Dragged to Death: City Lets Kids Bleed for Parking Spots

Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Two sedans crashed on Pacific Street. An 80-year-old front passenger took the hit. His upper arm hurt. He was in shock. Police blame unsafe speed. Both drivers walked away, shaken but unhurt.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Pacific Street near Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn at 9:00 AM. The crash involved unsafe speed as the contributing factor. An 80-year-old male front passenger suffered upper arm injuries and shock, with complaints of pain or nausea. Both vehicles were initially parked and then traveling west. The impact struck the center back end and left rear bumper of the sedans. Both drivers held valid licenses and were not physically injured. The police report highlights unsafe speed as the driver error leading to the crash. No contributing factors related to the victims' actions were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757875 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan hit a 55-year-old woman as she stepped out from near a parked car on Troy Avenue. She suffered back injuries and shock. Police cite driver error. The street remains dangerous for those on foot.

According to the police report, a 55-year-old female pedestrian was injured at Troy Avenue and Saint Johns Place in Brooklyn at 8:15 PM. She was emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle when a westbound sedan struck her. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor twice, highlighting driver error or vehicle-related issues. The woman suffered a back injury and was in shock, with complaints of pain or nausea. No damage was reported to the vehicle. No contributing factors were attributed to the pedestrian. The incident underscores the persistent risk drivers pose to people walking near parked cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757812 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan slammed a stopped car on Pacific Street. Neck injury for the driver. Police blame improper lane use. Metal twisted. Traffic halted. Pain followed.

According to the police report, a crash unfolded on Pacific Street in Brooklyn at 16:15. A 2018 Volkswagen, heading west, struck the left front quarter panel of a 2011 Nissan sedan that was stopped in traffic. The Nissan's driver, a 46-year-old woman, suffered a neck injury and complained of whiplash. She was conscious and wore a lap belt and harness. The police report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error in lane management. No other contributing factors or victim actions were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757811 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 70-year-old woman was struck by a sedan making a right turn on Nostrand Avenue. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the vehicle, driven by a distracted driver, hit her in the back. She suffered bruising and back injury.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Nostrand Avenue made a right turn and struck a 70-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing at the intersection with the signal. The collision occurred at 15:47 in Brooklyn. The pedestrian sustained a back contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The vehicle's point of impact was the center front end, and despite the collision, the sedan showed no damage. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was operating the vehicle with three occupants inside. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal was noted but not cited as a contributing factor. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction during turning maneuvers in busy urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756264 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 17-year-old male bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after a Ford SUV made an improper left turn on Franklin Avenue. The driver disregarded traffic controls, colliding front-to-front with the cyclist traveling northbound.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Franklin Avenue at 13:14. The SUV driver, a licensed female from New York, was making a left turn southbound when she collided with a 17-year-old male bicyclist traveling northbound straight ahead. The report cites the SUV driver's errors as 'Turning Improperly' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' The bicyclist was injured with abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The collision impacted the center front ends of both vehicles. The bicyclist had no safety equipment listed. The contributing factors emphasize driver error and failure to obey traffic controls, with no mention of victim fault.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753919 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A chain collision involving an SUV and a van on Atlantic Avenue left a 33-year-old female driver injured and in shock. Both vehicles were traveling west when the crash occurred. Following too closely was cited as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Atlantic Avenue around 8:30 AM. The collision involved a 2015 SUV and a 2000 van, both traveling westbound. The SUV driver, a 33-year-old woman, was injured and experienced shock but was not ejected from the vehicle. The report explicitly cites 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor for the crash. The SUV sustained damage to the right side doors, while the van had damage to its right front bumper. The chain collision was initiated by failure to maintain a safe distance, leading to impact on the left side doors of an unspecified vehicle and right side doors of the SUV. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights driver error related to maintaining unsafe following distances in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755051 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 33-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries after being struck while crossing Utica Avenue against the signal. The impact left him in shock with whiplash. The crash highlights dangers when pedestrians cross unsafely amid moving traffic.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old male pedestrian was injured on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn at 16:57. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal when the collision occurred. He sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock with complaints of whiplash. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the driver or vehicle, nor does it specify vehicle type or driver actions. The pedestrian's action of crossing against the signal is noted as a factor, but no driver errors such as failure to yield are documented in the data. The incident underscores the risks present at non-intersection crossings when signals are ignored.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749782 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

A 56-year-old male driver lost consciousness while entering a parked position, crashing his sedan head-on. He sustained a fractured and dislocated upper arm but was not ejected. The crash occurred in Brooklyn near Saint Johns Place at 3:05 a.m.

According to the police report, the driver, a 56-year-old man, lost consciousness due to illness while operating a sedan traveling east in Brooklyn. The vehicle was entering a parked position when the driver lost control, resulting in a center front end collision. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. The injuries reported include a fractured, distorted, and dislocated upper arm. The contributing factors listed are 'Lost Consciousness' and 'Illness,' indicating the driver’s medical condition caused the crash. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved, and no other driver errors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747064 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Mayor Adams’s DOT has proposed just seven miles of new bus lanes for 2024. The law requires thirty. Riders wait. Buses crawl. Advocates rage. The city drags its feet. Streets stay dangerous. The promise of safer, faster transit goes unmet.

""It s unacceptable that Mayor Adams has not prioritized improving bus speeds, service, and reliability with the tools he has at his control,"" -- Zellnor Myrie

On August 5, 2024, the Department of Transportation revealed it has proposed only seven miles of bus priority lanes for the year—less than a quarter of the thirty miles required annually by the Streets Master Plan law. This marks the lowest bus lane mileage since 2018. The matter, titled 'Adams Has Proposed Just 7 Miles of Bus Lanes This Year — Less Than 1/4 of Requirement,' has drawn sharp criticism. State Sen. Zellnor Myrie called it 'unacceptable that Mayor Adams has not prioritized improving bus speeds, service, and reliability.' Scott Stringer accused the administration of using 'community engagement as an excuse to not get things done.' Brad Lander pledged to push for more dedicated bus lanes. Riders like Alex Gean described daily gridlock. The DOT claims more lanes are coming, but offers no details. Vulnerable road users—bus riders, pedestrians—remain at risk as the city fails to meet its own safety and mobility targets.

• Adams Has Proposed Just 7 Miles of Bus Lanes This Year — Less Than 1/4 of Requirement, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-05

A 57-year-old man, helmeted but unlicensed, rode his motorcycle straight into a parked Hino van on Saint Johns Place. The van did not move. He struck headfirst and died there. The crash report cites driver inattention or distraction.

According to the police report, a 57-year-old man operating a Jiajue motorcycle collided headfirst with the center back end of a parked Hino refrigerated van on Saint Johns Place near Utica Avenue in Brooklyn. The report states the motorcyclist was helmeted but unlicensed. The van was stationary and unoccupied at the time of the crash. The narrative describes the motorcycle crumpling on impact and the rider dying at the scene from head injuries. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor in the crash. No actions by the van or its driver contributed to the incident, as the vehicle was parked. The report notes the rider's helmet use and unlicensed status, but cites driver inattention as the primary factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745063 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A southbound SUV making a left turn struck a northbound bicyclist on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Atlantic Avenue near Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn at 14:43. A 44-year-old male bicyclist traveling north was struck by a southbound 2024 Toyota SUV making a left turn. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but highlights the SUV driver's left turn maneuver as the critical action preceding the collision. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The SUV driver was licensed and driving southbound while making the left turn. Both vehicles suffered front-end damage. No pedestrian or cyclist errors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750139 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped driver struck a parked SUV on Atlantic Avenue. She suffered arm and hand injuries. Police cite driver inattention for both drivers. The moped’s front end was damaged. The SUV was not.

According to the police report, a moped and a Jeep SUV, both initially parked, collided on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn at 11:15. The moped driver, a 37-year-old woman, was injured with abrasions to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. She was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor for both drivers. The SUV, registered in New Jersey, had no reported damage. The moped’s front end was damaged in the crash. No victim actions are listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744638 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A chain-reaction crash on Park Place in Brooklyn injured two vehicle occupants. Drivers stopped in traffic were struck from behind. Police cite driver inattention and unsafe speed as key factors. Both injured victims suffered back injuries and whiplash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Park Place in Brooklyn at 8:33 AM. Multiple vehicles traveling east were stopped in traffic when a chain-reaction rear-end collision unfolded. The report identifies "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a primary contributing factor, along with "Unsafe Speed" for one driver. Two occupants were injured: a 31-year-old female driver and a 38-year-old male passenger, both sustaining back injuries and whiplash. The vehicles involved included sedans and SUVs, with impact points primarily at the center back ends of stopped vehicles. The report explicitly notes driver errors without attributing fault to the victims. No pedestrian or cyclist involvement was reported. The collision highlights the dangers of distracted driving and unsafe speed in congested traffic conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743535 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV hit a 22-year-old woman on a bike. Her knee and lower leg shattered. Police cite driver for ignoring traffic control and inattention. Blood on the pavement. The cyclist stayed conscious.

According to the police report, a 2012 Chrysler SUV struck a 22-year-old female bicyclist on Pacific Street at 16:15. The bicyclist suffered a fracture, distortion, and dislocation to her knee and lower leg. Police list 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the SUV driver's errors. The cyclist was not ejected and remained conscious at the scene. The impact hit the right side of the bike and the SUV's front. No vehicle damage was reported. The bicyclist was not using safety equipment, but the report attributes the crash to driver errors, not actions by the cyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742429 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 48-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries when a taxi backing north on Kingsborough Walk hit her. The pedestrian was not in the roadway. The taxi showed no vehicle damage. Police report lists unspecified contributing factors.

According to the police report, a 48-year-old female pedestrian was injured by a 2014 Toyota taxi backing north near 353 Kingsborough Walk in Brooklyn at 12:35. The taxi was backing up when the collision occurred, impacting the pedestrian at the center back end of the vehicle. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to the knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity 3, and remained conscious. The taxi showed no damage. The report cites unspecified contributing factors but does not list any driver errors explicitly such as failure to yield or speeding. The pedestrian was noted as 'not in roadway,' and no victim behaviors were identified as contributing. The focus remains on the taxi's backing maneuver as the critical action preceding the injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741852 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A parked sedan struck a 57-year-old man crossing Saint Johns Place. The impact left him with head injuries and bruises. No driver errors listed. The street stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a 57-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a parked BMW sedan struck him on Saint Johns Place in Brooklyn at 10:10 AM. The man was crossing outside a crosswalk. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The sedan was stationary before the crash and showed no damage. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited in the report. The pedestrian suffered head injuries and bruising but remained conscious. The report focuses on confusion as a factor in the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740161 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04