Blood on Neptune Avenue: How Many More Must Die Before Leaders Act?

Apr 25 - An SUV turning left on Neptune Avenue slammed into a southbound car. Three inside the SUV suffered neck and abdominal injuries. Police cite driver distraction. The crash left pain and chaos in Brooklyn’s 47th council district.

According to the police report, a 2019 Nissan SUV making a left turn on Neptune Avenue collided with a southbound vehicle. The SUV’s left front bumper struck the other car. Three people in the SUV—a 49-year-old man and two women, ages 49 and 34—were injured. The driver suffered abdominal and pelvic pain; all three had neck injuries described as whiplash. Each was conscious and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. No contributing factors are attributed to the passengers. The crash highlights the danger of driver distraction during turning movements in Brooklyn’s 47th council district.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721415 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 24 - Assembly bill A 9877 seeks to kill congestion pricing. Sponsors want more MTA board seats and a forensic audit. No mention of safety for people on foot or bike. The car threat grows unchecked.

Assembly bill A 9877 was introduced on April 24, 2024. It sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill aims to repeal congestion pricing, add a new MTA board seat for each city borough, and force a forensic audit of the MTA. The matter title reads: 'Relates to repealing congestion pricing (Part A); commissioning an independent audit of the metropolitan transportation authority (Part B); and conducting an environmental impact study (Part C).' Assembly Members Michael Tannousis (primary), Mike Reilly, Samuel Pirozzolo, Michael Novakhov, Lester Chang, and Alec Brook-Krasny sponsor the bill. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided. The bill ignores the deadly risk cars pose to New Yorkers outside vehicles.

• File A 9877, Open States, Published 2024-04-24

Apr 18 - Council moves to hike fines for illegal ATVs and dirt bikes. First offense: $375–$750. Repeat: $750–$1,500. Law aims at reckless riders who menace city streets and endanger lives.

Bill Int 0856-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety. Introduced April 18, 2024, it seeks to amend city code to raise fines for unlawful ATV and dirt bike use. The bill states: 'The first offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 375 dollars and up to 750 dollars. Any subsequent offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 750 dollars and up to 1500 dollars.' Council Member Carmen N. De La Rosa leads as primary sponsor, joined by Salamanca Jr., Gennaro, Brannan, Louis, Ung, Restler, and Farías. The bill was referred to committee the same day. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0856-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 18 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 18 - Council bill orders DOT to factor traffic enforcement agents into city safety plans. The move targets deadly streets. Sponsors demand action, not words. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait for safer crossings.

Int 0842-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced April 18, 2024, the bill amends city law to require the Department of Transportation to consider where traffic enforcement agents are placed when drafting the interagency roadway safety plan. The bill summary states: 'require DOT to specifically consider placement of traffic enforcement agents in certain areas.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Members Brannan (primary), Louis, Restler, and the Queens Borough President sponsor the measure. The bill responds to Local Law 12 of 2011, which already mandates a five-year safety plan. Now, the council demands DOT put enforcement on the map, aiming to cut injuries and deaths.

• File Int 0842-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 11 - A city bus swung left on Mermaid Avenue. Metal met flesh at the intersection. A 70-year-old woman fell silent, her leg crushed, her body still. The report said: unconscious. The complaint read: amputation.

According to the police report, a bus making a left turn at the corner of Mermaid Avenue and Stillwell Avenue struck a 70-year-old woman. The narrative states, 'A 70-year-old woman stepped into the street against the light. A bus turned left. Metal struck flesh. She fell, silent. Her leg was crushed. The report said: unconscious. The complaint read: amputation.' The point of impact was the left front bumper of the bus. The pedestrian was at the intersection and sustained severe injuries to her lower leg, resulting in amputation and unconsciousness. The police report lists the pedestrian's action as 'crossing against signal' but does not cite any specific driver error or contributing factor beyond 'unspecified.' The focus remains on the bus turning left and the devastating outcome for the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716511 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 27 - 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 2024-03-27

Mar 22 - A sedan driver suffered facial injuries after a crash caused by driver inattention. The collision occurred on West 2 Street, leaving the 56-year-old woman bruised but conscious. Police cite distraction as the primary factor in the impact.

According to the police report, the crash happened at 7:40 PM on West 2 Street. The driver, a 56-year-old woman, was injured with contusions and bruises to her face but remained conscious and was not ejected from the vehicle. She was wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the collision. The vehicle involved was a 2008 Ford sedan traveling south, which sustained damage to the center front end. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report, emphasizing the role of driver distraction in causing the crash and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4711971 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 20 - 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 2024-03-20

Mar 12 - A taxi struck the rear of a stopped sedan on Neptune Avenue, injuring the sedan driver. The impact caused abdominal and pelvic injuries, leaving the driver in shock. Police cite following too closely and other vehicular errors as contributing factors.

According to the police report, at 13:15 on Neptune Avenue, a taxi traveling east rear-ended a sedan that was stopped in traffic. The sedan driver, a 26-year-old man, was injured with abdominal and pelvic trauma and experienced shock. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The taxi driver was also male and licensed in New York. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors to the collision. The sedan sustained damage to its center back end, while the taxi was damaged at its center front end. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash highlights driver errors related to maintaining safe distance and vehicle control in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709096 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 11 - A 28-year-old man suffered a fractured arm after a BMW sedan struck him while he emerged from behind a parked vehicle at a Brooklyn intersection. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, hitting the pedestrian with the right front bumper.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Shore Parkway in Brooklyn around 2:15 p.m. A 28-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a BMW sedan traveling westbound struck him at an intersection. The pedestrian was emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle when the collision happened. The point of impact was the sedan’s right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained a fracture and dislocation to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating the driver failed to maintain proper attention. There are no contributing factors listed for the pedestrian. This crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in urban settings, especially where pedestrians enter traffic from behind parked vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708829 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 7 - Council aims to ban moving billboards. These rolling ads distract drivers. The bill locks in an existing rule. Streets need fewer distractions. Safety for walkers and riders comes first.

Bill Int 0541-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced March 7, 2024, by Council Members Bottcher (primary), Brannan, Brewer, and Restler, it seeks to ban moving billboards. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to banning moving billboards.' These billboards are already illegal under city rules. The bill would codify 34 RCNY 4-12(j), making the ban law. Bottcher and co-sponsors want to cut visual clutter and driver distraction. The bill was referred to committee on March 7, 2024.

• File Int 0541-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Mar 7 - Council bill forces DOT to act fast. Traffic study calls get answers in 60 days. No more endless waits. Streets stay dangerous while requests stall. Delay kills. Action saves.

Int 0542-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, laid over since March 7, 2024. The bill reads: 'requiring that traffic study determinations be issued no later than 60 days from the date a traffic control device is requested by a city council member or community board.' Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Brooks-Powers, Vernikov, and Morano. The bill cracks the whip on DOT, ending open-ended delays. Fast answers mean less time waiting for life-saving signals and signs. The city’s slow grind leaves people at risk. This bill demands speed.

• File Int 0542-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Mar 7 - Council aims to keep sightseeing buses out of bus lanes during rush. The bill targets morning and evening peaks. Streets clear for city buses, not tourists. Pedestrians and cyclists get a break from double-deckers.

Bill Int 0543-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on March 7, 2024. The measure, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to restricting the use of bus lanes by sight-seeing buses,' blocks sightseeing buses from bus lanes on weekdays, 7–10 a.m. and 4–7 p.m. Sponsors Lincoln Restler (District 33, primary) and Justin L. Brannan (District 47, co-sponsor) push to keep bus lanes clear for transit. No sightseeing bus stops allowed in bus lanes during these hours. The bill responds to congestion and crowding, giving vulnerable road users more space and fewer blind spots.

• File Int 0543-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Mar 7 - Council wants every e-bike and scooter tagged and tracked. Plates on wheels. Riders face new rules. Lawmakers say it’s about order. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait.

Int 0606-2024 was introduced on March 7, 2024, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring that every bicycle with electric assist, electric scooter and other legal motorized vehicle be licensed and registered," would force all e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles not covered by DMV rules to register with DOT and display visible plates. Council Member Inna Vernikov is the primary sponsor, joined by 26 co-sponsors including Holden, Farías, Riley, and others. The bill was laid over in committee and has not advanced. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• File Int 0606-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Mar 3 - SUV struck a cyclist from behind on Stillwell Avenue. Driver was distracted. Cyclist suffered chest abrasions. Impact was sudden. Streets remain perilous for those outside a car.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV traveling south on Stillwell Avenue rear-ended a bicyclist who was also heading south. The SUV's left rear bumper hit the bike's center front end. The 42-year-old cyclist suffered chest abrasions and remained conscious at the scene. Police list "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the cause of the crash. The cyclist was not ejected and played no role in causing the collision. This crash shows the danger distracted drivers pose to people on bikes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4706561 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 28 - Council moves to outlaw fake plates. Fraud hides reckless drivers. Bill targets sellers, sets fines. Streets need truth. Law aims to strip shields from danger.

Bill Int 0178-2024 sits with the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the sale or distribution of fraudulent license plates," makes it illegal to sell or distribute fake or temporary plates, with civil penalties for violators. Council Member Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Schulman, Ung, Marte, Hudson, Brewer, Brannan, and Avilés. The bill was referred to committee the same day. Fraudulent plates let reckless drivers vanish. This measure aims to close that escape, exposing those who endanger lives.

• File Int 0178-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council urges Albany to pass SAFE Streets Act. Lower speed limits. Rights for crash victims. Safe passing for cyclists. Complete streets. City demands action as deaths rise. Streets remain deadly. Lawmakers must act.

Resolution 0090-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it calls on the state to pass S.2422 ('Sammy’s Law') and A.1901, part of the SAFE Streets Act. The matter title: 'Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.2422... allowing New York city to establish a lower speed limit, and A.1901, enacting a crash victims bill of rights.' Council Member Shahana K. Hanif leads, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Nurse, and others. The resolution demands lower speed limits, crash victim rights, safe passing for cyclists, and complete street design. It cites rising traffic deaths and the failure of current measures. The Council wants Albany to give the city real power to protect people on its streets.

• File Res 0090-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council passed a law forcing taxis and for-hire cars to post bold warnings on doors. The signs tell passengers: look for cyclists before you open up. A small step. The city hands out the decals. No cost to drivers.

Int 0193-2024 became law on May 31, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' was sponsored by Lincoln Restler and co-sponsored by over twenty council members, including Gutiérrez, Hudson, and Rivera. The law mandates clear warning decals on all rear passenger doors of taxis and for-hire vehicles. The Taxi and Limousine Commission will provide the signs at no cost. The measure aims to cut down on 'dooring'—a threat to cyclists citywide. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it became law.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 19 - A parked sedan in Brooklyn lurched forward. It struck a young man on foot and a woman in the front seat. Both suffered severe leg injuries. Driver errors remain unknown. The street stayed silent. The pain did not.

According to the police report, a 2020 Lexus sedan, parked near 3052 West 21 Street in Brooklyn, struck a 25-year-old male pedestrian and a 25-year-old female front-seat passenger. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with shock and pain. The passenger sustained fractures and dislocations to her lower limbs. The sedan's center front end was the point of impact. The police report lists all contributing factors as unspecified and does not cite driver errors such as failure to yield or reckless driving. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report. The incident shows the risk posed by vehicles, even when parked, with responsibility left unclear.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703671 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19