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

Jun 3 - 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

May 21 - 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 2024-05-21

May 16 - 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

May 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

Apr 29 - A 52-year-old woman driver suffered head injuries and whiplash after a distracted moment while making a U-turn in Brooklyn. The SUV’s left front bumper struck an object or surface, causing shock and injury without ejection from the vehicle.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Brooklyn near 1325 Pennsylvania Avenue at 7:14 p.m. The driver, a 52-year-old female licensed in North Carolina, was operating a 2020 Nissan SUV traveling north. The vehicle was making a U-turn when the left front bumper made impact. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The driver was not ejected but sustained head injuries and whiplash, resulting in shock. She was wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved, and no victim behavior contributed to the crash. The incident highlights the dangers of distracted driving during complex maneuvers like U-turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721142 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 15 - Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2024-04-15

Apr 12 - Two sedans slammed together on Belt Parkway. Metal crumpled. A young driver took a neck injury. No pedestrians. No cyclist. Police list no cause. The road stayed hard and fast.

According to the police report, two sedans collided while heading westbound on Belt Parkway. The Ford sedan was struck on its left side doors by the Toyota sedan's right front bumper. The 20-year-old male Ford driver suffered a neck injury, described as whiplash, but was conscious and not ejected. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Damage centered on the Ford's left side and the Toyota's front bumper. The crash left one driver injured, with no further details on other occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717010 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 2 - A pick-up truck making a left turn struck a 65-year-old woman crossing Pennsylvania Avenue outside an intersection. The pedestrian suffered bruises and arm injuries. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing the collision at 8 p.m.

According to the police report, at 8 p.m., a pick-up truck traveling east on Pennsylvania Avenue was making a left turn when it struck a 65-year-old female pedestrian crossing outside an intersection. The point of impact was the truck's center front end. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, with an injury severity rated as moderate (3). The report explicitly cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. The vehicle sustained no damage. This crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to yield to pedestrians outside designated crossing areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714414 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 27 - 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 2024-03-27

Mar 26 - A taxi struck the rear of an SUV traveling eastbound on Belt Parkway. The SUV driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited the taxi driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause. Both drivers were licensed men, one injured.

According to the police report, at 20:36, a taxi traveling eastbound on Belt Parkway collided with the rear of a slowing or stopping SUV. The taxi driver, a licensed male, failed to maintain a safe following distance, listed twice as 'Following Too Closely' in the contributing factors. The SUV driver, also a licensed male occupant wearing a lap belt, sustained neck injuries and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. The point of impact was the taxi’s center front end striking the SUV’s center back end. The report highlights the taxi driver’s error as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the SUV driver. This crash underscores the dangers of tailgating on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712911 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 25 - A 28-year-old male driver suffered full-body injuries and shock after his sedan struck an object head-on during a right turn on Erskine Street in Brooklyn. The vehicle sustained front-end damage. The driver was restrained but reported pain and nausea.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old male driver was injured in a crash on Erskine Street, Brooklyn, at 1:54 a.m. The driver was operating a 2008 Acura sedan traveling east and was making a right turn when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle, which sustained damage to the same area. The driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. He suffered injuries to his entire body, experienced shock, and complained of pain and nausea. The report lists two unspecified contributing factors related to the driver but does not identify any pedestrian or cyclist involvement. The crash was a single-vehicle event, highlighting driver error or loss of control as the primary cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712176 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 20 - 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

Mar 19 - SUV struck a 20-year-old man crossing Vandalia Avenue with the signal. Driver was inattentive and failed to yield. The impact broke and dislocated the pedestrian’s arm and hand. The street became a site of pain.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old male pedestrian was crossing Vandalia Avenue with the signal when an SUV making a right turn struck him with its center front end. The pedestrian suffered a fracture and dislocation to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as contributing factors. The pedestrian was following the signal at the intersection. No other contributing factors are noted. The crash underscores the risk posed by drivers who fail to yield and pay attention at crossings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4711428 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 19 - 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

Mar 11 - Two sedans collided head-to-tail on Belt Parkway. The rear driver, a 58-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles were traveling westbound. The crash caused center rear and front damage to the vehicles involved.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:05 on Belt Parkway involving two sedans traveling westbound. The rear vehicle, a 2015 Ford driven by a 58-year-old licensed female driver, struck the center back end of the front 2021 Honda sedan. The impact caused center back end damage to the Ford and center front end damage to the Honda. The Ford driver, an occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained neck injuries and complained of whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any pedestrian or cyclist involvement. The collision type and damage indicate a failure to maintain safe following distance or attention by the rear driver, a common driver error in rear-end crashes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709137 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 7 - Council moves to force DOT to post clear bus lane signs on every block. Riders and walkers need to know when cars must stay out. The bill demands public, block-by-block rules. No more guessing. Streets reveal their rules.

Int 0647-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on March 7, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to bus lane restrictions," orders DOT to post signs on each block with bus lane rules and to publish hours online. Sponsors include Althea V. Stevens (primary), Chris Banks, Chi A. Ossé, Nantasha M. Williams, Carmen N. De La Rosa, Amanda Farías, Yusef Salaam, and Kevin C. Riley. The measure aims to end confusion and make bus lane rules plain for all. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0647-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Mar 7 - Council wants every e-bike and scooter tagged and tracked. Plates on wheels. Riders face new rules. Lawmakers say it’s about order. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait.

Int 0606-2024 was introduced on March 7, 2024, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring that every bicycle with electric assist, electric scooter and other legal motorized vehicle be licensed and registered," would force all e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles not covered by DMV rules to register with DOT and display visible plates. Council Member Inna Vernikov is the primary sponsor, joined by 26 co-sponsors including Holden, Farías, Riley, and others. The bill was laid over in committee and has not advanced. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• File Int 0606-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Mar 5 - A 32-year-old woman was injured crossing Pennsylvania Avenue with the signal. The sedan driver failed to yield right-of-way and was distracted. The pedestrian suffered bruising and arm injuries in the Brooklyn intersection crash.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Pennsylvania Avenue struck a 32-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred around 8:50 p.m. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand but remained conscious. The report explicitly identifies the driver’s errors without attributing fault to the pedestrian, who was lawfully crossing. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and failure to yield in Brooklyn intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707857 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 1 - Two sedans traveling westbound on Belt Parkway collided late at night. The impact struck the right front bumper of one vehicle and the left rear quarter panel of the other. A 37-year-old female driver suffered chest injuries and shock.

According to the police report, two sedans were traveling westbound on Belt Parkway around 10:40 PM when they collided. The first vehicle, a 2021 Hyundai sedan, was struck on its right front bumper. The second vehicle, a 2006 Acura sedan, sustained damage to its left rear quarter panel. The 37-year-old female driver of the Acura was injured, suffering chest trauma and shock. She was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the female driver but does not specify driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision highlights risks of multi-vehicle crashes on Belt Parkway at night.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4706604 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 28 - Council bill pushes DOT to let schools, centers, and institutions use streets outside their doors. More people, less traffic. Streets shift from cars to community. Still in committee.

Int 0450-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since February 28, 2024. The bill orders DOT to create a program letting community centers, schools, arts, and religious institutions use adjacent outdoor spaces. The matter title reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to establish a program to allow community centers, schools, arts and cultural institutions and religious institutions to use adjacent outdoor spaces.' Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads, joined by Stevens, Restler, Won, and others. The bill has not yet passed. If enacted, it could reclaim space from cars, giving it to people. No formal safety analysis yet, but the measure could mean safer, more vibrant streets for all.

• File Int 0450-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28