Madison’s corners break bones and take lives

Feb 28 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians win the right to cross anywhere, signals or not. The law strips police of power to ticket walkers. Streets shift. The city must now teach all road users the new rules.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, amends city code to let pedestrians cross streets at any point, even against signals. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed it on October 26, 2024. The bill states: 'crossing against a traffic signal or outside a crosswalk will not be a violation.' Council Member Tiffany Cabán led, joined by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, Restler, Mealy, Louis, and Bottcher. The law bans summonses for jaywalking and orders the Department of Transportation to educate the public on new rights and responsibilities. The mayor returned it unsigned. This law removes a tool long used to target vulnerable New Yorkers.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council eyes bigger NYPD tow pounds. Bill demands enough space to haul away law-breaking cars. Public reports would track towing. Committee shelves action. Streets wait.

Int 0179-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, would require the NYPD to run tow pounds with enough capacity to deter illegal driving. The bill, introduced February 28, 2024, and discussed again on April 28, 2025, reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to police department tow pound capacity.' Council Member Kamillah Hanks led as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Farías, Narcisse, Restler, Hudson, Louis, and Holden. The bill also calls for public reports on towing operations. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users.

• File Int 0179-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council moves to stop repeat bus lane tickets for the same infraction within an hour. Drivers get a break. Streets stay the same. No new shield for people on foot or bike.

Bill Int 0339-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024 by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the issuance of multiple bus lane violation tickets for the same infraction within a one hour period,' aims to ensure drivers do not receive multiple summonses for a single bus lane violation in a short span. Narcisse sponsored the measure. The bill does not address the safety of pedestrians or cyclists. It focuses on ticket fairness, not street danger.

• File Int 0339-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council bill would pay up to $1,000 for tips that help catch hit-and-run drivers who injure or kill. Police and city workers are barred from rewards. The measure targets unsolved crashes that leave victims behind.

Int 0143-2024, now in the Committee on Public Safety, was introduced February 28, 2024. The bill states: 'establishing a reward for individuals who provide information leading to the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of a person who seriously injures or kills another individual in a hit-and-run accident.' Council Member Rita C. Joseph leads as primary sponsor, joined by Brooks-Powers, Narcisse, Vernikov, Louis, Bottcher, Hudson, Gennaro, and Williams. The bill excludes law enforcement and city employees from eligibility. The aim is to mobilize the public to help solve hit-and-run cases, many of which remain unsolved, and bring justice for victims.

• File Int 0143-2024, 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 28 - Council moves to stop repeat bus lane tickets for the same infraction within an hour. Drivers get a break. Streets stay the same. No new shield for people on foot or bike.

Bill Int 0339-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024 by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the issuance of multiple bus lane violation tickets for the same infraction within a one hour period,' aims to ensure drivers do not receive multiple summonses for a single bus lane violation in a short span. Narcisse sponsored the measure. The bill does not address the safety of pedestrians or cyclists. It focuses on ticket fairness, not street danger.

• File Int 0339-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council bill blocks repeat tickets for same bus lane infraction within an hour. Drivers get a break. Streets stay the same. No change for those on foot or bike.

Int 0339-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, the bill would 'prohibit the issuance of multiple bus lane violation tickets for the same infraction within a one hour period.' Narcisse sponsored the measure. The bill aims to stop drivers from getting stacked tickets for a single bus lane offense. There is no evidence this move will help or harm pedestrians, cyclists, or passengers. The danger on streets remains. Enforcement gets softer. Vulnerable road users see no relief.

• File Int 0339-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council bill blocks repeat tickets for same bus lane infraction within an hour. Drivers get a break. Streets stay the same. No change for those on foot or bike.

Int 0339-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, the bill would 'prohibit the issuance of multiple bus lane violation tickets for the same infraction within a one hour period.' Narcisse sponsored the measure. The bill aims to stop drivers from getting stacked tickets for a single bus lane offense. There is no evidence this move will help or harm pedestrians, cyclists, or passengers. The danger on streets remains. Enforcement gets softer. Vulnerable road users see no relief.

• File Int 0339-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council bill orders speed humps on roads beside parks over one acre. DOT can skip spots if safety or rules demand. Law aims to slow cars where families walk, run, and play.

Int 0262-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill reads: “requiring the installation of speed humps on roadways adjacent to any park equal or greater than one acre.” Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by eighteen co-sponsors. The Department of Transportation must install speed humps unless the commissioner finds a risk to safety or a conflict with DOT guidelines. The law would take effect 180 days after passage. The measure targets streets where parks meet traffic, aiming to slow cars and shield people outside vehicles.

• File Int 0262-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council bill would pay up to $1,000 for tips that help catch hit-and-run drivers who injure or kill. Police and city workers are barred from rewards. The measure targets unsolved crashes that leave victims behind.

Int 0143-2024, now in the Committee on Public Safety, was introduced February 28, 2024. The bill states: 'establishing a reward for individuals who provide information leading to the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of a person who seriously injures or kills another individual in a hit-and-run accident.' Council Member Rita C. Joseph leads as primary sponsor, joined by Brooks-Powers, Narcisse, Vernikov, Louis, Bottcher, Hudson, Gennaro, and Williams. The bill excludes law enforcement and city employees from eligibility. The aim is to mobilize the public to help solve hit-and-run cases, many of which remain unsolved, and bring justice for victims.

• File Int 0143-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 6 - A 75-year-old man suffered an eye contusion and bruising after a collision at a Brooklyn intersection. The pedestrian was conscious but injured. The crash involved an unspecified vehicle. Police report lists no driver errors or victim contributing factors.

According to the police report, a 75-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Nostrand Avenue and Avenue S in Brooklyn at 9:42 PM. The pedestrian sustained an eye contusion and bruising but remained conscious. The vehicle involved was unspecified, and the report does not cite any contributing factors such as failure to yield or driver errors. No pedestrian actions were noted as contributing to the crash. The absence of identified driver errors or victim behaviors in the report highlights a systemic danger at this intersection, where a vulnerable road user was hurt despite no clear fault assigned.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700810 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 5 - A sedan turned right on Quentin Road and hit an e-bike going straight. Both teen riders were thrown and hurt. Police cite the sedan driver for following too closely.

According to the police report, a sedan making a right turn on Quentin Road in Brooklyn collided with an e-bike traveling straight. The crash happened at 3:15 PM. Both the 16-year-old e-bike driver and his passenger were ejected and suffered injuries to their knees, lower legs, and feet. Police list 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor, pointing to the sedan driver's failure to keep a safe distance. Neither e-bike occupant wore safety equipment. The report does not cite any contributing factors related to the victims’ actions. The sedan had no passengers besides the driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700804 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 1 - A sedan making a U-turn struck a westbound bicyclist on Avenue S. The cyclist, a 35-year-old woman wearing a helmet, was partially ejected and suffered injuries to her elbow and lower arm. Driver inattention was cited as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, at 8:52 AM on Avenue S, a sedan traveling north made a U-turn and collided with a westbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 35-year-old female wearing a helmet, was partially ejected from her bike and sustained injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The sedan's point of impact was the right front bumper, indicating the collision occurred during the U-turn maneuver. The bicyclist was in shock and complained of pain and nausea. No damage was reported to the vehicles involved. The driver of the sedan was licensed in New York and the bicyclist was traveling straight ahead prior to impact. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction during complex vehicle maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699528 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 19 - A sedan traveling south struck another vehicle from behind on Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn. Two rear-seat passengers, ages 24 and 70, suffered neck injuries. Both remained conscious and were not ejected. The crash caused left rear bumper damage to the sedan.

According to the police report, a 2017 Toyota sedan traveling south on Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn collided with the rear of another vehicle also traveling south at 19:29. The point of impact was the sedan's left rear bumper striking the other vehicle's right front bumper. The sedan's driver was licensed in New York and was going straight ahead. Two male passengers seated in the sedan's rear—aged 24 and 70—sustained neck injuries classified as injury severity 3. Both were conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The crash caused damage to the sedan's left rear bumper. No pedestrian or cyclist involvement was reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4696327 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 21 - Two SUVs crashed head-on at Avenue S and Haring Street. The front passenger in one vehicle suffered a head contusion. Both vehicles hit with front bumpers. Driver distraction caused the collision. Injuries were serious but no ejections occurred.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Avenue S near Haring Street in Brooklyn. The crash occurred at 7:57 p.m. The front passenger in one SUV, a 38-year-old woman, was injured with a head contusion and bruising. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The collision involved the left front bumper of one SUV and the right front bumper of the other. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead before impact. The injured passenger was not ejected from the vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4690015 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 7 - A box truck turned right on Kings Highway. A 70-year-old man crossed with the light. The truck struck him. He fell. Blood spread on the street. The driver failed to yield. The man suffered severe lacerations. The city stood still.

A box truck with Wisconsin plates struck a 70-year-old man at the corner of Kings Highway and East 17th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the truck turned right while the man crossed with the signal. The impact left the pedestrian with severe lacerations to his entire body. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. The man was conscious at the scene. The truck’s right front bumper hit the pedestrian. No other vehicles or people were involved. The driver was licensed in Wisconsin. The police report makes no mention of helmet use or signaling as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4685375 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 6 - A scooter slammed into an SUV on Batchelder Street. Metal twisted. The rider’s face bled beneath his helmet. The SUV’s front crumpled. Failure to yield. Speed too fast. One man hurt. Brooklyn street, blood on the pavement.

A motorscooter and a GMC SUV collided on Batchelder Street near Avenue S in Brooklyn. The 38-year-old scooter rider suffered severe facial bleeding but remained conscious. According to the police report, 'A scooter slammed into the front of a GMC SUV. The unlicensed rider, 38, hit hard, face bleeding beneath his helmet. Metal twisted. The SUV’s left front crumpled. Failure to yield. Speed too fast.' The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The SUV’s left front was damaged. The rider wore a helmet. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4685165 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 6 - A 34-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries in a Brooklyn crash. His sedan struck another vehicle while stopped in traffic. The impact hit the left front bumper, causing whiplash. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old male driver in a 2022 Toyota sedan was injured in a collision on Avenue P in Brooklyn. The sedan, traveling west, struck another vehicle while stopped in traffic. The point of impact was the left front bumper, and the sedan sustained damage to the center front end. The driver suffered neck injuries described as whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not specify driver errors or victim fault.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4687144 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 2 - A Tesla sedan struck the center back end of another vehicle on Haring Street. Two rear passengers suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both were conscious and not ejected. The driver was slowing or stopping before impact. Injuries were moderate.

According to the police report, a 2021 Tesla sedan traveling south on Haring Street rear-ended another vehicle. The point of impact was the center back end of the Tesla. Two rear passengers, a 28-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman, were injured with neck injuries and whiplash. Both passengers were conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The driver was licensed in New York and was slowing or stopping before the crash. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction. Both injured occupants were not using any safety equipment. The crash resulted in moderate injury severity for the passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4684319 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 27 - A dump truck rolled down Avenue P. A 77-year-old woman crossed at East 19th. The truck’s front end struck her. She died at the scene. The driver kept going straight. The truck showed no damage. The street stayed silent.

A 77-year-old woman was killed at the corner of Avenue P and East 19th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a dump truck rolled east and struck her with its front end as she crossed the intersection. She suffered fatal crush injuries and died at the scene. The truck showed no damage. The driver continued straight after the crash. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were detailed in the data. The victim was a pedestrian at the intersection. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4683230 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19