Two Dead, Hundreds Hurt—Who Will Stop the Killing on Spring Creek Streets?

Feb 28 - Council moves to form a board on school crossing guard deployment. NYPD, DOT, and DOE must report twice a year. The aim: more eyes on street danger where kids cross.

Bill Int 0448-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to an advisory board on crossing guard deployment," calls for NYPD, DOT, and DOE to join an advisory board. The board must send biannual reports on crossing guard needs to the Mayor, Council Speaker, and Police Commissioner. Council Member Kamillah Hanks leads as primary sponsor, joined by Stevens, Schulman, Salaam, and others. The Bronx Borough President requested the bill. The board’s reports could spotlight gaps and push for better protection at dangerous crossings.

• File Int 0448-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council moves to expand Open Streets on busy holidays. More hours. More car-free blocks. Pedestrians and cyclists get space when crowds surge. Streets shift from traffic to people. Danger drops. The city listens to neighborhoods.

Bill Int 0270-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it amends city code to require the Department of Transportation to expand Open Streets hours on holidays with heavy foot traffic—Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day, Halloween, and others. The bill reads: 'special activation of the Open Streets program on certain holidays and time periods with significant pedestrian traffic.' Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rivera, Brooks-Powers, Louis, Nurse, Ossé, Sanchez, Cabán, Banks, Avilés, Riley, Salaam, Hanif, Feliz, Won, Restler, and Joseph. Community groups can suggest more dates. The city must review all requests under the same standards as regular Open Streets. This bill aims to give people the street when they need it most.

• File Int 0270-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council bill orders DOT to probe crashes. Expands what counts as serious. Sets tight deadlines. Demands detailed reports. Pushes city to face the wreckage, not hide it.

Int 0263-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Members Lincoln Restler (primary), Joseph, Feliz, Louis, Won, Salaam, Riley, and Banks. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to investigate vehicle collisions,' expands the definition of serious crashes, forces DOT to start investigations within a week, finish in a month, and publish detailed findings. The bill was referred to committee on the day of introduction. It aims to expose the facts behind every deadly impact, demanding the city account for the toll on streets.

• File Int 0263-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 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

Feb 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

Feb 13 - Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-02-13

Jan 30 - 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 2024-01-30

Jan 29 - A pick-up truck and sedan collided on Flatlands Avenue in Brooklyn late at night. Both male drivers suffered serious injuries to head and neck. Limited visibility contributed to the crash. Vehicles struck each other front quarter and front center.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:30 p.m. on Flatlands Avenue near Alabama Avenue in Brooklyn. Two drivers, both male and in their late 20s to early 30s, were injured. One driver sustained head injuries including contusions and bruises, while the other suffered neck injuries including fractures and dislocations. Both drivers were conscious and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The collision involved a 2018 pick-up truck traveling south and a 2018 sedan traveling west, both going straight ahead before impact. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the truck and the center front end of the sedan. The police report cites "View Obstructed/Limited" as a contributing factor, indicating driver visibility issues played a key role in the crash. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4698913 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 12 - A sedan making a left turn struck a parked sedan on Pennsylvania Avenue. The driver of the moving vehicle suffered head injuries and whiplash. The crash involved a defective accelerator. The driver was restrained and not ejected.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn collided with a parked sedan on Pennsylvania Avenue. The driver of the moving sedan, a 40-year-old woman, sustained head injuries and whiplash and was in shock. She was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists a defective accelerator as a contributing factor to the crash. The parked vehicles sustained damage to their rear quarter panels. No other contributing driver errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4687191 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 25 - An inattentive SUV driver slammed into a stopped sedan on Fountain Avenue. The sedan’s front passenger, a 31-year-old woman, suffered chest bruises. Both vehicles took heavy damage. Distraction caused the crash.

According to the police report, a 2008 SUV traveling south on Fountain Avenue rear-ended a stopped 2018 sedan. The sedan carried three people. The front passenger, a 31-year-old woman, was injured with chest contusions but stayed conscious and restrained. Police list driver inattention and distraction as the cause. The SUV’s front and the sedan’s rear were both damaged. No one was ejected. The injured passenger reported chest bruising. The report highlights driver distraction as the key factor in this rear-end collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4665241 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 12 - Two vehicles collided on Belt Parkway. An SUV struck a sedan’s left rear quarter panel. The sedan’s driver, a 29-year-old man, suffered a shoulder and upper arm injury. Obstruction or debris contributed to the crash. Both drivers were traveling eastbound.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male driver in a sedan was injured when an SUV struck the left rear quarter panel of his vehicle on Belt Parkway. The sedan driver sustained upper arm and shoulder injuries but was not ejected. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead eastbound. The report lists obstruction or debris as a contributing factor to the collision. The SUV impacted the sedan with its left front bumper. No other driver errors are noted. The injured driver was in shock but had no visible complaints. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. The crash highlights the dangers posed by roadway obstructions affecting vehicle control.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661576 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 1 - Two SUVs slammed together on Erskine Street near Vandalia. A passenger took the worst of it—neck pain, whiplash, shock. Metal twisted. Night air filled with sirens. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Erskine Street near Vandalia Avenue just before midnight. One SUV was parked, struck on its left rear quarter panel. The other was moving north, hit on its left front quarter panel. A 45-year-old female passenger suffered neck pain, whiplash, and shock. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor for both vehicles, with no specific driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Both SUVs were damaged at the point of impact. No helmet or signaling issues were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658867 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 1 - A pick-up truck hit a 38-year-old woman on a bike on Flatlands Avenue. She suffered arm injuries. Police cite driver distraction for both. Metal met flesh. The street stayed busy.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck and a bicycle collided on Flatlands Avenue near Louisiana Avenue in Brooklyn. The 38-year-old female bicyclist was injured, suffering contusions and harm to her elbow and lower arm. Police list driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for both the truck driver and the cyclist. The crash left the cyclist hurt and the truck damaged on its left side. Both vehicles were traveling north at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658723 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 29 - SUV struck sedan’s rear on Belt Parkway. Two inside sedan hurt—neck injuries, whiplash. SUV driver followed too close. Impact left both victims conscious, restrained, shaken.

According to the police report, a sport utility vehicle rear-ended a sedan on Belt Parkway while both traveled west. The SUV hit the sedan’s left rear bumper. Inside the sedan, a 36-year-old male driver and a 30-year-old female passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both remained conscious and were restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, showing the SUV driver failed to keep a safe distance. No other driver errors or victim factors were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658202 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 13 - An e-scooter sped west on Gateway Drive. Two clung on. No helmets. The scooter struck hard. A 28-year-old woman hit her head. Blood ran. She stayed awake. Skin alone shielded her. Unsafe speed ruled the night.

A violent crash unfolded on Gateway Drive near 455 in Brooklyn. An e-scooter, carrying two riders, moved west at unsafe speed. According to the police report, 'An e-scooter tore westward, too fast, two riders clinging. No helmets. No plates. It struck hard.' The woman, 28, riding as a passenger, suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. No helmets were worn, but this is noted only after the primary cause: unsafe speed. The crash highlights the danger when speed overtakes control and vulnerable riders pay the price.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656626 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 21 - A 66-year-old woman was struck by a vehicle near 590 Gateway Drive in Brooklyn. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The pedestrian was conscious and injured outside an intersection. The driver’s errors are unspecified.

According to the police report, a 66-year-old female pedestrian was injured in a crash near 590 Gateway Drive in Brooklyn. She sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene and was not at an intersection when struck. The report does not specify any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The vehicle involved is listed as unspecified, and no details about the driver’s actions or license status are provided. No helmet or signaling factors apply, and no blame is assigned to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648208 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 29 - A sedan struck the back of a pick-up truck on Belt Parkway. The sedan driver, a 57-year-old man, suffered head injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles were traveling east. Driver distraction caused the crash. The driver was conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, a 57-year-old male driver in a 2021 sedan collided with the rear of a 2018 pick-up truck on Belt Parkway. The sedan driver sustained head injuries and whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. Both vehicles were traveling straight east when the impact occurred at the center back end of the pick-up and the center front end of the sedan. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The pick-up truck driver and occupants were not reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4641672 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 14 - Two sedans crashed head-on on Belt Parkway at 2:45 a.m. One driver, 20, suffered an eye injury and bruises. Police cited unsafe speed and following too closely. Both vehicles sustained front and rear damage. The injured driver was conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling west on Belt Parkway collided. The 20-year-old driver of one sedan was injured, suffering an eye contusion and bruises. The report lists unsafe speed and following too closely as contributing factors. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. One vehicle sustained center front end damage, the other center back end damage. The second vehicle’s driver was unlicensed. The crash occurred while both vehicles were going straight ahead. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4637470 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 8 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Jun 6 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06