Williamsburg Bleeds While City Hall Turns Back

Lawmakers push a bill to force speed-limiting devices on repeat reckless drivers. The measure targets those with a record of speeding and red-light violations. It aims to slow down the worst offenders and curb the rising toll of traffic deaths.

On August 1, 2023, lawmakers introduced a bill requiring speed-limiting devices for repeat reckless drivers. The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, targets drivers with six or more automated speed or red light tickets, or eleven license points in 18 months. The measure would force these drivers to install devices that cap speed at five miles per hour above the limit. Gounardes said, 'There is a persistent cohort of drivers... driving on our streets recklessly without any consequences.' The bill was unveiled at the site of a fatal pedestrian crash in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program, which mandates safety courses for repeat offenders, has faced criticism for weak enforcement. This new bill seeks to close those gaps and directly slow down the most dangerous drivers on city streets.

• State lawmakers unveil bill to put speed limiting devices in reckless drivers’ cars, amny.com, Published 2023-08-01

Manhattan lawmakers want electric cars to pay less under congestion pricing. They argue EVs cut smog, so drivers deserve a break. Critics warn this move keeps streets clogged. Fewer cars mean fewer crashes. The fight pits clean air against crowded roads.

On July 31, 2023, a group of Manhattan elected officials—including Assembly Members Alex Bores, Eddie Gibbs, Deborah Glick, Harvey Epstein, Rebecca Seawright; State Senators Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Liz Krueger, Kristen Gonzalez; and Borough President Mark Levine—sent a letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board. They urged a congestion pricing discount for electric vehicles, claiming EVs 'do not contribute significantly to the smog and pollution of the Central Business District.' Assembly Member Bores led the effort, stating, 'when it comes to the environmental case, an electric vehicle is just a different profile than a gas-guzzling one.' The officials oppose credits for bridge and tunnel crossings. Congestion pricing advocates and environmental groups counter that EV discounts undermine the core goal: fewer cars, less traffic, safer streets. They note other cities are ending such breaks. The proposal highlights a tension—cleaner air versus safer, less crowded roads for all.

• Manhattan Elected Officials Urge Congestion Pricing Discount For Electric Cars, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-31

A 36-year-old woman on a moped collided with a parked box truck on Grand Street in Brooklyn. The moped struck the truck’s right front bumper. The rider suffered abrasions and injuries to her elbow and lower arm. She was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old female moped driver collided with a parked box truck on Grand Street, Brooklyn. The moped hit the truck’s right front bumper while traveling east. The rider sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow and lower arm but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver inattention, distraction, and inexperience as contributing factors. The moped driver was unlicensed. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The box truck was stationary at the time of impact. The crash highlights risks posed by driver errors and unlicensed operation in urban traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4649879 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 23-year-old man on an e-scooter was injured and ejected in a crash on Borinquen Place near Marcy Avenue. The scooter struck the right front quarter panel of a turning vehicle. The rider suffered neck abrasions and was conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male e-scooter driver was injured in a collision on Borinquen Place in Brooklyn. The e-scooter was traveling west, going straight ahead, when it struck the right front quarter panel of a vehicle making a right turn southbound. The rider was ejected and sustained neck abrasions. The report lists contributing factors as "Other Vehicular" and "Unsafe Speed." The e-scooter driver was wearing a lap belt. Vehicle damage included right side doors on the scooter and right front bumper on the other vehicle. No other occupants were involved. The crash highlights driver errors related to unsafe speed and other vehicular factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4649880 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A sedan turned left on Kent Avenue, passing too close to a cyclist. The car struck the bike’s front. The rider suffered abrasions and leg injuries. The sedan showed no damage. The street stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Kent Avenue made a left turn and passed too closely to a bicyclist going straight. The sedan struck the bike’s front end. The cyclist, a 35-year-old man, suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists "Passing Too Closely" as a contributing factor. The sedan’s left front quarter panel was the point of impact, but the vehicle sustained no damage. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648297 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A 45-year-old man on an e-scooter was injured in Brooklyn. An SUV making a left turn struck him on the right side. He was partially ejected and suffered shoulder and arm injuries. The crash involved inadequate lane markings.

According to the police report, a 45-year-old male e-scooter driver was injured when a 2012 Nissan SUV, driven by a licensed female driver, made a left turn and collided with the e-scooter's right side doors. The e-scooter rider was partially ejected and sustained upper arm and shoulder injuries, including contusions and bruises. The report cites 'Lane Marking Improper/Inadequate' as a contributing factor. The SUV's pre-crash action was making a left turn, and the e-scooter was making a right turn. No other driver errors were specified. The e-scooter rider was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash occurred on Rodney Street in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648306 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

An 80-year-old woman was struck while crossing Kent Avenue at a marked crosswalk. The sedan made a left turn and hit her with its right front bumper. She suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was in shock at the scene.

According to the police report, an 80-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Kent Avenue at a marked crosswalk without a signal. A sedan, driven by a licensed male driver, was making a left turn when it struck her with the right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in minor bleeding and shock. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond the vehicle's left turn and the pedestrian crossing. The vehicle showed no damage, and no other occupants were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647875 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A moped slammed into a stopped sedan on Wythe Avenue. The female moped driver was partially ejected, suffering abrasions and leg injuries. The crash was caused by following too closely on slippery pavement. The sedan driver was unhurt.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old female moped driver collided with the right rear quarter panel of a stopped sedan on Wythe Avenue in Brooklyn. The moped driver was partially ejected and sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Pavement Slippery' as contributing factors. The sedan was stopped in traffic at the time. The moped driver was wearing a helmet. The sedan driver was not injured. The crash highlights the dangers of tailgating, especially on slippery roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4646950 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

DOT boss dodged on safety. Mayor stalled the plan. Advocates fumed. The original design promised fewer lanes, protected bike lanes, safer crossings. Now, after a teacher’s death and 82 crashes in a year, the future is murky. City Hall listens to business, not victims.

On July 18, 2023, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez addressed the status of the McGuinness Boulevard redesign. The $40 million plan, drafted in 2021 after a fatal hit-and-run, aimed to cut lanes from four to two, add protected bike lanes, and shorten crossings. Rodriguez said, "[My] personal commitment as the commissioner of DOT [is] to do the best it can to continue doing my job to improve safety on McGuinness Boulevard." Mayor Adams reversed the plan after business opposition, despite support from every other elected official. Assembly Member Emily Gallagher blamed a small group for swaying the mayor, noting, "Other redesigned streets... all get safer and they work better." The timeline is now unclear. In the past year, 82 crashes injured 35 people on the corridor. Advocates vow to keep fighting for the original, safer design.

• DOT Boss Tries to Stay ‘Positive’ on McGuinness But Won’t Commit to Safest Possible Design, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-18

Brooklyn officials demand equal tolls on all Manhattan crossings. They warn free bridges funnel traffic into certain neighborhoods. Their letter calls for fairness. The MTA stays silent. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide. Streets hang in the balance.

On July 18, 2023, Council Member Shahana Hanif and other Brooklyn officials called for 'equalized tolling on all crossings into Manhattan' as congestion pricing nears. Their letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board states: 'No one community should disproportionately bear the burden of the cars and trucks passing through their neighborhood.' Hanif, along with Lincoln Restler, Alexa Avilés, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Crystal Hudson, joined borough, state, and federal colleagues in this push. They propose a credit system to balance costs between DOT bridges and MTA tunnels, aiming to protect neighborhoods like the Brooklyn waterfront and the BQE corridor from traffic surges. The MTA declined comment. The Board will soon set final toll rates and rules. The federal government has approved the congestion pricing plan, with tolls for cars expected between $9 and $23. Over 100 exemption requests, including from taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers, are under review.

• Pols call for ‘equalized tolling’ on all crossings into Manhattan under congestion pricing on eve of board deliberations, amny.com, Published 2023-07-18

Brooklyn officials demand equal tolls on all Manhattan crossings. They warn free bridges funnel traffic into certain neighborhoods. Their letter calls for fairness. The MTA stays silent. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide. Streets hang in the balance.

On July 18, 2023, Council Member Shahana Hanif and other Brooklyn officials called for 'equalized tolling on all crossings into Manhattan' as congestion pricing nears. Their letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board states: 'No one community should disproportionately bear the burden of the cars and trucks passing through their neighborhood.' Hanif, along with Lincoln Restler, Alexa Avilés, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Crystal Hudson, joined borough, state, and federal colleagues in this push. They propose a credit system to balance costs between DOT bridges and MTA tunnels, aiming to protect neighborhoods like the Brooklyn waterfront and the BQE corridor from traffic surges. The MTA declined comment. The Board will soon set final toll rates and rules. The federal government has approved the congestion pricing plan, with tolls for cars expected between $9 and $23. Over 100 exemption requests, including from taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers, are under review.

• Pols call for ‘equalized tolling’ on all crossings into Manhattan under congestion pricing on eve of board deliberations, amny.com, Published 2023-07-18

Brooklyn officials demand equal tolls on all Manhattan crossings. They warn free bridges funnel traffic into certain neighborhoods. Their letter calls for fairness. The MTA stays silent. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide. Streets hang in the balance.

On July 18, 2023, Council Member Shahana Hanif and other Brooklyn officials called for 'equalized tolling on all crossings into Manhattan' as congestion pricing nears. Their letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board states: 'No one community should disproportionately bear the burden of the cars and trucks passing through their neighborhood.' Hanif, along with Lincoln Restler, Alexa Avilés, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Crystal Hudson, joined borough, state, and federal colleagues in this push. They propose a credit system to balance costs between DOT bridges and MTA tunnels, aiming to protect neighborhoods like the Brooklyn waterfront and the BQE corridor from traffic surges. The MTA declined comment. The Board will soon set final toll rates and rules. The federal government has approved the congestion pricing plan, with tolls for cars expected between $9 and $23. Over 100 exemption requests, including from taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers, are under review.

• Pols call for ‘equalized tolling’ on all crossings into Manhattan under congestion pricing on eve of board deliberations, amny.com, Published 2023-07-18

Brooklyn officials demand equal tolls on all Manhattan crossings. They warn free bridges funnel traffic into certain neighborhoods. Their letter calls for fairness. The MTA stays silent. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide. Streets hang in the balance.

On July 18, 2023, Council Member Shahana Hanif and other Brooklyn officials called for 'equalized tolling on all crossings into Manhattan' as congestion pricing nears. Their letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board states: 'No one community should disproportionately bear the burden of the cars and trucks passing through their neighborhood.' Hanif, along with Lincoln Restler, Alexa Avilés, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Crystal Hudson, joined borough, state, and federal colleagues in this push. They propose a credit system to balance costs between DOT bridges and MTA tunnels, aiming to protect neighborhoods like the Brooklyn waterfront and the BQE corridor from traffic surges. The MTA declined comment. The Board will soon set final toll rates and rules. The federal government has approved the congestion pricing plan, with tolls for cars expected between $9 and $23. Over 100 exemption requests, including from taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers, are under review.

• Pols call for ‘equalized tolling’ on all crossings into Manhattan under congestion pricing on eve of board deliberations, amny.com, Published 2023-07-18

A 21-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and injured after an SUV struck his bike on Borinquen Place in Brooklyn. The impact hit the SUV's right side doors and the bike's front center. The rider suffered shoulder abrasions.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old male bicyclist was injured when a 2014 SUV, parked and facing west, was struck on its right side doors by the bicyclist traveling westbound. The bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained abrasions and upper arm shoulder injuries. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The SUV driver was licensed and male. The bicyclist's safety equipment status is unknown. The collision involved the SUV's right side doors and the bike's front center. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4645618 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

An e-scooter changing lanes hit a bike going straight east on Williamsburg Bridge. The bike rider, a 51-year-old man, was ejected and suffered head injuries. He was semiconscious with minor bleeding despite wearing a helmet. No vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, an e-scooter traveling east on Williamsburg Bridge attempted an improper lane change and collided with a bike traveling straight east. The bike rider, a 51-year-old man wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained head injuries with minor bleeding. He was semiconscious at the scene. The report lists the contributing factor as "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" by the e-scooter driver. Neither vehicle showed damage. The bike rider was positioned riding or hanging on outside the vehicle. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4645339 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A cyclist rode east on North 7th. A woman stepped from behind a parked car. His front wheel hit her. She fell. Her head struck the pavement. Blood pooled. The cyclist kept riding. She lay still, unconscious.

A 66-year-old woman was struck by a man riding a bike on North 7th Street. According to the police report, the cyclist rode east as the woman stepped from behind a parked car. His front wheel hit her, causing her to fall and strike her head on the pavement. Blood pooled as she lay unconscious. The cyclist did not stop. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The woman suffered head injuries and was left motionless at the scene. No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction are specified in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4645388 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A cyclist slammed into the back of a stopped SUV on South 4th Street. He flew headfirst, hit the ground, and bled from the skull. Thirty-three years old. No helmet. Blood pooled on Brooklyn pavement. He was conscious, injured, and alone.

A 33-year-old cyclist was injured after colliding with the rear of a stopped SUV near 163 South 4th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the cyclist 'hit the back of a stopped SUV. No helmet. He flew headfirst, hit the ground. Blood pooled on the pavement. Conscious, bleeding from the skull.' The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The cyclist was ejected from his bike and suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. The SUV was stopped in traffic at the time of impact. The absence of a helmet is noted in the report, but driver errors are cited as primary causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4645632 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Mayor Adams ordered DOT to pause the McGuinness Boulevard redesign. The plan would have cut car lanes for bike lanes. Local businesses and some residents fought back. Council Member Restler and others supported the redesign. Delay leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

On July 12, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams intervened in the planned redesign of McGuinness Boulevard, instructing the Department of Transportation to rethink its proposal. The redesign, shaped by months of public meetings, aimed to remove a vehicle lane in each direction to add protected bike lanes. Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher backed the safety-focused plan. The mayor’s reversal followed pressure from local businesses and the 'Keep McGuinness Moving' campaign. Over 7,000 people signed a petition for the redesign, while about 4,000 opposed it. The official matter summary states: 'Mayor Eric Adams appears to have ordered the city's Department of Transportation (DOT) to reverse course on a planned redesign of McGuinness Boulevard after powerful locals and influential members of the administration voiced their opposition.' The delay means the street remains dangerous for people walking and biking. Supporters warn that every day without changes puts lives at risk.

• Adams orders DOT to rethink McGuinness Boulevard redesign, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-07-12

Mayor Adams killed the McGuinness Boulevard safety redesign. He ignored months of community pleas. He sided with donors and power brokers. The street stays deadly. Pedestrians and cyclists remain at risk. Elected officials call it a betrayal. Safety lost. Politics won.

On July 7, 2023, Mayor Adams reversed course and canceled the McGuinness Boulevard safety redesign. The plan, developed by the Department of Transportation after extensive community engagement, aimed to curb crashes and deaths on this notorious Brooklyn corridor. The matter, described as a choice between 'Keep McGuinness Moving' and 'Make McGuinness Safe,' drew strong support from Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, Council Member Lincoln Restler, state Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez. Gallagher condemned the move, saying, 'The status quo is deadly and no campaign donation is enough to replace a life.' Former DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman called the decision 'very disappointing.' The mayor’s action, driven by political and donor pressure, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and sets a grim precedent for future safety projects.

• Cycle of Rage: Mayor Adams Has Disgraced Himself in Rejecting DOT’s Safety Plan for Deadly McGuinness, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-07

A pick-up truck made a right turn on South 4 Street in Brooklyn. It struck a bicyclist going straight west. The rider was ejected and suffered fractures to his knee and lower leg. The crash involved unsafe speed and improper turning.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck traveling east on South 4 Street was making a right turn when it collided with a bicyclist traveling west. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists the driver's errors as "Turning Improperly" and "Unsafe Speed." The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The impact occurred at the truck's left front bumper and the bike's center front end. The bicyclist, a 50-year-old man, was conscious but seriously injured. The truck driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No other factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4644168 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14