Jan 30 - In Brooklyn, two sedans collided in a rear-end crash. The driver of the struck vehicle suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. Both vehicles sustained center back end damage in the evening crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:38 in Brooklyn near 1157 79th Street. Two sedans traveling east collided, with one vehicle rear-ending the other. The driver of the struck sedan, a 30-year-old male wearing a lap belt and harness, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, indicating the rear driver failed to maintain proper attention. Both vehicles sustained damage to their center back ends, consistent with a rear-end impact. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers of distracted driving in urban traffic conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789514 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

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 - 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 23 - Council wants every cyclist in New York to wear a helmet. No helmet, pay a $50 fine. The bill targets riders not already covered by other laws. Debate now sits with the transportation committee.

Bill Int 1173-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced January 23, 2025. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The measure would fine cyclists up to $50 for riding without a helmet, unless already required by other laws. The bill awaits further action in committee.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

Jan 21 - A taxi struck a sedan from behind on Brooklyn’s 72nd Street. The sedan’s female passenger suffered a back contusion. Both vehicles traveled westbound. The crash involved disregard for traffic control, according to the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 72nd Street in Brooklyn at 8:58 AM. A 2022 taxi, traveling westbound, collided with the rear center of a 2012 sedan also heading west. The impact was at the center back end of the sedan and the center front end of the taxi. The sedan carried one female driver, and the taxi had two occupants. A 42-year-old female passenger in the sedan was injured, sustaining a back contusion and classified with injury severity level 3. She was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor twice, indicating driver error related to ignoring traffic signals or signs. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers of driver failure to obey traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787348 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

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 17 - Two SUVs crashed on 92nd Street in Brooklyn. A distracted driver struck a turning car. Both drivers suffered neck injuries. Passengers were hurt. Driver inattention and unsafe speed caused the wreck.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided at 21:48 on 92nd Street near Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn. The eastbound SUV, driven by a man, struck the right side of a southbound SUV making a left turn. The report lists Driver Inattention/Distraction and Unsafe Speed as contributing factors. The eastbound driver suffered a neck contusion. A 62-year-old passenger in the turning SUV sustained whiplash. Both were restrained and conscious after the crash. The report highlights driver distraction and unsafe speed as the causes of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787331 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Jan 16 - A distracted SUV driver struck a sedan from behind on Belt Parkway. The impact injured a 3-year-old passenger in the SUV, causing shoulder and upper arm contusions. The child was restrained and conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, the collision occurred on Belt Parkway around 6 p.m. A 2014 SUV traveling west struck the right rear quarter panel of a 2022 sedan also traveling west. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The SUV carried eight occupants, including a 3-year-old male passenger seated in the right rear, who sustained contusions to the shoulder and upper arm. The child was restrained with a lap belt and harness and remained conscious. The point of impact was the SUV's center back end and the sedan's right front bumper. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to rear-end impacts on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786291 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Jan 15 - A 75-year-old woman was injured crossing Bay Ridge Parkway with the signal when a sedan struck her. She suffered facial contusions and bruises. The driver’s errors remain unspecified, highlighting ongoing dangers at Brooklyn intersections.

According to the police report, a 75-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Bay Ridge Parkway and Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn around 2 p.m. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2020 Porsche sedan struck her. The victim sustained facial contusions and bruises, classified as injury severity level 3, and remained conscious. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the driver or the pedestrian. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were explicitly cited. The absence of identified driver errors in the report underscores the systemic risks pedestrians face even when crossing lawfully at signalized intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786021 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Jan 13 - Senate bill S 1675 would force carmakers to face the facts. Every vehicle gets a pedestrian safety score. The public sees it. No more hiding danger behind steel and glass.

Senate bill S 1675, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 13, 2025, it aims to 'create a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles which shall be posted on the department of motor vehicles' website.' Senator 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 bill demands transparency. It would show the public which cars endanger walkers and which spare them. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the intent is clear: expose the risk, protect the vulnerable.

• File S 1675, Open States, Published 2025-01-13

Jan 8 - A tractor truck slammed into the back of an SUV traveling east on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The SUV driver suffered head injuries and whiplash but was conscious and restrained. The crash was caused by the truck following too closely.

According to the police report, the crash occurred shortly after midnight on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. A tractor truck traveling east struck the center back end of a 2021 SUV, also heading east. The truck's point of impact was its center front end, indicating a rear-end collision. The report cites "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, pointing to the truck driver's error. The SUV driver, a 38-year-old male, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was secured by a lap belt and harness. There is no indication of victim fault or contributing behaviors from the SUV driver. This collision highlights the dangers of tailgating on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784584 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Jan 8 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly crossings for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, forces the Department of Transportation to install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. The bill, sponsored by Farah N. Louis (primary) and co-sponsored by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, Ariola, and others, passed on March 15, 2025. The law demands annual reporting on compliance and reasons for any delay. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Quick, visible lines cut confusion and protect people crossing or riding. The law took effect immediately.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 7 - Two pedestrians suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after an SUV failed to yield while making a left turn on Senator Street. Both were conscious and injured at the intersection, highlighting driver failure to yield right-of-way as the critical factor.

According to the police report, a 2020 BMW SUV, traveling east and making a left turn on Senator Street, struck two pedestrians crossing at an intersection without a signal. Both pedestrians, aged 26 and 32, sustained abrasions to their knees and lower legs and were conscious at the scene. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor in the crash. The SUV's point of impact was the center front end, and despite the collision, the vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. Both pedestrians were crossing without a signal or crosswalk indication, but the report emphasizes driver error—specifically failure to yield—as the cause. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrians were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784385 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Jan 6 - A southbound bicyclist was struck by an SUV making a right turn on Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries and lost consciousness. Police cited the SUV driver’s failure to yield and improper lane usage as causes.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn at 1 p.m. A 54-year-old female bicyclist traveling south was hit by a 2023 Mercedes SUV making a right turn southwest. The point of impact was the SUV’s right front bumper striking the cyclist. The bicyclist sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, was unconscious at the scene, and experienced minor bleeding. The report lists the SUV driver’s errors as "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" and "Passing or Lane Usage Improper." The cyclist was not ejected and was not wearing any safety equipment. The report does not attribute any contributing factors to the bicyclist. The collision highlights the dangers posed by vehicle drivers failing to yield and misusing lanes during turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784093 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Jan 1 - A bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries after an SUV turning right struck him head-on. The crash occurred on 65th Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn. Driver inattention was cited as the cause, highlighting systemic dangers for cyclists.

According to the police report, at 6:00 PM on 65th Street near Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn, a 2024 SUV driven by a licensed female driver was making a right turn when it collided with a bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist, a 45-year-old man, sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. There is no indication that the bicyclist's behavior contributed to the collision. The SUV driver’s failure to maintain attention while turning created a hazardous situation, resulting in significant harm to the vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783157 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Jan 1 - A white Audi struck Michael Foster on Caton Avenue. The car dragged him for blocks. The driver never stopped. Foster died in the street. The Audi vanished into the night. No arrests. The city’s danger stays.

NY Daily News reported on January 1, 2025, that Michael Foster, 64, was killed after a white Audi hit him on Caton Ave. near Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn. The driver, described as speeding, dragged Foster for half a mile before leaving him near Linden Blvd. and Nostrand Ave. The article quotes a witness: "I saw him at the stop light. He would go out to the cars and beg for change." The driver fled the scene and has not been caught. No arrests have been made. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians in city streets and the ongoing issue of hit-and-run drivers evading responsibility.

• Audi Driver Drags Man Half Mile, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-01