Third Avenue: Two Miles, Too Many Graves

Jan 16 - 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

Jan 13 - A distracted driver struck a 43-year-old man crossing with the signal on 55th Street in Brooklyn. The pedestrian suffered facial abrasions but remained conscious. The crash exposed driver inattention as a critical threat at intersections.

According to the police report, at 10:30 PM on 55th Street in Brooklyn, a vehicle traveling south struck a pedestrian at the intersection. The pedestrian, a 43-year-old male, was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper, causing abrasions to the pedestrian's face. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a primary contributing factor. The pedestrian's role was noted as 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian at Intersection,' and he was conscious after the crash. While the report also lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a secondary factor, the critical driver error was distraction. The vehicle was going straight ahead, and the damage was limited to the left front bumper. This incident underscores the persistent danger posed by distracted driving in urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785719 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 13 - 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

Jan 12 - Two sedans slammed together on 60 Street. A 19-year-old woman took a blow to the head. She suffered a concussion. Both cars crumpled at the front. The crash came with a right turn and confusion.

Two sedans collided on Brooklyn’s 60 Street at 8:25 a.m. A 19-year-old female driver was injured, suffering a head wound and concussion. According to the police report, one sedan was making a right turn while the other was involved in an unspecified pre-crash action. The impact struck the left front bumpers, mangling both vehicles. The injured driver was not ejected but was in shock. The police report lists contributing factors as unspecified. No pedestrians were involved. The crash underscores the danger of unclear maneuvers and failed coordination between drivers at the intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785716 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 11 - A 34-year-old male sedan driver suffered a head contusion after colliding with a northbound tow truck in Brooklyn. The sedan struck the tow truck’s left front bumper while traveling east. The driver remained conscious and was not ejected from the vehicle.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:50 AM in Brooklyn near 141 47th Street. A 34-year-old male sedan driver traveling east collided with a northbound tow truck. The point of impact was the center front end of the sedan and the left front bumper of the tow truck. The sedan sustained damage to its left front bumper, while the tow truck showed no damage. The sedan driver was injured, suffering a head contusion and was conscious throughout the incident. Safety equipment including an air bag and lap belt were deployed and used. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not indicate any pedestrian involvement or victim fault. The collision highlights risks posed by vehicle interactions at intersections and the potential for serious injury even when drivers are licensed and traveling straight ahead.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785266 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 9 - Two sedans crashed on the Gowanus Expressway. Defective brakes and alcohol fueled the impact. One driver suffered neck injuries and shock. Systemic danger left scars on steel and flesh.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at 5:35 AM on the Gowanus Expressway in Brooklyn. A 35-year-old male driver was injured, suffering neck trauma and shock. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Brakes Defective' as contributing factors. The crash struck the left front bumper of one sedan and the right rear bumper of the other, showing a rear-end impact. Both drivers were licensed and headed north. Defective brakes and alcohol use stand out as critical driver errors and mechanical failures that led to this injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786157 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 803 aims to keep cars out of bike lanes. Cameras would catch violators. Streets could clear. Cyclists might breathe easier. Lawmakers back the crackdown. The fight for safe passage continues.

Assembly bill A 803, now in sponsorship, proposes a bicycle lane safety program for New York City. It would enforce restrictions on bike lane use with photo devices. The bill summary reads: 'Establishes in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and/or protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Primary sponsor Zohran Mamdani leads, joined by Brian Cunningham, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Harvey Epstein, Amy Paulin, and others. The bill was introduced January 8, 2025. No safety analyst note was provided. The measure targets drivers who block or endanger cyclists.

• File A 803, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 4 - A tractor truck struck a sedan’s left rear quarter panel as it made a left turn on Hamilton Ave. The sedan driver, a 63-year-old man, suffered back injuries and whiplash. The truck driver was traveling straight westbound at the time.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:25 on Hamilton Ave involving a tractor truck and a sedan. The sedan driver, a 63-year-old man, was making a left turn when the tractor truck, traveling straight ahead westbound, collided with the sedan’s left rear quarter panel. The truck’s point of impact was its right front quarter panel. The sedan driver was injured, suffering back injuries and whiplash, and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report cites "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a contributing factor, indicating driver error related to lane use or passing maneuvers. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles legally. There is no mention of victim fault or contributing victim behaviors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784799 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 4 - Two SUVs crashed at 48th Street in Brooklyn. The front passenger in one vehicle suffered a knee and lower leg injury. Both drivers were licensed women. Impact occurred at the center front end and right front bumper of the vehicles. Passenger in shock.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided at 48th Street and 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn at 1:43 PM. One SUV was traveling north going straight ahead when it impacted the other SUV on its right front bumper. The collision caused center front end damage to the first vehicle and right front bumper damage to the second. A 51-year-old female front passenger in the first vehicle sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and was reported to be in shock. Both drivers were licensed females from New York. The report does not specify contributing factors or driver errors, listing them as unspecified. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The focus remains on the collision between the two vehicles and the resulting passenger injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783594 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 1 - 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