No More Bodies in the Crosswalk: Demand Action Now

A sedan turned left on Glenwood Road. A motorcycle tried to pass. Metal hit metal. The rider flew from his bike. Blood on the street. One man injured. Police say lane use was improper. Brooklyn night, sirens wail.

A crash on Glenwood Road at East 82nd Street in Brooklyn involved a sedan and a motorcycle. According to the police report, the sedan was making a left turn when the motorcycle, traveling east and attempting to pass, collided with the car. The impact ejected the 41-year-old male motorcyclist, who suffered severe lacerations and injuries to his lower leg and foot. He was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. No other serious injuries were reported. The sedan’s driver and passenger were not ejected and had unspecified injuries. The motorcyclist was unlicensed at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818237, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A motorcycle slammed into a fire truck on Flatbush Avenue near Avenue U. The rider was ejected and killed. Five others in the fire truck escaped serious harm. Unsafe speed played a role. The street stayed quiet, but the damage was done.

A deadly crash unfolded late at night on Flatbush Avenue at Avenue U in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a motorcycle and a fire apparatus collided. The 30-year-old motorcycle driver was ejected and killed, suffering crush injuries to his entire body. Five occupants in the fire truck, including its driver, were not seriously hurt. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor in the crash. The motorcycle driver was unlicensed. The report notes the use of a helmet by the motorcyclist, but only after citing unsafe speed as a factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The toll: one life lost, a city street marked by violence.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815725, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A stolen Porsche sped down the Belt Parkway. Police set a roadblock. The driver swerved, nearly hitting a lieutenant. A shot rang out. The car crashed. One man died. The state investigates. The road stayed dangerous.

ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that a man was killed after a police-involved shooting during a stolen car stop in Brooklyn. Officers, following new NYPD pursuit rules, did not chase but instead set a roadblock. According to NYPD Chief John Chell, 'We didn't pursue the vehicle, we strategically radioed ahead to shut down traffic.' The driver, Jumaane Wright, swerved toward officers, nearly striking a lieutenant, who fired a single shot. Wright crashed a mile later and died at the hospital. The Attorney General's investigation is standard for such incidents. The case highlights risks in high-speed police interventions and the ongoing challenge of balancing pursuit policies with public safety.

• Police Roadblock Ends In Fatal Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-05-02

A sedan hit a 68-year-old woman crossing Flatlands Avenue with the signal. She suffered a head wound and severe bleeding. The driver failed to yield. The crash left her in shock. The intersection bore the mark of violence.

A sedan traveling north on Flatlands Avenue at East 84th Street struck a 68-year-old woman as she crossed with the signal. According to the police report, the woman suffered a head injury, severe bleeding, and was left in shock. The driver, a 41-year-old man, was making a left turn when the collision happened. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the driver. The impact point was the left front bumper, damaging the center front end of the sedan. The pedestrian was following the signal. Systemic danger persists when drivers fail to yield at crossings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809832, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council passed a bill forcing taxis and for-hire cars to post warnings on rear doors. The decals tell riders to watch for cyclists before swinging open. The law aims to cut dooring. Signs come free from the city. Cyclists face less risk.

Int 0193-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, moved through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed the Council on May 1, 2025. The bill reads: 'requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door.' Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Jennifer Gutiérrez and a long list of co-sponsors. The Council voted overwhelmingly in favor. The law orders all taxis and for-hire vehicles to post warning decals on rear passenger doors, alerting riders to check for cyclists before opening. The Taxi and Limousine Commission will provide the signs at no cost. The measure targets dooring, a common threat to cyclists. The bill takes effect 120 days after becoming law.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

Council grilled DOT on parking rules. Three bills on the table: daylighting, truck parking, fine relief. Lawmakers pressed for safer intersections and less chaos. Advocates rallied for clear corners. Truckers and drivers want relief. Streets remain dangerous. Action still pending.

On April 21, 2025, the City Council’s transportation committee held a hearing on parking policy. Three bills were considered: a daylighting bill by Councilmember Julie Won to ban parking near crosswalks and require 1,000 daylighting barriers per year; a bill by Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse to waive extra fees for late parking ticket responses; and a bill by Councilmember Natasha Williams to create overnight truck parking in industrial zones. The matter summary reads: 'NYC Council to examine truck parking, daylighting and fine relief in hearing on city parking woes.' Narcisse’s bill targets fee relief for drivers who respond to violations between 45 and 90 days. Won’s daylighting bill drew support from 120 organizations. DOT faced questions on loading zones, permit abuse, and intersection safety. The hearing spotlighted the city’s struggle to balance safety for pedestrians and cyclists with business and driver concerns. No final votes yet.

• NYC Council to examine truck parking, daylighting and fine relief in hearing on city parking woes, gothamist.com, Published 2025-04-21

A Ford SUV’s left bumper caught a 17-year-old boy on Avenue J. Blood pooled on the pavement. The boy lay unconscious, head split, as the driver idled nearby. Distraction behind the wheel turned a Brooklyn street into a scene of violence.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV traveling west on Avenue J near East 51st Street struck a 17-year-old male pedestrian. The report states the boy was left unconscious on the pavement with severe head lacerations after the impact, which occurred at the vehicle’s left front bumper. The driver was operating a 2013 Ford SUV and remained at the scene. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor in the crash. The report also notes the pedestrian was 'Riding/Walking Along Highway Against Traffic' and lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a secondary factor. The primary focus remains on the driver’s inattention, which led to the violent collision and left a teenager gravely injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806162, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council passed a law forcing DOT to post updates on every street safety project. Each month, the public will see which projects are planned, which are stalled, and which are done. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. Sunlight on every mile.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now on the Mayor's desk, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced November 13, 2024, and passed committee and full Council votes on April 10, 2025. The law, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan,' demands the Department of Transportation post annual and monthly updates on all benchmark projects—protected bike lanes, bus lanes, signals, and upgrades. Council Member Julie Won led as primary sponsor, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law requires public reporting on project status, funding, delays, and overruns. This measure brings hard oversight and transparency to the city’s street safety promises.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

City Council voted to legalize jaywalking. Mercedes Narcisse led the push. The bill passed 40-8. Enforcement was rare. DOT warned of risk. Pedestrian deaths remain high. The mayor let it become law. Streets stay dangerous for walkers.

On March 23, 2025, the New York City Council passed a bill to decriminalize jaywalking. The measure, championed by Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse of District 46, cleared the chamber in a veto-proof 40-8 vote. The bill's matter title: 'Jaywalking in NYC is set to be legal.' The legislation eliminates the $250 fine for crossing outside crosswalks or against signals. DOT First Deputy Commissioner Margaret Forgione testified against the bill, warning, 'Over the last five years, 200 people lost their lives while crossing the street mid-block or against the signal, making up about 34 percent of all pedestrian fatalities.' Mayor Eric Adams neither signed nor vetoed the bill, allowing it to become law. City Hall and NYPD officials continue to urge pedestrians to follow traffic rules. The Department of Transportation must now draft rules to implement the change. Vulnerable road users remain at risk.

• Jaywalking in NYC is set to be legal — but there was hardly any enforcement when it was a crime, nypost.com, Published 2025-03-23

A sedan tore down Everett Avenue, its right bumper smashing into a 14-year-old boy on an e-scooter. Blood pooled on the street. The boy stayed conscious, his legs crushed, his ride ended by speed and steel.

A 14-year-old boy riding an e-scooter on Everett Avenue near Aster Court was struck by a sedan traveling at unsafe speed, according to the police report. The collision occurred at 7:35 p.m. and left the boy with crush injuries to his legs. The report states, 'A 14-year-old boy on an e-scooter, no helmet, struck by a speeding sedan. The car’s right bumper crushed his legs. He stayed awake. Blood pooled on the street where his ride ended.' The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor in the crash. The sedan’s right front bumper was the point of impact, matching the boy’s lower leg injuries. The report notes the boy was not wearing a helmet, but this is listed after the driver’s error of unsafe speed. The focus remains on the driver’s excessive speed, which led directly to the severe injuries suffered by the vulnerable e-scooter rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794963, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

City Council passed a law forcing DOT to repaint pavement markings within five days after resurfacing. Streets stripped bare by fresh asphalt must get lines back fast. Delays require public notice. The law aims to keep crosswalks and lanes visible, protecting walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced January 8, 2025, passed March 15, and became Local Law 28 of 2025. The bill's 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 orders DOT to install pavement or temporary markings within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must post notices explaining the delay and set a new timeline. DOT must also report yearly on compliance. The law responds to a simple fact: missing markings mean danger for people on foot and bike. With this law, the city moves to close that deadly gap.

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

Council bill Int 1173-2025 would force all city cyclists to wear helmets or face a $50 fine. The measure, now in committee, targets riders not already covered by helmet laws. The city’s car carnage continues. Lawmakers focus on headgear, not street danger.

Int 1173-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on January 23, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear,' would require every cyclist not already mandated by other laws to wear a helmet. Violators face civil penalties up to $50. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The bill does not address the root causes of cyclist injuries: reckless drivers, speeding cars, and deadly streets. Instead, it shifts responsibility onto those most at risk, leaving the city’s dangerous roads unchanged.

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

A baby girl crossing Avenue L in a marked crosswalk met an SUV’s front end. The driver failed to yield. Her chest crushed. The sedan was parked. The street fell silent. She never reached the curb.

According to the police report, a baby girl was killed while crossing Avenue L at East 88th Street in Brooklyn. The crash occurred at 18:46, as an SUV made a left turn and struck the child in a marked crosswalk. The report states the SUV driver’s action—'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way'—as the primary contributing factor. The narrative describes the baby in the crosswalk, the SUV turning left, and the impact crushing her chest. The sedan involved was parked and did not contribute to the collision. The police report makes no mention of the pedestrian’s behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the SUV driver's failure to yield, a systemic danger that left a child dead in the intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785035, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council wants autism warning plaques on city streets. Parents could request signs. The bill sits in committee. Sponsors say it alerts drivers. No proven safety gain for children. The city keeps counting on signs. Streets stay dangerous.

Int 1142-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 19, 2024. The bill is titled, "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing child with autism warning plaques on streets." Council Member Kevin C. Riley is the primary sponsor, joined by Ariola, Joseph, Moya, Won, Banks, Narcisse, Paladino, and Marmorato. Their action: referral to committee. The bill requires the Department of Transportation to install warning plaques at the request of a parent or guardian. It details the process for requesting, installing, and removing these signs. The stated aim is to alert motorists to the presence of a child with autism. There is no evidence these plaques reduce crashes or protect children. The city continues to rely on signage, not street redesign, to address systemic danger.

• File Int 1142-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-19

City Council passed a law forcing DOT to check with FDNY before approving open streets, bike lanes, or big street changes. Firehouses get notified. Council members and boards get updates. The law aims for more eyes, more voices, but adds hurdles for street redesigns.

Bill Int 0104-2024, now Local Law 6 of 2025, was enacted by the City Council on January 18, 2025, after passing both the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the full Council in December 2024. The law requires the Department of Transportation to consult with the Fire Department before approving open street applications, bicycle lane projects, or major transportation projects. The official matter title states the law amends the city code to require DOT to consult with FDNY and notify affected firehouses before moving forward. Primary sponsor Kalman Yeger, with co-sponsors including Joann Ariola, Robert Holden, Lynn Schulman, and others, pushed the bill through. The law expands notification and comment rights for firehouses and community boards, adding new steps before any street or lane changes. No safety analyst assessed the direct impact on vulnerable road users. The law’s effect: more agencies weigh in, but the process for safer streets grows longer and more complex.

• File Int 0104-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-19

A 60-year-old man was crushed beneath the front of a southbound SUV on Flatbush Avenue. The impact was direct and fatal. A parked wood chipper nearby was torn. The street was dark and silent after the deadly collision.

A 60-year-old pedestrian was killed near Flatbush Avenue and Hendrickson Place in Brooklyn when a southbound SUV struck him full-on, according to the police report. The report states the victim was crushed beneath the center front end of the SUV, suffering fatal injuries to his entire body. The SUV was traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The narrative describes the scene: 'His body struck full-on. A parked wood chipper stood torn. The street was dark. The silence after was complete.' The police report lists contributing factors as unspecified for both driver and pedestrian, providing no details on driver errors or external conditions. The evidence highlights the lethal force of the vehicle’s impact and the systemic dangers present on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771642, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Toyota SUV hit a 66-year-old man crossing Seaview Avenue. The bumper struck his head. He died alone under the streetlamp. The crash left the intersection marked by violence and silence, another life ended by steel and speed.

A 66-year-old man was killed when a Toyota SUV struck him head-on as he crossed Seaview Avenue near Rockaway Parkway in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the SUV’s left front bumper hit the pedestrian’s head, causing fatal injuries. The report states the man was 'crossing against the signal,' but lists the driver’s contributing factors as 'unspecified.' The impact occurred at the intersection, with the pedestrian dying at the scene. The police narrative describes the man dying alone under the glare of the streetlamp. The data highlights the lethal consequences when a large vehicle meets a vulnerable road user in a crosswalk, regardless of signal status. No specific driver errors were cited in the police report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768224, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council passed a law forcing DOT to show traffic device and speed reducer requests on its website. Now, every case number, status, and decision must be public. The move cracks open city data, exposing delays and denials that shape street danger.

Int 0468-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The Council passed it on October 23, 2024; it became law November 22, 2024, as Local Law 113. The bill’s title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the department of transportation posting information on traffic-control device and speed reducer requests on its website.” Council Member Kalman Yeger led as primary sponsor, joined by dozens of co-sponsors. The law orders DOT to publish every request for traffic signals and speed humps—case number, subject, status, resolution, reason for approval or denial, and timeline if approved. The public can now track what the city does, or fails to do, when streets need taming. This transparency exposes the machinery behind every crosswalk, signal, and speed bump—vital for anyone who walks, bikes, or rides in New York.

• File Int 0468-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-10-23

A moped struck a parked sedan on Gerritsen Avenue, leaving a man clinging outside the bike with a bloodied face. The rider suffered severe leg injuries and shock. Alcohol involvement was cited as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, at 12:30 a.m. on Gerritsen Avenue near Everett Avenue in Brooklyn, a moped traveling straight ahead collided with a parked sedan. The sedan was stationary and unoccupied at the time of impact. The moped's front end struck the sedan's rear center, causing significant damage. The moped carried two occupants; the driver, a 33-year-old man, sustained severe injuries including fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was in shock but not ejected. The report explicitly cites 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor to the collision. No contributing factors related to the victim's behavior were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by impaired vehicle operation and the systemic risk of collisions with parked vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765632, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council bill Int 1069-2024 slashes legal parking time for tractor-trailers and similar trucks to 90 minutes. Commercial vehicles clogging curbs will face tighter limits. The measure targets streets where hulking rigs linger, blocking sightlines and endangering walkers and riders.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." It limits parking for tractor-trailer combinations, tractors, truck trailers, and semi-trailers to 90 minutes, down from three hours. Council Member Kevin C. Riley leads as primary sponsor, joined by Nantasha M. Williams, Darlene Mealy, Sandy Nurse, and others. The bill was referred to committee the day it was introduced. No safety analyst has yet assessed the direct impact on vulnerable road users, but the measure aims to keep large trucks from blocking curbs and crosswalks, where they threaten pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26