Brooklyn Bleeds While Leaders Stall

Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-05-28

A southbound SUV struck an eastbound sedan on Waverly Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash involved a traffic control disregard, causing significant side and front-end damage to both vehicles.

According to the police report, the collision occurred at 11:43 on Waverly Avenue in Brooklyn. A 35-year-old male driver of a sedan was injured, sustaining neck injuries and whiplash while remaining conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The crash involved two vehicles: a southbound SUV and an eastbound sedan. The SUV impacted the left side doors of the sedan with its center front end, damaging the right front bumper of the SUV and the left side doors of the sedan. The police report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor, indicating a failure to obey traffic signals or signs by one or both drivers. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727977 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A box truck struck the left rear bumper of a parked sedan on Clermont Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan’s driver suffered head injuries and whiplash but was conscious and restrained. Driver inattention caused the collision, according to the police report.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling north on Clermont Avenue rear-ended a parked 2023 Tesla sedan at its left rear bumper. The sedan’s driver, a 57-year-old man, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash, highlighting the truck driver’s failure to maintain attention. The sedan was stationary before impact, indicating no fault on the part of the injured occupant. The collision caused damage to both vehicles’ bumpers. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728302 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council moves to light up step streets. At least 25 stairways each year will get new lamps. Dark paths become visible. Pedestrians gain ground. Shadows shrink. Danger loses its cover.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 16, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola, joined by sixteen co-sponsors, pushes for at least 25 step streets to be lit each year until all are covered. Step streets are open-air staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to strip darkness from these paths, making them safer for people on foot. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0875-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

Council bill targets repeat pedal-assist bike violators. Three strikes trigger a mandatory safety course. Ignore the course, lose your bike. DOT will track results. Three-year pilot. Enforcement, not education, leads.

Int 0874-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced May 16, 2024, by Council Members Ariola (primary), Hanks, Hudson, Louis, Mealy, and Banks, the bill orders DOT to launch a pilot abatement program for unsafe pedal-assist bicycle operators. The bill summary states: 'Pedal-assist bicycle operators who accrue 3 or more moving violations under city law would be required to take a safe pedal-assist bicycle operation course offered by DOT.' Noncompliance means bike impoundment. DOT must report on course completions, impounds, and program effectiveness. The pilot sunsets after three years. The bill aims to curb reckless riding through strict enforcement.

• File Int 0874-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

SUV plows into a woman working in the street on Classon Avenue. Driver disregards traffic control. Both pedestrian and driver end up bruised. Steel hits flesh. System fails to protect the vulnerable.

According to the police report, a northbound Ford SUV struck a 39-year-old woman working in the roadway on Classon Avenue at 8:20 AM. The pedestrian was not at an intersection. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors, showing the driver failed to obey signals and drove aggressively. The SUV's right front quarter panel hit the pedestrian, causing bruises to her back. The 23-year-old male driver, licensed and restrained, suffered arm injuries. Both were conscious after the crash. No other driver errors or victim actions were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725274 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi making a left turn struck a motorcycle traveling straight on Waverly Avenue in Brooklyn. The motorcycle’s right rear passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash caused significant front-end damage to both vehicles.

According to the police report, at 8:28 p.m. on Waverly Avenue in Brooklyn, a 2019 taxi was making a left turn when it collided with a 2021 motorcycle traveling straight eastbound. The point of impact was the taxi’s right front bumper and the motorcycle’s center front end. The motorcycle had one occupant, the driver, while the taxi carried two occupants. The injured party was the 21-year-old female passenger seated on the motorcycle’s right rear or sidecar position. She was conscious but suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The report lists the passenger’s injury severity as moderate (level 3). Both drivers held valid New York licenses. The taxi driver’s maneuver of making a left turn into the motorcycle’s path indicates a failure to yield right of way, a critical driver error leading to the collision. The report does not specify any contributing factors from the passenger or motorcycle driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721294 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan and an SUV collided on Saint James Place in Brooklyn, injuring both drivers. Impact struck the SUV’s left side doors and the sedan’s front center. Both drivers suffered whiplash and head or neck injuries, with airbags deployed in each vehicle.

According to the police report, at 22:35 on Saint James Place in Brooklyn, a collision occurred involving a sedan traveling west and an SUV traveling south. The SUV sustained damage to its left side doors from the impact, while the sedan’s center front end was damaged. Both drivers were injured, with the female sedan driver suffering head injuries and whiplash, and the male SUV driver sustaining neck injuries and whiplash. Airbags deployed in both vehicles. The report cites "Traffic Control Disregarded" as a contributing factor for both drivers, indicating failure to obey traffic signals or signs. Both drivers were licensed and conscious after the crash. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721562 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A male driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a collision on Vanderbilt Avenue. The crash involved an unlicensed driver going straight and a licensed SUV driver making an improper U-turn. Impact damaged left side doors and quarter panels.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn at 14:10. The collision involved two vehicles: an unlicensed male driver operating a 2022 JIAJUE vehicle traveling south going straight ahead, and a licensed female driver in a 2023 Audi SUV making an improper U-turn. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel on both vehicles, resulting in damage to the left side doors of the JIAJUE and the left front quarter panel of the Audi. The unlicensed driver sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3, and was conscious with contusions and bruises. The police report explicitly cites the contributing factor as "Turning Improperly" by the licensed SUV driver. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720271 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

SUV driver, distracted, struck a southbound e-bike on Fulton Street. Cyclist, 33, was thrown, hit his head, bled. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience. Metal twisted. Blood on the street.

According to the police report, at 4:22 AM on Fulton Street in Brooklyn, a Station Wagon/SUV traveling eastbound collided with a southbound e-bike. The SUV's left front bumper struck the e-bike's center front end. The 33-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected, suffered head injuries, and was semiconscious with minor bleeding. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The SUV driver failed to maintain attention, leading to the crash. The bicyclist wore a helmet, but the report does not attribute any fault to him. The SUV's left front quarter panel and the e-bike's front end were both damaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719560 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Brooklyn crash at Classon Avenue involved a Ford SUV and a box truck. Defective brakes on the truck led to impact on the SUV’s right rear bumper. Two occupants suffered upper arm injuries, both shocked but not ejected from the SUV.

According to the police report, the collision occurred at 13:10 near 298 Classon Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash involved a 2016 Ford SUV traveling west and a 2006 box truck traveling north. The truck driver was unlicensed and was slowing or stopping when the collision happened. The point of impact was the right rear bumper of the SUV and the left rear quarter panel of the truck. The report cites 'Brakes Defective' as a contributing factor, indicating mechanical failure on the truck. Two occupants in the SUV, a 35-year-old female driver and a 32-year-old male front passenger, were injured with upper arm injuries and experienced shock. Neither occupant was ejected, and no contributing victim behaviors were noted. The truck driver’s unlicensed status and defective brakes highlight systemic risks in vehicle maintenance and driver compliance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715014 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A garbage truck reversed into a parked SUV on Fulton Street. Two women inside the SUV suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Unsafe backing by the truck driver caused the crash. The SUV was damaged; the truck was not.

According to the police report, a MACK garbage truck was backing west on Fulton Street in Brooklyn when it struck a parked Chevrolet SUV. The SUV held two women, ages 36 and 32, both conscious but injured with neck pain and whiplash. The SUV was hit at its center back end and damaged; the truck showed no damage. The report lists "Backing Unsafely" as the contributing factor. No errors are attributed to the SUV occupants. This crash shows the danger of large vehicles backing unsafely near vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713948 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04