Third Avenue: Two Miles, Too Many Graves

A motorcycle struck the left rear of an SUV traveling north on 4th Avenue in Brooklyn. The motorcycle driver, a 60-year-old man, was ejected and suffered severe leg injuries. Police cited following too closely as the cause.

According to the police report, a motorcycle collided with the left rear bumper of a 2017 SUV traveling north on 4th Avenue in Brooklyn. The motorcycle driver, a 60-year-old man, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The motorcycle driver was not wearing any safety equipment. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4637955 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A sedan traveling west on the Gowanus Expressway was struck from behind by an SUV stopped in traffic. The sedan driver suffered a neck contusion. The SUV driver was distracted and reacted to an uninvolved vehicle, causing the collision.

According to the police report, a westbound sedan was hit in the left front bumper by a stationary SUV's right rear bumper on the Gowanus Expressway. The sedan driver, a conscious male occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained a neck contusion and bruising. The report lists driver inattention and distraction, along with reaction to an uninvolved vehicle, as contributing factors. The SUV driver was stopped in traffic when the collision occurred. No ejections or pedestrian involvement were reported. The crash highlights driver errors related to distraction and improper reaction to traffic conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4636442 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

Sammy’s Law would let New York City drop speed limits to 20 mph on deadly streets. Council Member Gutierrez led the charge. Brooks-Powers joined. Streets scarred by crashes and deaths. Lower speeds mean fewer bodies broken. The city waits. Lives hang in the balance.

Sammy’s Law, debated by the NYC Council and State Legislature, seeks home rule for New York City to lower speed limits from 25 to 20 mph on dangerous streets. Council Member Jen Gutierrez carried the resolution; Selvena Brooks-Powers later signed on. The bill targets corridors like Bushwick Avenue, Laurelton Parkway, and East Gun Hill Road—sites of hundreds of crashes and dozens killed or maimed since 2019. The matter summary states: 'Because people are dying and being maimed on New York's most-dangerous 25-mile-per-hour streets.' Supporters, including State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, cite the science: lower speeds mean less force, fewer deaths. Research shows 20 mph zones cut crashes by 60 percent. The bill does not mandate, but allows, lower limits where carnage is highest. The council’s action centers the lives of pedestrians and cyclists, demanding the city act before more are lost.

• MAP QUEST: See Exactly Why Sammy’s Law Would Be So Crucial for the Boroughs, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-08

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

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

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

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

A moped slammed into a Jeep on 4th Avenue. The young rider flew off and struck his head. He died in the street. The crash happened in darkness. Police cited traffic control disregarded.

A deadly crash unfolded at the corner of 4th Avenue and 52nd Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a moped hit the side of a Jeep. The 21-year-old unlicensed moped rider was ejected, suffered a fatal head injury, and died at the scene. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. The Jeep driver was licensed and uninjured. The moped had no registered license, and the rider wore no helmet. The crash happened in darkness, with no other injuries reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4634351 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A 28-year-old male sedan driver suffered a fractured knee and dislocated lower leg after a collision on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV hit the sedan’s left rear bumper. Unsafe lane changing and speeding caused the crash.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn involving a 2014 sedan and a 2005 SUV. The SUV struck the left rear bumper of the sedan while both vehicles were traveling south. The sedan driver, a 28-year-old man, was injured with a fractured knee and dislocated lower leg. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists unsafe lane changing and unsafe speed as contributing factors to the crash. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The impact damaged the right front bumper of the sedan and the left rear bumper of the SUV.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4634359 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

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 2023-06-01

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 2023-05-31

A Ford SUV struck a Nissan sedan on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. Both drivers suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. The SUV hit the sedan’s left side doors. Police cited traffic control disregard as the cause. Both drivers were conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, a 2016 Ford SUV traveling south on 4 Avenue collided with a 2017 Nissan sedan traveling east. The SUV impacted the sedan’s left side doors. Both drivers, a 35-year-old male in the SUV and a 22-year-old male passenger in the sedan, sustained full-body injuries including whiplash. Both were conscious and wearing seat belts. The report lists "Traffic Control Disregarded" as the primary contributing factor. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted. The crash caused center front end damage to the SUV and left side door damage to the sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4632335 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

Council backs home rule for Sammy’s Law. The move lets New York City set speed limits below 25 mph. Lawmakers and advocates say lower speeds mean fewer deaths. The bill honors Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a reckless driver. The vote puts safety first.

Bill: Home rule message for Sammy’s Law. Status: Poised for passage by the City Council on May 24, 2023. Committee: State and Federal Legislation, chaired by Council Member Shaun Abreu. The measure, titled 'City Council Poised to Pass ‘Home Rule’ Message for Sammy’s Law on Thursday,' lets New York City lower speed limits below 25 mph. Council Member Jen Gutierrez announced the Council’s intent to pass it, calling it crucial for safety. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'The city's ability to control the speed limits on its streets plays a crucial role in delivering traffic safety.' Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Mayor Eric Adams, and State Senator Andrew Gounardes all support the move. The bill honors Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a reckless driver. Data cited shows lower speed limits increase pedestrian survival. Advocates stress urgency to protect New Yorkers.

• City Council Poised to Pass ‘Home Rule’ Message for Sammy’s Law on Thursday, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-24

Senate bill S 7099 orders complete street design in all DOT projects with state or federal funds. Streets must serve walkers, cyclists, and riders. No more car-first blueprints. Gounardes leads. Hoylman-Sigal, Krueger back him.

Senate bill S 7099, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York Senate. Filed May 18, 2023, the bill 'requires inclusion of complete street design for state and local transportation projects undertaken by DOT or which receive both federal and state funding and are subject to DOT oversight.' Senator Andrew Gounardes sponsors the measure. Senators Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Liz Krueger co-sponsor. The bill demands every street project under DOT control put people first—pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders. No safety analyst note is available yet. The bill aims to end car-centric planning.

• File S 7099, Open States, Published 2023-05-18

A 26-year-old man on an e-scooter was injured in Brooklyn. The SUV made a right turn and struck the scooter’s left front quarter panel. The rider suffered facial abrasions. Driver errors included improper lane usage and unsafe speed.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male e-scooter driver was injured after a collision with a 2003 Acura SUV in Brooklyn on 42 Street near 4 Avenue. The SUV was making a right turn while the e-scooter was traveling straight north. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the scooter and the right front quarter panel of the SUV. The injured rider suffered abrasions to the face but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists driver errors as "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" and "Unsafe Speed" for the scooter driver, as well as "Driver Inattention/Distraction" for the SUV driver. No helmet or signaling issues were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4629654 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-05-16

A 25-year-old male driver suffered knee and lower leg fractures after a collision on 4 Avenue. The sedan, making a left turn, struck an unknown party. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the cause. The driver was conscious and injured.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old male driver was injured while making a left turn on 4 Avenue. The sedan collided with an unknown party, resulting in fractures and dislocations to the driver's knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The driver was conscious and not using any safety equipment at the time. The vehicle sustained no damage despite the impact to the center front end. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4626603 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A driver killed Katherine Harris on Atlantic Avenue. Politicians demand mid-block crossings, daylighted intersections, and curb extensions. They call the street a speedway. They blame city inaction. They vow to push for changes. The city promises only to study.

On May 1, 2023, after the death of Katherine Harris, Brooklyn Heights Council Member Lincoln Restler and State Senator Andrew Gounardes called for urgent safety fixes on Atlantic Avenue. At a rally, Restler said, "It is wrong how deadly this strip is." The officials demand mid-block crossings, daylighted intersections, raised crosswalks, curb extensions, and safer pedestrian space near BQE ramps. Borough President Antonio Reynoso criticized city resistance to reallocating street space, saying, "They drag their feet because they don’t want to do the inevitable." The Department of Transportation has agreed only to study new crosswalks. The bill is not yet formal legislation but marks a push for action after years of delay. No safety analyst assessment is available.

• In Wake of Death, Pols Want Mid-Block Crossings, Safer Atlantic Ave., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-01

Sammy’s Law, which lets New York City set speed limits below 25 mph, failed to make the state budget. The Council now holds the power. Lawmakers stall. Streets stay deadly. Victims’ families and advocates demand action. Lives hang in the balance.

Sammy’s Law, named for 12-year-old Sammy Cohen Eckstein, would let New York City lower speed limits below 25 mph. The bill failed to enter the 2023 state budget, shifting responsibility to the City Council. In 2021, the Council backed a home rule message 42-6, but the Assembly blocked it. Last year, the Council reversed course and failed to pass the message. This session, Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez introduced a resolution urging passage, with 10 sponsors. Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers must hold a hearing before a vote. Speaker Adrienne Adams and Brooks-Powers have not signed on, citing negotiations. The bill’s summary states: 'Life-saving legislation that would allow New York City to set speed limits below 25 miles per hour failed to make it into this year's state budget.' Data show slower speeds save lives. Advocates and victims’ families keep pushing. The Council’s inaction keeps streets dangerous.

• With ‘Sammy’s Law’ Not in the State Budget, It’s Up to the City Council to Push It, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-01

A sedan traveling south on 3 Avenue struck a right rear passenger during an unsafe lane change. The 9-year-old girl suffered neck injuries and shock. The driver was licensed. The crash caused right front bumper damage to the sedan.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on 3 Avenue in Brooklyn was involved in a crash caused by unsafe lane changing. The collision impacted the right front bumper of the sedan. A 9-year-old female occupant seated in the right rear passenger position was injured, suffering neck pain and shock. She was restrained by a lap belt and was not ejected. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead before the crash. The report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4625709 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12