Gravesend Bleeds: Four Dead, Hundreds Hurt, and Still No Safe Streets

Sep 26 - 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

Sep 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

Sep 23 - Two SUVs collided on Belt Parkway. The rear vehicle struck the front vehicle’s center back end. A 47-year-old male passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash. Driver distraction caused the crash, highlighting dangers of inattention behind the wheel.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Belt Parkway at 13:49 involving two station wagons/SUVs traveling westbound. The rear vehicle impacted the center back end of the lead vehicle, damaging the right rear bumper of the striking SUV and the center front end of the struck SUV. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. A 47-year-old male occupant in the rear of one SUV was injured, sustaining head injuries and whiplash, and was wearing a lap belt. No ejection occurred. The drivers were both going straight ahead prior to the collision. The data highlights driver error—specifically distraction—as the cause, with no contributing victim behaviors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759208 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 13 - Motorbike struck cyclist head-on during improper turn on Bay 43 Street. Passenger suffered leg abrasions. Cyclist unharmed. Driver unlicensed. System failed to protect vulnerable road users.

According to the police report, a motorbike with two occupants collided head-on with a cyclist at 15:07 on Bay 43 Street near Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn. The unlicensed motorbike driver was making a right turn when the crash occurred. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor, highlighting driver error. The front passenger, a 16-year-old male wearing a helmet, suffered abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was not ejected and remained conscious. The cyclist was not injured. The motorbike sustained front-end damage; the bike was undamaged. No contributing factors were attributed to the cyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755671 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 5 - An SUV traveling east struck two bicyclists heading north on Avenue S. Both riders, a 37-year-old man and a 7-year-old boy, suffered injuries and shock. The SUV showed no damage despite impact to its right front bumper.

According to the police report, at 7:50 a.m., a 2012 Toyota SUV was traveling east on Avenue S when it collided with a bike carrying two males, ages 37 and 7, traveling north. The SUV's point of impact was its right front bumper, while the bike was struck on the left side doors. Both bicyclists were injured, experiencing shock and complaints of pain or nausea, with injuries to the entire body and lower leg areas. Both wore helmets. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors, but the collision occurred with both vehicles proceeding straight ahead. The SUV driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No vehicle damage was reported on either vehicle despite the impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753439 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 28 - A distracted driver collided with a parked SUV on Bay Parkway in Brooklyn. The sedan’s driver, a 57-year-old woman, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The impact damaged the sedan’s left front bumper and the SUV’s center front end.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 9:00 AM on Bay Parkway in Brooklyn. The driver of a 2004 Lexus sedan, a 57-year-old woman, was injured when she struck a parked 2007 Mazda SUV. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The sedan’s left front bumper and the SUV’s center front end were damaged. The injured driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report does not indicate any contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior, focusing solely on the driver’s distraction as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751501 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 23 - A 79-year-old man suffered head injuries after an SUV driver failed to yield while making a right turn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the distracted driver struck him at a Brooklyn intersection, causing serious bruising and contusions.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:10 AM on Dahill Road near Avenue P in Brooklyn. A 79-year-old male pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when a 2015 SUV, driven by a licensed male driver traveling south and making a right turn, struck him. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained head injuries classified as severity level 3, including contusions and bruises. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating the impact was likely at low speed. The driver’s failure to yield and distraction directly contributed to the collision, highlighting systemic dangers at intersections where turning vehicles must yield to pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750051 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 22 - Box truck plows into e-scooter on Avenue T. Rider, helmeted, is ejected and suffers a fractured, dislocated head injury. Police cite truck driver for failing to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling south on Avenue T in Brooklyn struck a westbound e-scooter at 16:40. The truck's center front end hit the e-scooter's right side doors. The 24-year-old male e-scooter rider, wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained a severe head injury with fracture and dislocation. Police cited the box truck driver for failure to yield right-of-way and traffic control disregarded. No other contributing factors were listed for the rider or driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750047 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 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

Aug 1 - SUV struck 18-year-old bicyclist on Benson Avenue. Rider suffered hip and leg abrasions. Police cite failure to yield and traffic control disregard. Bicyclist stayed conscious. System failed to protect.

According to the police report, an 18-year-old male bicyclist was hit by a 2020 Toyota SUV on Benson Avenue in Brooklyn at 21:06. The bicyclist suffered abrasions to his hip and upper leg but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, highlighting driver error. The bicyclist was riding westbound and was not using any safety equipment. No fault is attributed to the bicyclist. The crash underscores the danger when drivers disregard traffic rules.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745507 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 11 - A 70-year-old man driving a sedan suffered a head injury after an SUV struck the rear of his vehicle on Shore Parkway in Brooklyn. The impact damaged the sedan’s center back end and the SUV’s front center, leaving the driver conscious but injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:40 on Shore Parkway in Brooklyn. A 70-year-old male sedan driver, wearing a lap belt, was injured with a head injury and remained conscious after the collision. The SUV, traveling east and going straight ahead, struck the sedan from behind, impacting the sedan's center back end and damaging the SUV's front center. The sedan was stopped in traffic at the time of impact. The report lists no specific contributing factors for the crash, but the collision pattern indicates a failure to maintain safe distance or attention by the SUV driver. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed and operating vehicles registered in New York.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739689 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 7 - Two sedans collided on Bay Parkway in Brooklyn. The 58-year-old male driver suffered back contusions but was conscious and restrained. Police cited driver inattention as the cause. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:49 on Bay Parkway in Brooklyn involving two sedans. The 58-year-old male driver of one vehicle was injured with back contusions but remained conscious and was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor leading to the collision. One sedan had damage to its center front end, while the other sustained damage to its right front bumper. The driver of the injured vehicle was licensed and operating a 2019 Nissan sedan, which was initially parked before the crash. The other vehicle, a 2015 Toyota sedan, was traveling west at the time. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738733 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 29 - A sedan driver traveling south on Avenue S in Brooklyn suffered a hip and upper leg injury after disregarding traffic control. The vehicle's right front quarter panel was damaged. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:08 on Avenue S near Mc Donald Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver, a 40-year-old male, was operating a 2014 Toyota sedan traveling straight ahead southbound when the collision occurred. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The vehicle sustained damage to its right front quarter panel. The driver was injured with contusions and bruises to the hip and upper leg but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness at the time of the crash. No other vehicles or pedestrians were reported injured. The report explicitly identifies the driver's failure to obey traffic control as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to victim behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736644 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 14 - Two SUVs crashed on Bay Parkway as one made an improper left turn. A 5-year-old passenger suffered neck injuries and shock. The collision caused front-end damage to both vehicles, highlighting driver errors in yielding and turning.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:38 on Bay Parkway involving two SUVs. One driver, a licensed female operating a 2020 Lexus SUV traveling west, was making a left turn when she collided with a southbound 2010 Mazda SUV driven by a licensed male going straight ahead. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the Lexus and the left front bumper of the Mazda. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. A 5-year-old male occupant in the Mazda, seated as the right rear passenger and secured with a lap belt and harness, sustained neck injuries and was in shock. The crash underscores critical driver errors in yielding and improper turning maneuvers without any indication of victim fault.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732824 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 12 - A 17-year-old female driver suffered elbow and arm abrasions after her sedan collided with the left rear bumper of a parked garbage truck. The crash occurred on Bay Parkway, Brooklyn, at 8:58 p.m. Driver inexperience was cited as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, the crash happened at 20:58 on Bay Parkway in Brooklyn. A 17-year-old female driver operating a 2023 Kia sedan traveling south struck the left rear bumper of a parked 2023 garbage truck. The garbage truck was stationary before impact. The sedan's right front bumper sustained damage. The driver was conscious and sustained abrasions to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, with an injury severity rated at 3. Safety equipment including an airbag and lap belt deployed. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor to the collision. No other contributing factors were specified. The report does not attribute any fault or contributing behavior to the injured occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732600 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

May 30 - A sedan traveling south collided with an eastbound bicyclist on Bath Avenue in Brooklyn. The 63-year-old female cyclist suffered head contusions and shock. Police cited the sedan driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the cause of the crash.

According to the police report, a 2013 Toyota sedan driven by a licensed male driver was traveling south on Bath Avenue at 16:28 when it struck a 63-year-old female bicyclist traveling east. The bicyclist, who was not wearing a helmet, sustained head injuries including contusions and was reported in shock. The point of impact was the sedan’s right front bumper and the bike’s center front end. The police report explicitly lists the contributing factor as the sedan driver’s failure to yield right-of-way. No other contributing factors were specified. The bicyclist was not ejected from her vehicle. This crash highlights the danger posed by driver errors in yielding to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729423 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 22 - Two mopeds collided on Bay Parkway in Brooklyn. The rear moped, stopped in traffic, was struck from behind by another moped traveling straight. Both drivers were ejected and suffered facial abrasions. Driver inattention caused the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Bay Parkway in Brooklyn at 9:29 PM. A 2023 moped traveling south struck the center back end of a 2021 moped that was stopped in traffic. The impact ejected both the 34-year-old male driver and the 24-year-old male passenger of the front moped. Both suffered facial abrasions and were conscious after the crash. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. Neither occupant wore safety equipment. The rear moped driver’s failure to maintain attention led directly to the collision. The injuries and ejections highlight the dangers of distracted driving among vulnerable road users on mopeds.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4730369 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 20 - A tire failure on a westbound SUV triggered a chain collision on Belt Parkway. Multiple vehicles collided side and rear, injuring the SUV driver with bruises over her body. The crash exposed dangers of mechanical failures on busy highways.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:40 on Belt Parkway involving multiple westbound vehicles, including SUVs, sedans, and taxis. The primary contributing factor was a "Tire Failure/Inadequate" on a 2010 Cadillac SUV driven by a 26-year-old female. The impact points included the right front quarter panel of the SUV and left side doors of a taxi, with damage extending to rear bumpers and quarter panels of other vehicles. The SUV driver, wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained contusions and bruises across her entire body but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists no other driver errors or victim behaviors contributing to the crash. This incident highlights the systemic danger posed by vehicle mechanical failures, specifically tire integrity, on high-speed urban roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726091 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19