Bay Ridge Bleeds—City Shrugs. Demand Action Before Another Family Mourns.

Drunk drivers who kill a parent may pay child support for up to 18 years. Lawmakers Gounardes and Meeks push bills to force accountability. Few drivers face these charges now. The aim: make killers pay, not just serve time.

""If you drive recklessly, you are going to be held accountable,"" -- Andrew Gounardes

Senate bill, drafted by State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Demond Meeks, would require convicted drunk drivers who kill a custodial parent to pay child support until the victim’s children turn 18. The proposal, announced July 8, 2022, mirrors a Tennessee law. The bill targets drivers convicted of vehicular manslaughter (first or second degree) or aggravated vehicular homicide. Gounardes said, 'If you drive recklessly, you are going to be held accountable.' He stressed the lack of accountability and financial compensation for victims’ families. The bill is limited to drunk drivers for now, but Gounardes hopes to expand it to all reckless drivers who kill. Few drivers are convicted under these charges in New York City. The measure sends a clear message: kill a parent, pay for it—literally and for years.

• Drunk Drivers Who Kill Could Be Paying for their Crime for Almost 20 Years, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-08

A sedan traveling south on 7 Avenue collided with a parked vehicle. The driver, a 54-year-old woman, suffered unspecified injuries and shock. The impact damaged the left front quarter panel of the sedan. No other injuries reported.

According to the police report, a 2005 Subaru sedan traveling south on 7 Avenue struck a parked vehicle. The driver, a 54-year-old woman, was injured with unspecified severity and experienced shock. The sedan sustained damage to its left front quarter panel. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. The parked vehicle had no occupants at the time. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The driver was licensed in New York. The collision occurred at 16:32. No ejections or safety equipment details were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4543661 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A two-year-old girl was injured crossing a Brooklyn street. She suffered abrasions and leg injuries. The sedan involved showed no damage. The child was conscious and treated for lower leg wounds. The crash occurred away from an intersection.

According to the police report, a two-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing 310 73 Street in Brooklyn. She sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was engaged in other actions in the roadway. The sedan involved, driven by a licensed male driver traveling west and going straight ahead, showed no damage and had no point of impact recorded. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The child was conscious at the scene. No safety equipment or helmet use was noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4543067 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Governor Hochul signed the bill. Speed cameras in New York City now operate around the clock. No more nighttime gaps. Deborah Glick backed the measure. The law aims to slow cars, protect people, and keep streets safer for everyone.

On June 24, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill extending and expanding New York City's speed camera program. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymember Deborah Glick (District 66) and Senator Andrew Gounardes, allows speed cameras to operate 24/7 in up to 750 school zones. The bill was set to expire but now runs through July 1, 2025. The matter summary states: 'New York City is now able to operate its speed cameras 24 hours a day.' Glick, who sponsored the bill, dismissed criticism that cameras are a cash grab, saying, 'The city isn't in the car with you... If you don't want to get a ticket, don't speed.' Mayor Eric Adams called the cameras a deterrent, not a punishment. Advocates say the law will slow cars and protect pedestrians, especially children. The bill passed just before the legislative session ended, closing a deadly loophole in city enforcement.

• NYC speed cameras can now operate 24/7, gothamist.com, Published 2022-06-24

Governor Hochul signed a bill making school zone speed cameras run all day, every day. No more gaps. Crashes and injuries near schools drove the change. The law dropped tougher penalties, but sponsors vow to keep fighting. Streets stay dangerous. Cameras now never sleep.

On June 24, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill expanding New York City's school zone speed camera program to operate 24/7, year-round. The bill, sponsored by Assembly Member Deborah Glick and State Senator Andrew Gounardes, was passed after statistics showed rising crashes and injuries near schools. The matter summary: 'The city's school zone speed cameras will now operate 24/7 year-round.' Hochul cited student deaths and the need for constant protection. Mayor Adams called the program a national model, noting, '72 percent of fatalities have been happening when the cameras were off.' The bill was weakened from its original form, dropping escalating fines and stricter penalties for repeat offenders due to City Council concerns. Glick and Gounardes pledged to push for stronger measures. A separate bill to expand red light cameras failed. The new law closes deadly loopholes but leaves enforcement gaps for repeat offenders.

• Hochul Signs Speed Camera Bill, Citing Streetsblog’s Coverage of Unsafe School Streets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-24

A 71-year-old woman was struck at an intersection in Brooklyn. The SUV made a left turn and hit her with its left front bumper. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee and lower leg. She was conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 71-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing against the signal at an intersection on 92 Street and Gatling Place in Brooklyn. The driver, a licensed male in a 2012 Nissan SUV, was making a left turn when the vehicle's left front bumper struck the pedestrian. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond the pedestrian crossing against the signal. The pedestrian was conscious and treated for moderate injuries at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4537964 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

An e-bike rider struck a parked sedan on 86 Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to the elbow and lower arm. The sedan showed no damage. The rider was conscious and wearing a helmet. No driver errors were specified.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old male e-bike rider collided with a parked 2012 sedan on 86 Street in Brooklyn. The rider sustained abrasions and injuries to the elbow, lower arm, and hand but was conscious and not ejected. The sedan, occupied by a licensed male driver, showed no damage. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors for either party. The e-bike rider wore a helmet, but no helmet-related factors were noted as contributing. The crash involved the e-bike traveling west and the sedan parked with impact on its left side doors. The incident highlights the vulnerability of cyclists even when colliding with stationary vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4536048 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 78-year-old man driving an SUV suffered back injuries in a crash on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The collision involved a pickup truck. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. Unsafe lane changing caused the crash.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway involving a 2021 Chevrolet SUV and a pickup truck. The SUV driver, a 78-year-old man, was injured with back pain and nausea but was not ejected from the vehicle. He was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists "Unsafe Lane Changing" as a contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The pickup truck details and driver information were not provided. The impact occurred at the left front bumper of the SUV, which sustained damage to the right front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4534795 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Albany extended 24/7 school-zone speed cameras for three years. Lawmakers failed to pass Sammy’s Law and other vital safety bills. Advocates called the session a partial victory, but vulnerable road users remain at risk. Progress, but not enough. Streets stay dangerous.

The 2022 New York State legislative session ended on June 6, 2022. Lawmakers extended and expanded New York City’s school-zone speed camera program to operate 24/7 for three more years. The bill passed, but was watered down from its original form. Other key street safety bills, including 'Sammy’s Law'—which would let NYC set its own speed limits—did not advance. Senator Andrew Gounardes called the speed camera win 'monumental,' while Senator Brad Hoylman said, 'not as much as any of us would have wanted to see, but for the first time, speed cameras are normalized.' Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives voiced disappointment over the failure of Sammy’s Law, calling it a top priority for Families for Safe Streets. Several other bills to protect pedestrians and cyclists stalled or died in committee. The session brought some progress, but left many dangers unaddressed.

• THE ALBANY REPORT: A Historic, Yet Deeply Disappointing, Glass-Half-Empty Legislative Session, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-06

Albany lawmakers extended 24/7 speed cameras but stalled on key safety bills. Local control over speed limits failed. Some progress, much disappointment. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. Council Member Adrienne Adams was mentioned. The fight for safer streets continues.

""We never get everything we fight for that's the nature of the process, but the speed camera win is monumental,"" -- Andrew Gounardes

The 2022 New York State legislative session reviewed transportation and street safety policy, with Council Member Adrienne Adams (District 28) mentioned in coverage. Lawmakers extended New York City's school-zone speed camera program for three years, allowing 24/7 operation—a win for street safety. The bill, however, was watered down. Other measures under the 'Crash Victims Rights and Safety Act' saw mixed results: some passed, like upstate towns setting 25 mph speed limits and increased complete streets funding; others, like 'Sammy's Law' for NYC speed limits and expanded safe passing for cyclists, stalled. The matter title called the session 'historic, yet deeply disappointing.' Adams was not a sponsor but was referenced in the debate. Advocates and senators voiced frustration at the lack of progress on local speed limit control and measures against repeat reckless drivers. The session left vulnerable road users without key protections.

• THE ALBANY REPORT: A Historic, Yet Deeply Disappointing, Glass-Half-Empty Legislative Session, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-06-06

A sedan making a left turn hit a pedestrian crossing Bay Ridge Avenue with the signal. The woman suffered a head contusion. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way. The impact damaged the sedan’s left front bumper.

According to the police report, a 2016 Toyota sedan traveling east on Bay Ridge Avenue was making a left turn when it struck a female pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report lists driver errors as 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The sedan’s left front bumper was damaged on impact. The pedestrian was not at fault. The driver was licensed in Florida and had two occupants in the vehicle at the time.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4533833 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-06-02

State Senate passed bill to run speed cameras all day, every day. The vote was 51 to 12. Cameras now catch speeders at night and on weekends. Most deaths happen off-hours. Expansion aims to cut deadly crashes citywide.

On May 31, 2022, the State Senate approved a bill to extend and expand New York City's speed camera program. The measure passed 51-12 and now moves to the Assembly. The bill allows cameras to operate 24/7 in nearly 2,000 locations across 750 school zones until July 1, 2025. The matter summary states, 'The proposal to extend New York City's speed camera program for another three years and expand it to run every day and around the clock easily passed.' Senator Andrew Gounardes sponsored the bill, saying, 'We are going to see a marked reduction in traffic violence on our streets at a time when traffic deaths are at their highest in a decade.' Simcha Felder, Democrat from District 44, voted against. The expansion targets off-hours, which account for 59% of traffic deaths. Speeding dropped 72% and deaths fell 55% where cameras operated. The city pushed for this as fatalities rose under Mayor Adams. Some penalties for repeat speeders were removed during negotiations.

• State Senate votes to approve 24-hour speed cameras in NYC, amny.com, Published 2022-06-01

The State Senate backed Sen. Gounardes’s bill to run speed cameras nonstop in city school zones. The vote was 51-12. Supporters cited lives lost to speeding. Opponents called it a cash grab. The Assembly must act before the session ends.

Bill S. (no number given) passed the New York State Senate on June 1, 2022, by a 51-12 vote. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Gounardes, reauthorizes and expands New York City’s school-zone speed camera program to operate 24/7. The measure was debated in the Senate, with Sen. Robert Jackson and Gounardes defending it: 'Cars speeding in New York kill New Yorkers, injure New Yorkers.' Gounardes called the cameras 'life-saving.' Opponents, including Sen. Andrew Lanza, dismissed the program as a 'cash register.' Danny Harris of Transportation Alternatives said, 'When New York City’s speed safety cameras turn off, speeding increases and crashes rise.' The bill awaits Assembly action before the legislative session ends.

• State Senate Overwhelmingly Supports 24/7 Speed Cameras for the City, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-01

Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-06-01

Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-05-31

A 20-year-old man was hit by an SUV on 68 Street in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal. The driver, traveling west, struck him with the vehicle’s left front bumper. The victim suffered abrasions and arm injuries.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing against the signal at an intersection on 68 Street in Brooklyn. The driver, a man with a permit license, was operating a 2018 BMW SUV traveling west. The collision occurred when the vehicle’s left front bumper struck the pedestrian. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor for the driver. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. No other contributing factors or safety equipment were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4533827 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A Yamaha struck a Toyota’s side near 72nd Street. Steel twisted. Blood spilled. The young rider’s leg split open. Dusk fell hard. Inexperience and speed ruled the crash. The road stayed silent. No mercy. Only pain.

A motorcycle and a sedan collided on Shore Road near 72nd Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a Yamaha motorcycle struck the side of a Toyota sedan. The 21-year-old motorcycle rider suffered severe lacerations to his leg but remained conscious. The crash involved five people, including a 7-year-old passenger in the sedan. The police report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The motorcycle rider was wearing a helmet. The impact left steel bent and blood on the road. No pedestrians were involved. The data shows systemic danger when speed and inexperience meet on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4532188 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A Lexus SUV struck a 22-year-old man on Shore Road. The right front bumper hit his head. Blood spilled. He stayed conscious. The driver was distracted. The SUV rolled on, unmarked. The man did not.

A 22-year-old pedestrian suffered a head injury and severe bleeding after a Lexus SUV hit him with its right front bumper near 71st Street on Shore Road in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'The driver was distracted.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The pedestrian remained conscious despite the impact and heavy bleeding. The SUV showed no damage. No other injuries were reported. The data does not mention any helmet or signal use as a factor. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose focus, leaving vulnerable road users to bear the brunt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4533791 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-05-25