Blood on Graham Avenue—How Many More Will Die Before City Hall Acts?

A 58-year-old woman suffered full-body injuries after a sedan failed to yield while making a left turn. The impact occurred at an intersection where the pedestrian was crossing with the signal. The driver’s error and glare contributed to the collision.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Meeker Avenue made a left turn and struck a 58-year-old female pedestrian crossing at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her entire body and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The report identifies the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the primary contributing factor. Additionally, glare was noted as a contributing factor affecting the driver’s visibility. The vehicle’s point of impact was the right front bumper, and despite the collision, the sedan sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors like failure to yield, especially at intersections where pedestrians have the right-of-way.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712326 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A box truck collided with an e-bike on Meserole Street in Brooklyn. The 33-year-old bicyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. The crash involved driver inattention and confusion, with no vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 2:00 PM on Meserole Street in Brooklyn. A box truck traveling southwest and an e-bike traveling west collided head-on. The bicyclist, a 33-year-old male, was ejected from his e-bike and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both the truck driver and the bicyclist, along with 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' affecting the bicyclist. The box truck driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead, as was the e-bike rider. Neither vehicle sustained damage, but the bicyclist was injured and conscious at the scene. The report highlights driver inattention as a key cause, emphasizing systemic danger posed by distracted driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712035 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-03-20

Council wants bold signs at every school entrance. Paint on pavement. Metal overhead. The aim: warn drivers, shield kids. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait. Danger does not.

Bill Int 0714-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 19, 2024. The bill reads: 'installing safety signs near schools.' Council Member Susan Zhuang leads, joined by Rivera, Gennaro, Won, Hanif, Gutiérrez, Louis, Cabán, Restler, Farías, Banks, Riley, and Feliz. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to paint and hang school safety signs on every street with a school entrance. The goal: alert drivers to children and pedestrians. The bill awaits further action. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0714-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-19

Council bill orders DOT to repair broken curbs during street resurfacing. Hazardous curbs trip, trap, and injure. The fix is overdue. Pedestrians need solid ground. Council moves to force action.

Int 0724-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced March 19, 2024, the bill commands DOT to repair broken curbs that pose safety hazards during any resurfacing project. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... requiring that the department of transportation repair broken curbs as part of resurfacing projects.' Council Members Schulman, Gennaro (primary), Gutiérrez, Louis, Brewer, and Avilés sponsor the measure. The bill targets a simple danger: shattered curbs that trip and injure. If passed, DOT must fix these hazards as routine, not afterthought. The law would take effect 120 days after enactment.

• File Int 0724-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-19

A taxi driver made an improper turn on Meeker Avenue, colliding with a westbound moped. The moped driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Both vehicles sustained front bumper damage in the impact, highlighting driver error as the crash cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:37 on Meeker Avenue when a taxi driver, traveling west and going straight ahead, collided with a moped driver making a left turn. The taxi's right front bumper struck the moped's left front bumper. The moped driver, a 45-year-old male, was injured with contusions and trauma to the knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly cites 'Turning Improperly' twice as the contributing factor, indicating the taxi driver's failure to execute a proper turn led directly to the collision. Both drivers were licensed and operating vehicles registered in New York. There is no mention of victim fault or contributing factors from the moped driver. The damage to both vehicles was concentrated on their front bumpers, consistent with the described impact points.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710367 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Box truck hit sedan’s front left in Brooklyn. Sedan driver, 41, suffered neck injuries. Police cite driver inattention. Both vehicles moved straight before impact. Streets stay dangerous for those inside.

According to the police report, a box truck and a sedan collided on Metropolitan Avenue in Brooklyn at 3:30 PM. The sedan’s 41-year-old male driver was injured, suffering neck trauma and internal complaints. He was conscious and not ejected. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the cause, pointing to the box truck driver’s failure to stay alert. Both vehicles were traveling straight before the crash. The sedan carried three people; the truck had one. No other contributing factors or victim actions were reported. The crash underscores the risk posed by distracted drivers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4711141 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A 33-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries in a Brooklyn crash. The collision involved improper lane usage, striking the right side of an unspecified vehicle. The bicyclist was injured but conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Woodpoint Road near Withers Street in Brooklyn at 5:30 a.m. The bicyclist, a 33-year-old male, was riding northbound and was ejected from his bike after colliding with the right side doors of an unspecified vehicle also traveling northbound. The report identifies "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating driver error related to lane management. The bicyclist sustained head injuries and was conscious at the scene. There is no mention of helmet use or victim fault in the report. The collision caused damage to the left side doors of the bike and the right side doors of the other vehicle. This crash highlights the dangers posed by improper lane usage on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710370 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Council bill demands DOT fix NYCHA sidewalks first. Seniors come before all. Broken walks trip, injure, kill. Law forces city to show its work. No more hiding behind red tape.

Bill Int 0504-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 7, 2024. It orders the DOT to prioritize sidewalk repairs at NYCHA sites, with senior housing first. The bill summary reads: 'establishing priority for sidewalk repairs at developments operated by the New York city housing authority.' Sponsors include Alexa Avilés (primary), Shaun Abreu, Shahana K. Hanif, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Sandy Nurse, Jennifer Gutiérrez, Pierina Ana Sanchez, Lincoln Restler, Rafael Salamanca, Jr., and Farah N. Louis. The law also requires public reporting of repairs and timelines. Sidewalk neglect endangers NYCHA residents—this bill aims to force action and transparency.

• File Int 0504-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

A 30-year-old male motorscooter driver was ejected and injured on Bushwick Avenue. The vehicle was demolished on impact. Driver inexperience and reaction to an uninvolved vehicle caused the crash, resulting in abrasions and hip-upper leg injuries.

According to the police report, a motorscooter driver traveling north on Bushwick Avenue was involved in a crash at 12:28. The vehicle was demolished upon impact, and the 30-year-old male driver was ejected from the scooter. The driver sustained abrasions and hip-upper leg injuries, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as contributing factors to the crash. The driver was wearing a helmet at the time. The incident highlights the dangers posed by inexperienced drivers and sudden reactions to surrounding traffic, leading to severe injury and vehicle destruction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707569 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

An e-bike rider suffered shoulder and arm injuries after a collision with an SUV on Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash involved driver inattention, striking the bike’s left side and damaging the SUV’s right side. The rider remained conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:40 PM on Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn. A male e-bike rider traveling west collided with a westbound SUV. The point of impact was the left side doors of the e-bike and the right front quarter panel of the SUV. The e-bike rider, a 37-year-old male, sustained upper arm and shoulder injuries classified as severity level 3, including contusions and bruises, and was conscious at the scene. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to maintain proper attention. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The e-bike rider was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. This collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in shared traffic spaces.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708027 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Council wants 100 miles of protected bike lanes each year. Cyclists need steel and concrete, not paint. The bill sits in committee. Streets could change. Lives hang in the balance.

Int 0271-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the installation of protected bicycle lanes.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by Rivera, Louis, Hanif, Ossé, Brewer, Cabán, Nurse, Hudson, Salaam, Bottcher, Gutiérrez, Feliz, Won, and Joseph. The bill demands the Department of Transportation install 100 miles of protected bike lanes per year for six years. The aim: real protection for cyclists and a safer city grid.

• File Int 0271-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council bill orders speed humps on roads beside parks over one acre. DOT can skip spots if safety or rules demand. Law aims to slow cars where families walk, run, and play.

Int 0262-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill reads: “requiring the installation of speed humps on roadways adjacent to any park equal or greater than one acre.” Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by eighteen co-sponsors. The Department of Transportation must install speed humps unless the commissioner finds a risk to safety or a conflict with DOT guidelines. The law would take effect 180 days after passage. The measure targets streets where parks meet traffic, aiming to slow cars and shield people outside vehicles.

• File Int 0262-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council urges Albany to pass SAFE Streets Act. Lower speed limits. Rights for crash victims. Safe passing for cyclists. Complete streets. City demands action as deaths rise. Streets remain deadly. Lawmakers must act.

Resolution 0090-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it calls on the state to pass S.2422 ('Sammy’s Law') and A.1901, part of the SAFE Streets Act. The matter title: 'Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.2422... allowing New York city to establish a lower speed limit, and A.1901, enacting a crash victims bill of rights.' Council Member Shahana K. Hanif leads, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Nurse, and others. The resolution demands lower speed limits, crash victim rights, safe passing for cyclists, and complete street design. It cites rising traffic deaths and the failure of current measures. The Council wants Albany to give the city real power to protect people on its streets.

• File Res 0090-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council passed a law forcing taxis and for-hire cars to post bold warnings on doors. The signs tell passengers: look for cyclists before you open up. A small step. The city hands out the decals. No cost to drivers.

Int 0193-2024 became law on May 31, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' was sponsored by Lincoln Restler and co-sponsored by over twenty council members, including Gutiérrez, Hudson, and Rivera. The law mandates clear warning decals on all rear passenger doors of taxis and for-hire vehicles. The Taxi and Limousine Commission will provide the signs at no cost. The measure aims to cut down on 'dooring'—a threat to cyclists citywide. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it became law.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council wants DOT to study how street design can keep commercial trucks out of residential blocks. The bill sits in committee. Streets should shelter people, not heavy traffic.

Int 0114-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to report on 'the utility and feasibility of using street design as a means to limit or reduce the use by commercial vehicles of streets in residential neighborhoods.' Jennifer Gutiérrez leads as primary sponsor, joined by Avilés, the Public Advocate, and others. The bill was referred to committee on the day of introduction. It demands a clear look at how design can push trucks off streets where people walk, bike, and live.

• File Int 0114-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Brooklyn officials push to evict judges’ cars from Columbus Park. Four designs scrap the parking lot, add green space, playgrounds, and a skatepark. Streets may get bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and bus lanes. No timeline yet. The park could finally belong to people.

On February 28, 2024, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Council Member Lincoln Restler, with business leaders, unveiled proposals to remove the judicial parking lot at Columbus Park. The plan, discussed at a community meeting, would replace the lot with public amenities—open greenery, playgrounds, a skatepark, and restrooms. Architects from WXY presented four designs, all eliminating the judges’ parking. The proposal also calls for safer streets: protected bike lanes on Adams Street, expanded sidewalks, narrowed roads, bus lanes, and possible pedestrianization of Johnson Street. Council Member Restler declared, 'Parks should be for people, not for parking.' Residents voiced support, calling the lot a 'vestige of another era.' The officials will gather more public feedback before submitting a formal proposal. No timeline has been set.

• Parking or Parkland? Brooklyn Judges Could Lose their Perk, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-02-28

Council calls for five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. The move aims to slow cars where people walk, bike, and gather. Resolution adopted. Streets may breathe easier. Danger may shrink.

Resolution 0079-2024, adopted June 6, 2024 by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, urges Albany to let New York City set a five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. The matter title reads: 'authorize New York City to set a five mile per hour speed limit on streets participating in the Open Streets program.' Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led as primary sponsor, joined by Amanda Farías, Crystal Hudson, Julie Won, and Carlina Rivera. The Council's action follows rising traffic deaths and growing use of Open Streets. The bill targets streets where people walk, bike, and gather, aiming to cut speed and risk for all vulnerable users.

• File Res 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council calls for five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. Streets slow. Danger drops. Pedestrians and cyclists get space. Resolution adopted. Albany must act.

Res 0079-2024, adopted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 6, 2024, urges Albany to let New York City set a five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. The resolution states: "authorize New York City to set a five mile per hour speed limit on streets participating in the Open Streets program." Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led as primary sponsor, joined by Amanda Farías, Crystal Hudson, Julie Won, and Carlina Rivera. The measure passed committee and full council on June 6. The bill aims to cut speed and risk where people walk, bike, and gather. The council's push now waits for state lawmakers and the governor.

• File Res 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council calls for five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. Streets slow. Danger drops. Pedestrians and cyclists get space. Resolution adopted. Albany must act.

Res 0079-2024, adopted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 6, 2024, urges Albany to let New York City set a five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. The resolution states: "authorize New York City to set a five mile per hour speed limit on streets participating in the Open Streets program." Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led as primary sponsor, joined by Amanda Farías, Crystal Hudson, Julie Won, and Carlina Rivera. The measure passed committee and full council on June 6. The bill aims to cut speed and risk where people walk, bike, and gather. The council's push now waits for state lawmakers and the governor.

• File Res 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28