The Dead Don’t Wait—Why Should We?

Senate bill S 4421 seeks a one-year fare-free bus pilot in New York City. Michael Gianaris leads. Robert Jackson, John Liu, Julia Salazar join. The move could shift riders from cars to buses. Status: sponsorship.

Senate bill S 4421, now at the sponsorship stage, proposes a one-year fare-free bus pilot in New York City. The bill summary reads: 'Provides a fare-free bus pilot program in New York City for one year, subject to appropriations.' Michael Gianaris sponsors, with Robert Jackson, John Liu, and Julia Salazar as co-sponsors. Introduced on February 4, 2025, the bill awaits committee review. No safety analyst has assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The pilot could change how New Yorkers move, but its effect on street safety remains unstudied.

• File S 4421, Open States, Published 2025-02-04

A cargo van struck Mayya Gil, 95, and her aide in Brooklyn. Gil died. The driver turned left, hit them in the crosswalk. No charges filed. Gil survived war and disaster, but not New York traffic. Another senior lost to city streets.

Gothamist (2025-01-26) reports that Mayya Gil, 95, was killed while crossing Cropsey Avenue in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. A man driving a cargo van made a left turn and struck Gil and her home health aide. The aide survived; Gil did not. Police made no arrests or charges. The article notes, 'She was a very active lady.' Gil was the second elderly pedestrian killed in Brooklyn that month. Transportation Alternatives highlighted that 46 senior pedestrians died in city crashes last year. The crash underscores the ongoing risk to older New Yorkers at crosswalks and the lack of driver accountability in such incidents.

• Elderly Woman Killed Crossing Cropsey Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-01-26

Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

A sedan hit a 20-year-old woman crossing with the signal on Covert Street. She suffered hip and leg bruises. The driver failed to yield. The car showed no damage. The woman stayed conscious.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling northeast on Covert Street in Brooklyn struck a 20-year-old female pedestrian as she crossed at the intersection with the signal. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the driver's contributing factor. The woman sustained a contusion and bruising to her hip and upper leg but remained conscious after the impact. The vehicle showed no visible damage. The driver's failure to yield directly led to the pedestrian's injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787580 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan traveling south on Wyckoff Avenue rear-ended another vehicle, causing knee and lower leg injuries to the driver. The crash resulted from driver inattention, leaving the victim conscious but injured with abrasions and leg trauma.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 300 Wyckoff Avenue in Brooklyn around midnight. A sedan driven by a 46-year-old male was involved in a rear-end collision, impacting the center back end of another vehicle. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The injured party was the sedan driver, who sustained abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot but was not ejected and remained conscious. The vehicle damage was noted on the right rear bumper of the struck vehicle and the center front end of the sedan. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. The report does not indicate any contributing factors from the victim, focusing solely on the driver's distraction as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786653 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate bill S 1675 would force carmakers to face the facts. Every vehicle gets a pedestrian safety score. The public sees it. No more hiding danger behind steel and glass.

Senate bill S 1675, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 13, 2025, it aims to 'create a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles which shall be posted on the department of motor vehicles' website.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The bill demands transparency. It would show the public which cars endanger walkers and which spare them. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the intent is clear: expose the risk, protect the vulnerable.

• File S 1675, Open States, Published 2025-01-13

A BMW, steered by an unlicensed man, veered headlong into an Infiniti on Hancock Street. A woman in the front seat, bloodied and dazed, suffered crushing head wounds. Distraction behind the wheel left her stunned and broken in Brooklyn’s morning light.

According to the police report, a BMW sedan driven by an unlicensed man was traveling straight on Hancock Street near Wilson Avenue in Brooklyn when it veered head-on into an Infiniti sedan. The crash occurred at 7:40 a.m. The report states, 'A BMW, driven by an unlicensed man, veered head-on into an Infiniti. A 50-year-old woman, unbelted in the front seat, sat bleeding from the head. Stunned. Crushed. Distraction had taken the wheel.' The primary contributing factor cited is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The unlicensed status of the BMW driver is also documented. The 50-year-old woman, a front passenger in the Infiniti, suffered severe head injuries and was left in shock, according to the report. The data does not list any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The collision underscores the lethal consequences when driver distraction and lack of licensure intersect on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785130 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

A white Audi struck Michael Foster on Caton Avenue. The car dragged him for blocks. The driver never stopped. Foster died in the street. The Audi vanished into the night. No arrests. The city’s danger stays.

NY Daily News reported on January 1, 2025, that Michael Foster, 64, was killed after a white Audi hit him on Caton Ave. near Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn. The driver, described as speeding, dragged Foster for half a mile before leaving him near Linden Blvd. and Nostrand Ave. The article quotes a witness: "I saw him at the stop light. He would go out to the cars and beg for change." The driver fled the scene and has not been caught. No arrests have been made. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians in city streets and the ongoing issue of hit-and-run drivers evading responsibility.

• Audi Driver Drags Man Half Mile, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-01

A distracted sedan driver struck an ambulance on Linden Street. The ambulance passenger suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries. The crash left the sedan’s front bumper damaged. Inattention behind the wheel led to harm.

According to the police report, a sedan starting from a parked position collided with an ambulance traveling south on Linden Street in Brooklyn at 16:10. The sedan’s left front bumper hit the ambulance’s right front quarter panel. 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' is listed as the contributing factor for the sedan driver. The ambulance passenger, a 36-year-old woman, suffered abdominal and pelvic trauma and was in shock. She was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The sedan sustained damage to its left front bumper. The report highlights the sedan driver’s failure to maintain attention, leading to the crash and serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783168 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan backed into a northbound car on Decatur Street. The driver, a woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited driver inexperience and distraction. Metal crumpled. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old woman driving a sedan was backing up on Decatur Street near Knickerbocker Avenue in Brooklyn when she collided with a northbound vehicle. The sedan's left front quarter panel and the other car's right front bumper were damaged. The driver suffered neck injuries and was in shock. Police listed 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783170 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 39-year-old unlicensed moped driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries in a Brooklyn collision. The crash involved a sedan making a left turn. Police cited unsafe speed as the contributing factor. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Madison Street in Brooklyn at 5:45 p.m. involving a moped and a sedan. The moped driver, a 39-year-old male, was injured with contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report identifies unsafe speed as the sole contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating the moped driver’s excessive speed played a critical role. The moped driver was unlicensed and was traveling straight southbound, while the sedan was making a left turn southbound. Neither vehicle showed damage or point of impact, suggesting a low-speed collision. The moped driver was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. The police report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors, focusing exclusively on the driver’s unsafe speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787578 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two bikes collided head-on in Brooklyn. A 25-year-old rider was ejected, hurt in the arm and shoulder. Police cite confusion among cyclists. No cars involved. The street stayed dangerous.

A crash on Bleecker Street at Knickerbocker Avenue in Brooklyn left a 25-year-old male bicyclist ejected and injured in the shoulder and upper arm. According to the police report, two bikes traveling in opposite directions collided, with 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' listed as a contributing factor. The injured cyclist was conscious and suffered whiplash. No motor vehicles were involved, and no driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited. The report notes the cyclist wore only stoppers as safety equipment. The incident highlights the risks faced by vulnerable road users even in the absence of cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798545 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Metal groaned on Nostrand Avenue. Two cars trapped, one stacked atop the other. A bus driver, a woman, a girl—hurt but alive. Emergency crews worked fast. The street bore the scars. The cause stayed hidden in the wreckage.

NY Daily News reported on December 18, 2024, that a multi-vehicle crash at Nostrand Ave. and Park Ave. in Brooklyn left three people injured. The article states, 'Three people were injured, including an MTA bus driver and a young girl, in a collision that pinned two cars between a box truck and a city bus.' Footage showed two vehicles sandwiched between the bus and truck, with one car stacked atop another. The injured included a 59-year-old MTA driver, a 33-year-old woman, and a 9-year-old girl. All were hospitalized in stable condition. The cause of the crash was not determined at the time of reporting. The incident highlights the risks at busy intersections and the dangers posed by large vehicles in dense urban traffic.

• Cars Crushed Between Bus And Truck, NY Daily News, Published 2024-12-18

A 73-year-old woman crossing with the signal suffered facial abrasions after an SUV making a left turn struck her at a Brooklyn intersection. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was distracted, causing the collision without vehicle damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:38 AM on Pilling Street near Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn. A 73-year-old female pedestrian was crossing with the signal when she was struck by a 2023 SUV making a left turn. The report cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained facial abrasions but remained conscious. The vehicle, registered in New Jersey and driven by a licensed male driver from New York, showed no damage despite the impact on its right front quarter panel. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted, but the collision resulted primarily from the driver's errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778680 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a collision on Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash involved a passing SUV and was caused by driver inexperience and distraction. The rider was unlicensed and not wearing safety equipment.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn around 12:30 PM. The moped driver, a 23-year-old male, was injured with contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg. The report cites 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The moped was traveling west, going straight ahead, when it was struck at the center back end by a passing SUV's left front bumper. The moped driver was unlicensed and not using any safety equipment at the time of the crash. The collision caused damage to the center back end of the moped and the right front bumper of the SUV. The driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as inexperience and distraction in vehicle interactions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782057 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Maritza Davila endorsed Mark Levine’s run for Comptroller. Levine vows to cut living costs, build housing, and make streets safer. He supports congestion pricing and more cycling lanes. Davila’s support signals a push for citywide safety and accountability.

On December 12, 2024, Mark Levine announced his candidacy for New York City Comptroller. The campaign launch drew endorsements from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assembly Members Brian Cunningham and Maritza Davila, and others. The campaign summary states Levine will 'drive affordability, solve the housing crisis, support working families, demand fiscal responsibility, and make streets safer.' Davila, representing District 53, publicly backed Levine. Levine’s record includes advocacy for congestion pricing, e-commerce reform, and expanding cycling infrastructure. These stances align with efforts to protect vulnerable road users and reduce traffic violence. The campaign’s focus on safer streets and better transit marks a shift toward systemic change for New Yorkers.

• Mark Levine launches campaign for Comptroller, backed with citywide support, amny.com, Published 2024-12-12

SUV turned left on Irving Avenue. Driver inexperience and distraction. Pedestrian, 30, crossing with signal. Struck at center front. Knee and leg injuries. Pain and shock. Systemic danger at the intersection.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old male pedestrian was crossing Irving Avenue in Brooklyn with the signal when a Ford SUV, traveling east and making a left turn, struck him at the center front end. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The pedestrian's lawful crossing is noted but not cited as a factor. The crash highlights the risks created by driver error at busy Brooklyn intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779975 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 38-year-old male e-bike rider was ejected and injured in a Brooklyn crash on Gates Avenue. The collision involved an e-scooter and was caused by driver inattention. The rider suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries, with no vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Gates Avenue in Brooklyn involving an e-bike and an e-scooter. The e-bike rider, a 38-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The e-bike was traveling south, going straight ahead, and the point of impact was the center back end of the bike. No damage was reported to the vehicles involved. The injured rider was conscious at the scene. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior or safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in Brooklyn's streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777886 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04