The Blood Doesn’t Lie: Dyker Heights Demands Safer Streets Now

Oct 26 - A 38-year-old woman on an unlicensed e-scooter suffered knee and lower leg injuries in Brooklyn. The crash happened on 65 Street near 9 Avenue. She was not ejected but experienced shock and minor bleeding. The scooter’s right side was damaged.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old female driver on an unlicensed e-scooter was injured in a crash on 65 Street in Brooklyn. She sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, with minor bleeding and shock noted. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. The e-scooter was traveling east and impacted at the right front quarter panel, damaging the right rear quarter panel. The driver was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. No other vehicles or persons were reported injured or involved. The crash highlights the dangers faced by vulnerable road users operating motorized devices without proper licensing.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673984 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 25 - A 13-year-old boy was struck by a southbound sedan on Fort Hamilton Parkway. The impact hit the vehicle’s right front bumper. The boy suffered abrasions and injuries to his entire body. He was conscious after the crash, crossing outside a crosswalk.

According to the police report, a 13-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being hit by a 2013 Honda sedan traveling south on Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn. The collision occurred when the pedestrian was crossing outside a crosswalk or signal. The vehicle struck the pedestrian with its right front bumper, causing abrasions and injuries to the entire body. The pedestrian was conscious following the crash. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian and no contributing factors for the driver. There is no mention of driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673767 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 25 - The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program died on October 26, 2023. No new law replaced it. Repeat speeders now face only $50 fines. City leaders showed no urgency. State bills to curb reckless driving have stalled. Vulnerable road users remain exposed.

The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP) expired on October 26, 2023. No replacement policy was enacted. The program, which targeted drivers with 15 or more speed camera violations in a year, was criticized for weak enforcement: only 885 took the mandated safety course, and just 12 vehicles were seized. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, District 31, was mentioned in coverage, but city officials, including Mayor Adams and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, showed little urgency. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi said, "We need sharper tools." State Senator Andrew Gounardes has proposed new bills, including mandatory speed governors for repeat offenders. With DVAP gone, repeat speeders face only minor fines, leaving dangerous drivers unchecked. The city and state have failed to act, leaving vulnerable road users at risk.

• A 'Dangerous' Sunset: What's Next for Reining In Reckless Drivers?, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-10-25

Oct 25 - The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program died. No new law stands in its place. City Hall drags its feet. Reckless drivers keep rolling. State efforts stall. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain exposed. The streets stay dangerous. The clock runs out. Nothing changes.

The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP) expired on October 25, 2023, with no replacement from the City Council or Mayor Adams. The bill targeted drivers with 15 camera-issued speeding tickets in a year, but few took the mandated safety course and almost no vehicles were seized. The matter summary: 'The program launched with a simple idea of getting reckless drivers' vehicles off our streets, so it's incredibly frustrating and disappointing that we're in this situation,' said Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Mayor Adams showed little urgency. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi said, 'We will look to the advocacy world for support to go to the state and get better restrictions and better enforcement tools.' State Sen. Andrew Gounardes is pushing for speed governors and tougher laws, but state efforts have failed. The city’s inaction leaves vulnerable road users at risk. No effective tools remain.

• A ‘Dangerous’ Sunset: What’s Next for Reining In Reckless Drivers?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-25

Oct 23 - Red Hook wants a direct bus to Manhattan. The MTA says no. Residents wait. Cars clog the tunnel. Advocates demand space for buses, not excuses. The city’s working class and disabled riders are left stranded. The fight for fair transit continues.

On October 23, 2023, Red Hook residents and advocates renewed calls for a direct bus route to Manhattan. The Red Hook Civic Association sent a letter urging the MTA to create a regular-fare bus through the Hugh Carey Tunnel. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes backed the push, saying, "The people of Red Hook really deserve this." The MTA rejected the idea, citing congestion in the tunnel and Lower Manhattan. Joana Flores, MTA spokesperson, said it is more efficient for riders to transfer to the subway. Critics, including Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance, countered, "Bad traffic is not an excuse for not improving bus service, it’s an impetus for decongesting the street." Past proposals to extend the M22 or restore the B71 with a Manhattan extension were dismissed over cost and logistics. Advocates argue that buses move more people than cars and that congestion pricing should clear the way for better transit. The proposal remains stalled, leaving vulnerable riders waiting.

• Red Hook Pushes for Direct Bus to Manhattan; MTA Says (Wait for It) There’s Too Much ‘Congestion’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-23

Oct 14 - A 34-year-old man was struck by a BMW sedan in Brooklyn. The driver, distracted and inattentive, hit the pedestrian who was not in the roadway. The man suffered bruises and an elbow injury but remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old male pedestrian was injured in Brooklyn after being struck by a 2022 BMW sedan traveling southbound. The driver was going straight ahead but failed to maintain attention, contributing to the collision. The pedestrian was not in the roadway at the time of impact and suffered contusions and an injury to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The police report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4671776 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 13 - Mayor Adams left Ashland Place unfinished. Cyclists lost a safe route. Advocates, officials, and residents rallied. They blamed City Hall for caving to a developer. The most dangerous block remains untouched. Eighty-eight crashes scar the street. Safety took a back seat.

On October 13, 2023, local officials and advocates criticized Mayor Adams for halting the Ashland Place redesign. The project, led by the Department of Transportation, aimed to create a protected bike lane from the Manhattan Bridge to Barclays Center. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said, "New York City is regressing on meeting its Vision Zero goals ... and stalled street safety improvements, like those slated for Ashland Place, are a part of the reason why." State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Council Member Crystal Hudson joined the outcry, with Hudson lamenting the incomplete corridor for cyclists. The DOT confirmed the southernmost block would not be converted, following objections from developer Two Trees Management. Advocates cited 88 crashes and multiple injuries in two years, with the most dangerous block excluded from improvements. Residents and advocates rallied, accusing the mayor of prioritizing business over public safety. City Hall deflected, blaming e-bikes for rising cyclist deaths.

• Pols, Advocates Slam Mayor Adams for Unfinished Ashland Place, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-13

Oct 8 - A BMW SUV struck a 19-year-old riding an Arrow e-bike on 73rd Street near 13th Avenue. The teen was thrown, crushed, and left unconscious. The SUV’s front end bore the mark. The street fell silent around broken bones and twisted metal.

A 19-year-old riding an Arrow e-bike was hit by a BMW SUV on 73rd Street near 13th Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the teen was thrown from his bike, crushed, and found unconscious with injuries across his entire body. The SUV’s center front end showed damage from the impact. The report lists the bicyclist as helmetless and ejected. No specific driver errors are named in the data. The crash left the street marked by silence and injury, with the vulnerable road user bearing the full force of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4668780 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 4 - A 24-year-old male e-scooter driver was injured in a collision with an SUV on 73 Street near 13 Avenue. The SUV struck the scooter’s right rear quarter panel. The rider suffered abrasions and leg injuries but was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male operating an e-scooter was injured when a 2007 Honda SUV traveling north on 73 Street collided with him. The SUV impacted the scooter’s right rear quarter panel with its right front bumper. The e-scooter driver sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists contributing factors as "Other Vehicular" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way," indicating driver error by the SUV operator. The e-scooter rider was conscious and not ejected but was not using any safety equipment. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4667891 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 20 - A sedan traveling south struck a parked SUV on 85 Street in Brooklyn. The sedan’s left side hit the SUV’s right rear bumper. The female driver suffered facial injuries and shock. Driver distraction was a contributing factor.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old female driver in a 2014 sedan was traveling south on 85 Street when she collided with a parked 2022 SUV. The point of impact was the sedan’s left side doors and the SUV’s right rear bumper. The driver was injured, sustaining facial injuries and experiencing shock. She was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted. The parked SUV was unoccupied at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4664035 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 19 - A repeat offender killed Xia Ying Chen, 66, in Bath Beach. Senator Gounardes called for tougher laws and real consequences for reckless drivers. He slammed weak enforcement. Streets remain deadly. Calls for redesign and accountability echo. The system failed again.

On September 19, 2023, after a deadly crash in Bath Beach, State Senator Andrew Gounardes demanded action. The driver, Faheem Shabazz, had a record of speeding violations. Gounardes, a safe streets advocate, said, 'That's really what this conversation should be about—how are we holding people accountable when they have violations to their record and zero consequences for it.' He supports lowering speed limits and tougher penalties but stressed that enforcement is lacking. Senator Iwen Chu urged the NYC DOT to study the area for safety upgrades, stating, 'We must recognize that our streets need to be designed with safety in mind.' The DOT is reviewing the intersection. The call is clear: repeat offenders face little consequence, and street design still puts pedestrians at risk.

• ‘A real damn shame’: After grandmother killed in Bath Beach crash, pol says reckless drivers must be held accountable, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-09-19

Sep 18 - DOT stripped protected bike lanes from Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue. Cyclists now dodge cars and illegal parking. Elected officials and advocates demand action. DOT cites traffic, but danger grows. Pedestrians lose safe crossings. The agency stays silent. Streets stay deadly.

On September 18, 2023, a coalition of elected officials and advocates called out the Department of Transportation for removing protected bike lanes on Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue during construction. The matter, described as 'DOT continues to ignore dangers it created on Brooklyn’s Fourth Ave,' centers on DOT’s decision to replace bike lanes with a second car lane, violating a city law that requires temporary bike lanes during such work. Council Members Lincoln Restler, Alexa Aviles, Shahana Hanif, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and groups like Bike New York and Transportation Alternatives sent a letter demanding the bike lane’s return and physical barriers to stop illegal parking on pedestrian islands. The letter urges DOT to 'ensure curb lanes be preserved for safe cyclist passage' and to 'deploy quick-build physical elements' for pedestrian safety. DOT has not responded. Cyclists and pedestrians remain at risk.

• DOT Continues to Ignore Dangers it Created on Brooklyn’s Fourth Ave, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-18

Sep 18 - Council waits. DOT stalls. The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program limps toward expiration. Thousands of reckless drivers dodge consequences. Few take the safety course. Council members call for answers, action, and stronger laws. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain exposed.

On September 18, 2023, the City Council reviewed the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP), which is set to expire on October 26. The Transportation Committee, led by Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, pressed the Department of Transportation (DOT) for a final report on the program’s effectiveness. The bill required drivers with 15 speed-camera or five red-light tickets in a year to take a safety course or risk vehicle seizure. Council Member Shahana Hanif voiced disappointment, noting, 'We need to not only reauthorize this program, but strengthen it.' Despite over 34,000 drivers meeting the threshold in the last year, only about 1,200 took the course in three years. DOT has not explained the reporting delay or provided outcome data. The lack of enforcement leaves dangerous drivers on the road and vulnerable road users at risk.

• Council Needs Info from DOT So it Can Rescue (or Ignore) Fading ‘Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-18

Sep 7 - MTA promised faster R trains in Brooklyn. Riders waited up to 16 minutes. Senator Gounardes called out the agency for misleading the public. Track work on another line delayed improvements. Riders left stranded. Trust broken. Transparency demanded.

On September 7, 2023, the MTA faced backlash for failing to deliver on its pledge of eight-minute weekday headways for the R train in southern Brooklyn. The issue, reported by State Senator Andrew Gounardes, surfaced after riders complained of waits as long as 16 minutes. The MTA had announced service upgrades, but later changed its press release, citing F line track work as the cause for delay—work unrelated to the R train. Gounardes, who fought for MTA funding in Albany, accused the agency of misrepresenting the improvements, saying, 'I’m shocked and frustrated that the MTA would misrepresent these service upgrades to the riding public.' Transit advocates like Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance echoed calls for honesty: 'Public transit shouldn’t be a rollercoaster of mismatched expectations.' The incident has strained relations between the MTA and its legislative supporters, highlighting the need for transparency and reliability in transit service.

• MTA ‘Bungles’ Increased R Train Service Promise, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-07

Sep 1 - A Ford SUV struck a Toyota sedan from behind on 74th Street in Brooklyn. Both vehicles were stopped in traffic. The sedan’s rear was hit hard. A 43-year-old female passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Driver distraction was cited.

According to the police report, a 2006 Ford SUV traveling west rear-ended a 2017 Toyota sedan also stopped in traffic on 74th Street, Brooklyn. The impact occurred at the left front bumper of the SUV and the right rear bumper of the sedan. A 43-year-old female occupant in the sedan, seated in the middle rear seat and restrained by a lap belt, sustained neck injuries described as whiplash. The report lists driver inattention and distraction, including eating or drinking, as contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed and male. The injured passenger was conscious and not ejected. The collision caused center front end damage to the SUV and rear bumper damage to the sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658996 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 29 - A sedan backing into a parked position struck a stopped bicyclist on 63 Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist, a 41-year-old woman, suffered knee and lower leg bruises. The driver failed to back safely and was inattentive, causing the collision.

According to the police report, a 2017 Hyundai sedan was entering a parked position on 63 Street in Brooklyn when it backed unsafely into a stopped bicyclist traveling north. The bicyclist, a 41-year-old woman, was injured with contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists the driver’s errors as "Backing Unsafely" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The sedan showed no damage, and the bicyclist was not ejected but suffered injury severity level 3. The cyclist’s safety equipment status is unknown. The crash highlights the danger of inattentive backing maneuvers in shared traffic spaces.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658055 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 28 - A 39-year-old woman on an e-scooter was struck on her left front quarter panel by a sedan traveling east on Bay Ridge Parkway. She suffered injuries to her elbow and lower arm, with minor bleeding and shock. The sedan hit the scooter’s left side doors.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Bay Ridge Parkway in Brooklyn involving an e-scooter and a sedan, both traveling east. The e-scooter driver, a 39-year-old woman, was injured with wounds to her elbow and lower arm, experiencing minor bleeding and shock. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the scooter and the right front bumper of the sedan. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor. The e-scooter driver was not ejected and was not using any safety equipment. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4657691 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 22 - An unlicensed e-scooter driver struck a parked SUV in Brooklyn. The rider hit the vehicle’s left rear quarter panel, suffering facial contusions. The scooter’s front end was damaged. The driver remained conscious and was not ejected from the vehicle.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old male e-scooter driver collided with a parked station wagon/SUV on 13 Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-scooter was traveling south and attempting to pass when it struck the left rear quarter panel of the parked vehicle. The driver, who was unlicensed, sustained facial contusions and bruising but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but highlights the driver’s unlicensed status and the pre-crash action of passing. The SUV was stationary at the time of impact. No helmet or signaling factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656305 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 18 - A speeding driver ran a red light on Atlantic Avenue, killing an 18-year-old passenger and injuring three others. The crash happened outside Trader Joe’s in Cobble Hill. Council Member Lincoln Restler called for urgent safety fixes. Atlantic Avenue remains deadly. No changes yet.

"We can’t fix Atlantic Ave fast enough, and we need a hell of a lot more accountability for drivers who speed and run red lights." -- Andrew Gounardes

On August 18, 2023, a speeding driver in a Mercedes ran a red light at Atlantic Avenue and Court Street, killing an 18-year-old woman and injuring three others. This stretch of Atlantic Avenue is notorious for deadly crashes. Council Member Lincoln Restler responded, stating, “Our community is unified in demanding immediate changes to dramatically slow down traffic, improve safety at intersections, and install new mid block crossings.” The incident marks the second fatal crash on this corridor in 2023. Despite calls from Restler and other local officials for mid-block crossings and traffic calming after previous deaths, the city has not acted. The bill or action is a public statement, not legislation, but it highlights urgent demands for redesign and enforcement to protect vulnerable road users. No safety improvements have been implemented yet.

• Speeding Driver Runs Red Light and Kills 18-Year-Old on Deadly Atlantic Avenue Speedway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-18

Aug 18 - A reckless driver ran a red light on Atlantic Avenue. He killed an 18-year-old passenger and injured four others. Council Member Lincoln Restler called the strip deadly. He demanded urgent safety fixes. Another life lost. The street remains a threat.

On August 18, 2023, Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) responded to a fatal crash at Atlantic Avenue and Court Street. An 18-year-old woman died after a driver sped through a red light and struck another car. Restler stated, 'This is one of the most dangerous strips in Brooklyn & we need safety improvements on Atlantic Ave NOW.' He called for immediate action: slower traffic, mid-block crossings, and better protections for all. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes echoed the demand for accountability and urgent fixes. No council bill is attached, but Restler’s public statement highlights the deadly pattern on Atlantic Avenue and the urgent need for systemic change to protect vulnerable road users.

• Cops cuff driver after Brooklyn crash kills 18-year-old woman: NYPD, amny.com, Published 2023-08-18