous block excluded from improvements. Residents and advocates rallied, accusing the mayor of prioritizing business over public safety. City Hall deflected, blaming e-bikes for rising cyclist deaths.

• Pols, Advocates Slam Mayor Adams for Unfinished Ashland Place, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-13