Brooklyn Heights Bleeds: Speed Kills, Leaders Stall

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 2023-12-31

A 25-year-old woman was injured while crossing Livingston Street. A sedan making a U-turn struck her. The driver failed to yield and was distracted. The woman suffered a head contusion but remained conscious.

A pedestrian was injured in Brooklyn when a sedan made a U-turn on Livingston Street. According to the police report, the pedestrian, a 25-year-old woman, was crossing with the signal when she was struck. The driver, a licensed male, failed to yield the right-of-way and was distracted at the time of the crash. The woman sustained a head injury, classified as a contusion, and was conscious following the impact. The incident highlights systemic issues with driver attentiveness and adherence to traffic laws.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4690857 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

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

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 tractor truck slammed into the back of an SUV on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Three SUV occupants suffered neck and arm bruises. The crash left all conscious but injured. The truck followed too closely, striking the SUV’s rear center.

According to the police report, a 2018 tractor truck traveling east on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway collided with the rear center of a 2013 SUV going in the same direction. The SUV carried three occupants: a 39-year-old female driver, a 45-year-old male front passenger, and a 57-year-old male rear passenger. All three sustained contusions and bruises to the neck or arm but were conscious and not ejected. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor for the crash. The truck driver failed to maintain a safe distance, causing the rear-end collision. All occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4685802 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A sedan and tractor truck crashed on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan driver, a 57-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The impact hit the sedan’s left rear bumper and the truck’s left front bumper. Driver error caused the crash.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway involving a 2017 sedan and a 2005 tractor truck diesel, both traveling west. The sedan driver, a 57-year-old man, was injured with contusions to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was not ejected and remained conscious. The crash involved impact to the left rear bumper of the sedan and the left front bumper of the truck. The report cites "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the primary contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead before the crash. The sedan driver was wearing a lap belt. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4680590 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Council weighed a citywide bridge vending ban. Residents and tour guides demanded swift removal. Vendors pleaded for compromise. Council Member Restler pushed for designated spaces, not a blanket ban. DOT has no timeline. The fight pits safety and space against livelihoods.

On November 16, 2023, the City Council held a hearing on a proposed ban on street vending across all 789 city bridges. The Department of Transportation (DOT) seeks to prohibit vendors from pedestrian paths, bike lanes, and bridge approaches. The matter, described as a 'span ban,' drew strong public support for restrictions. Council Member Lincoln Restler, representing Brooklyn, stated, 'I am a strong supporter of vending, but it should go in designated spaces... the Brooklyn Bridge is not the place for it.' He thanked DOT for acting to eliminate vending on the bridge, but called for more vendor licenses elsewhere. Vendors and advocates argued the ban is too harsh, urging specific rules instead of a blanket prohibition. DOT will review public comments before finalizing the rule. No timeline has been set.

• Bridge Vending Ban Gains Public Support As Vendors Beg For Compromise, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-16

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

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

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

A 4-year-old boy was hit by an e-bike on Cadman Plaza West. The child suffered a head contusion but remained conscious. The driver was inattentive and speeding. The impact hit the bike’s center front end. The boy was off the roadway.

According to the police report, an e-bike traveling south on Cadman Plaza West struck a 4-year-old pedestrian who was not in the roadway. The child sustained a head injury classified as a contusion and remained conscious after the collision. The report lists driver inattention and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The point of impact was the center front end of the e-bike. No other vehicles or occupants were involved. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was not at fault. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted and speeding e-bike operators in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4667545 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A 31-year-old man driving a sedan on Hicks Street was partially ejected and suffered head injuries. The crash involved two parked sedans and one moving sedan. The driver lost consciousness and sustained whiplash and head trauma.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male driver was partially ejected from his sedan on Hicks Street in Brooklyn. The crash involved three sedans: one moving westbound, and two parked facing north. The driver suffered head injuries and whiplash, with injury severity rated as serious. The report lists "Lost Consciousness" as a contributing factor. No specific driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. The driver was not using any safety equipment. The collision caused damage to the center front end of the moving vehicle and the center back ends of the parked vehicles. The report does not assign fault or blame to the injured driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4667157 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A repeat offender killed Xia Ying Chen, 66, in Bath Beach. Senator Gounardes called for tougher laws and real consequences for reckless drivers. He slammed weak enforcement. Streets remain deadly. Calls for redesign and accountability echo. The system failed again.

On September 19, 2023, after a deadly crash in Bath Beach, State Senator Andrew Gounardes demanded action. The driver, Faheem Shabazz, had a record of speeding violations. Gounardes, a safe streets advocate, said, 'That's really what this conversation should be about—how are we holding people accountable when they have violations to their record and zero consequences for it.' He supports lowering speed limits and tougher penalties but stressed that enforcement is lacking. Senator Iwen Chu urged the NYC DOT to study the area for safety upgrades, stating, 'We must recognize that our streets need to be designed with safety in mind.' The DOT is reviewing the intersection. The call is clear: repeat offenders face little consequence, and street design still puts pedestrians at risk.

• ‘A real damn shame’: After grandmother killed in Bath Beach crash, pol says reckless drivers must be held accountable, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-09-19

DOT stripped protected bike lanes from Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue. Cyclists now dodge cars and illegal parking. Elected officials and advocates demand action. DOT cites traffic, but danger grows. Pedestrians lose safe crossings. The agency stays silent. Streets stay deadly.

On September 18, 2023, a coalition of elected officials and advocates called out the Department of Transportation for removing protected bike lanes on Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue during construction. The matter, described as 'DOT continues to ignore dangers it created on Brooklyn’s Fourth Ave,' centers on DOT’s decision to replace bike lanes with a second car lane, violating a city law that requires temporary bike lanes during such work. Council Members Lincoln Restler, Alexa Aviles, Shahana Hanif, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and groups like Bike New York and Transportation Alternatives sent a letter demanding the bike lane’s return and physical barriers to stop illegal parking on pedestrian islands. The letter urges DOT to 'ensure curb lanes be preserved for safe cyclist passage' and to 'deploy quick-build physical elements' for pedestrian safety. DOT has not responded. Cyclists and pedestrians remain at risk.

• DOT Continues to Ignore Dangers it Created on Brooklyn’s Fourth Ave, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-18

Council waits. DOT stalls. The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program limps toward expiration. Thousands of reckless drivers dodge consequences. Few take the safety course. Council members call for answers, action, and stronger laws. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain exposed.

On September 18, 2023, the City Council reviewed the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP), which is set to expire on October 26. The Transportation Committee, led by Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, pressed the Department of Transportation (DOT) for a final report on the program’s effectiveness. The bill required drivers with 15 speed-camera or five red-light tickets in a year to take a safety course or risk vehicle seizure. Council Member Shahana Hanif voiced disappointment, noting, 'We need to not only reauthorize this program, but strengthen it.' Despite over 34,000 drivers meeting the threshold in the last year, only about 1,200 took the course in three years. DOT has not explained the reporting delay or provided outcome data. The lack of enforcement leaves dangerous drivers on the road and vulnerable road users at risk.

• Council Needs Info from DOT So it Can Rescue (or Ignore) Fading ‘Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-18

DOT stripped protected bike lanes from Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue. Cyclists now dodge cars and illegal parking. Elected officials and advocates demand action. DOT cites traffic, but danger grows. Pedestrians lose safe crossings. The agency stays silent. Streets stay deadly.

On September 18, 2023, a coalition of elected officials and advocates called out the Department of Transportation for removing protected bike lanes on Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue during construction. The matter, described as 'DOT continues to ignore dangers it created on Brooklyn’s Fourth Ave,' centers on DOT’s decision to replace bike lanes with a second car lane, violating a city law that requires temporary bike lanes during such work. Council Members Lincoln Restler, Alexa Aviles, Shahana Hanif, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and groups like Bike New York and Transportation Alternatives sent a letter demanding the bike lane’s return and physical barriers to stop illegal parking on pedestrian islands. The letter urges DOT to 'ensure curb lanes be preserved for safe cyclist passage' and to 'deploy quick-build physical elements' for pedestrian safety. DOT has not responded. Cyclists and pedestrians remain at risk.

• DOT Continues to Ignore Dangers it Created on Brooklyn’s Fourth Ave, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-18

A box truck struck the left rear quarter panel of a sedan on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan’s right rear passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash. The crash involved improper lane usage by the truck driver. Both vehicles traveled westbound.

According to the police report, a 2023 box truck traveling westbound on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway collided with the left rear quarter panel of a 2015 sedan also traveling westbound. The truck driver was cited for improper passing or lane usage. A 35-year-old female occupant seated in the right rear of the sedan was injured, sustaining head trauma and whiplash. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness at the time of the crash. The impact occurred at the right front bumper of the truck and the left rear bumper of the sedan. No ejections were reported. The report lists no contributing factors from the passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4662978 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

An 18-year-old bicyclist was injured in a crash with an SUV on Cadman Plaza West. The cyclist suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The collision involved a failure to obey traffic controls. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, an 18-year-old male bicyclist traveling east on Cadman Plaza West collided with a northbound 2020 Toyota SUV. The bicyclist sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating a failure to obey traffic signals or signs. Additionally, the bicyclist was noted to be 'Listening/Using Headphones' at the time, which may have affected his awareness. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the bike and the left front bumper of the SUV. No helmet or signaling factors were mentioned.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4662372 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05