Ocean Hill Bleeds While Leaders Stall

A southbound SUV struck another vehicle while changing lanes improperly on Saratoga Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver, a 41-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cite passing or lane usage errors as the cause, highlighting driver fault.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:58 on Saratoga Avenue in Brooklyn. A 41-year-old female driver of a 2024 SUV was injured, sustaining neck pain and shock, with a complaint of pain or nausea. The SUV was traveling south and was starting from parking when it collided with another southbound vehicle during a lane change. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the SUV and the right front bumper of the other vehicle. The police report identifies 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error in lane changing. The SUV driver was licensed and not ejected but suffered injury severity level 3. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728203 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council bill targets repeat pedal-assist bike violators. Three strikes trigger a mandatory safety course. Ignore the course, lose your bike. DOT will track results. Three-year pilot. Enforcement, not education, leads.

Int 0874-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced May 16, 2024, by Council Members Ariola (primary), Hanks, Hudson, Louis, Mealy, and Banks, the bill orders DOT to launch a pilot abatement program for unsafe pedal-assist bicycle operators. The bill summary states: 'Pedal-assist bicycle operators who accrue 3 or more moving violations under city law would be required to take a safe pedal-assist bicycle operation course offered by DOT.' Noncompliance means bike impoundment. DOT must report on course completions, impounds, and program effectiveness. The pilot sunsets after three years. The bill aims to curb reckless riding through strict enforcement.

• File Int 0874-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

Council moves to light up step streets. At least 25 stairways each year will get new lamps. Dark paths become visible. Pedestrians gain ground. Shadows shrink. Danger loses its cover.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 16, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola, joined by sixteen co-sponsors, pushes for at least 25 step streets to be lit each year until all are covered. Step streets are open-air staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to strip darkness from these paths, making them safer for people on foot. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0875-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

A moped traveling south was demolished after colliding with an eastbound SUV in Brooklyn. The moped driver was ejected and suffered severe lower leg injuries. The crash report cites unsafe speed as the contributing factor in this violent impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:37 AM near 551 Chauncey Street in Brooklyn. A moped traveling south collided with a 2024 Mazda SUV traveling east. The moped was demolished on impact, and the moped driver, a 25-year-old male, was ejected from the vehicle. He sustained serious injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3, and was conscious at the scene. The SUV driver, a 31-year-old male, also suffered a head contusion but was not ejected. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor to the crash. The moped driver was wearing a helmet, but no other contributing factors were noted. The violent collision highlights the dangers posed by excessive speed and the vulnerability of moped riders in crashes with larger vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724723 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 24-year-old woman suffered back contusions after a distracted driver hit her at a Broadway intersection. The driver ignored traffic controls, striking the pedestrian with the vehicle’s right front bumper while she crossed with the signal.

According to the police report, at 15:11 on Broadway, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a vehicle traveling south struck her at an intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal, yet the driver failed to yield, exhibiting 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The impact occurred at the vehicle’s right front bumper, causing the pedestrian to sustain a back contusion classified as injury severity level 3. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating a low-speed collision. The report highlights the driver’s failure to observe traffic controls and maintain attention, directly causing harm to the pedestrian who was lawfully crossing.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721324 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. A 2-year-old passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both drivers were distracted, causing the crash. The impact damaged the front center of one car and the rear left of the other.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Eastern Parkway near Saint Johns Place in Brooklyn at 12:44. One vehicle, traveling south, was driven by a female with a learner's permit going straight ahead. The other, traveling north, was driven by a licensed male making a U-turn. The point of impact was the center front end of the southbound sedan and the left rear bumper of the northbound sedan. Both drivers were cited for Driver Inattention/Distraction as contributing factors. A 2-year-old male occupant in the southbound vehicle, restrained in a child safety seat, suffered neck injuries and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. Vehicle damage was concentrated on the front center and left rear quarter panel respectively, underscoring the collision dynamics caused by driver distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724726 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Two SUVs collided while parked on Saratoga Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver of the striking vehicle suffered shock but no severe injuries. Glare impaired visibility, contributing to the crash. Both vehicles sustained center-end damage in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:04 on Saratoga Avenue in Brooklyn. Two station wagon/SUV vehicles were involved, both initially parked. The striking vehicle, a 2013 BMW SUV driven by a licensed female driver, impacted the center back end of a 2011 Chrysler SUV, also parked, driven by a licensed male. The collision caused center front and back end damage to the respective vehicles. The report cites glare as a contributing factor, indicating impaired visibility for the striking driver. The female driver of the BMW experienced shock but no specified bodily injuries. There is no indication of victim fault or pedestrian involvement. The crash highlights the dangers posed by environmental conditions like glare and driver failure to maintain control while parked.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717209 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped struck a stopped sedan on Eastern Parkway. The 24-year-old rider, helmeted, sat upright, bleeding from the head. Night air thick with shock, his silence echoed off Pacific Street. Brooklyn’s streets claimed another body, crushed and still.

According to the police report, a moped traveling south on Eastern Parkway near Pacific Street collided with the right side doors of a sedan that was stopped in traffic. The 24-year-old moped rider, who was wearing a helmet, suffered head injuries described as 'crush injuries' and was found in shock, upright and bleeding. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors in the crash. The sedan sustained damage to its right side doors, while the moped’s center front end was crushed. The police narrative notes the rider did not fall from the moped but remained silent and injured at the scene. The systemic danger of inattentive driving and inexperience is underscored by the severe injury to the vulnerable moped operator.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716060 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided head-on on Bergen Street in Brooklyn. Both drivers suffered concussions and shock. The front passenger also sustained lower leg injuries. Both vehicles bore center front end damage. The crash left two injured, shaken, and hospitalized.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling straight ahead collided head-on at Bergen Street and Saratoga Avenue in Brooklyn around 8:15 p.m. Both vehicles sustained center front end damage. The driver of the Pennsylvania-registered sedan, a 30-year-old male, was injured with a concussion and neck injury, and was in shock. The front passenger, a 39-year-old female, suffered concussion and lower leg injuries and was also in shock. Both occupants used lap belts and had airbags deployed. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for both injured occupants but does not cite any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash highlights the dangers of vehicle collisions even without clear driver fault identified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715307 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A tow truck turning left on Broadway collided with a northbound bicyclist. The cyclist suffered hip and upper leg injuries, sustaining bruises. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and inattention as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, a tow truck traveling east on Broadway was making a left turn when it struck a 26-year-old male bicyclist traveling northbound. The point of impact was the tow truck’s right front bumper and the bike’s center front end. The bicyclist was injured with contusions and bruises to his hip and upper leg but was conscious and not ejected from his bike. The report explicitly lists the tow truck driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The tow truck sustained no damage, while the bike’s front end was damaged. The cyclist’s safety equipment status is unknown, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The crash occurred at 8:30 p.m.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713863 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

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

Council bill demands DOT fix NYCHA sidewalks first. Seniors come before all. Broken walks trip, injure, kill. Law forces city to show its work. No more hiding behind red tape.

Bill Int 0504-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 7, 2024. It orders the DOT to prioritize sidewalk repairs at NYCHA sites, with senior housing first. The bill summary reads: 'establishing priority for sidewalk repairs at developments operated by the New York city housing authority.' Sponsors include Alexa Avilés (primary), Shaun Abreu, Shahana K. Hanif, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Sandy Nurse, Jennifer Gutiérrez, Pierina Ana Sanchez, Lincoln Restler, Rafael Salamanca, Jr., and Farah N. Louis. The law also requires public reporting of repairs and timelines. Sidewalk neglect endangers NYCHA residents—this bill aims to force action and transparency.

• File Int 0504-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

A 45-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries while crossing Eastern Parkway with the signal. The pedestrian was left in shock. The crash involved an unspecified vehicle. No driver errors or contributing factors were reported in the police data.

According to the police report, a 45-year-old female pedestrian was injured at an intersection on Eastern Parkway at 10:20. She was crossing with the signal when struck by an unspecified vehicle. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in shock. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The vehicle involved is described only as unspecified, with no details on driver actions or vehicle damage. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. This incident highlights a crash involving a vulnerable road user despite compliance with crossing signals, with no explicit driver fault recorded in the available data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707389 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

Council moves to expand Open Streets on busy holidays. More hours. More car-free blocks. Pedestrians and cyclists get space when crowds surge. Streets shift from traffic to people. Danger drops. The city listens to neighborhoods.

Bill Int 0270-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it amends city code to require the Department of Transportation to expand Open Streets hours on holidays with heavy foot traffic—Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day, Halloween, and others. The bill reads: 'special activation of the Open Streets program on certain holidays and time periods with significant pedestrian traffic.' Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rivera, Brooks-Powers, Louis, Nurse, Ossé, Sanchez, Cabán, Banks, Avilés, Riley, Salaam, Hanif, Feliz, Won, Restler, and Joseph. Community groups can suggest more dates. The city must review all requests under the same standards as regular Open Streets. This bill aims to give people the street when they need it most.

• File Int 0270-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council bill demands NYPD track every time cops use cars as weapons. No more hiding behind vague stats. Each crash, each injury, must be counted. The city moves closer to truth.

Int 0255-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Member Lincoln Restler and co-sponsored by Hudson, Won, Hanif, Bottcher, Brewer, Avilés, Abreu, Ossé, Krishnan, Williams, Cabán, Nurse, Sanchez, and at the Brooklyn Borough President's request. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to use of force incidents involving police department use of a motor vehicle.' It forces the NYPD to report every use of a car to control a subject. No more lumping these acts with other force. The bill aims for hard numbers and real accountability. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, passengers—will no longer be invisible in police data.

• File Int 0255-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28