Brownsville Bleeds—Leaders Stall. Demand Safe Streets Now.

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

Two sedans slammed together on Lott Avenue. A 24-year-old driver took a blow to the face. Police blamed unsafe speed and failure to yield. Metal twisted. One man hurt. Brooklyn night, sirens cut the dark.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at 8:58 PM on Lott Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash left a 24-year-old male driver with facial contusions. Police cited 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as causes. The eastbound Kia struck the northbound Hyundai, hitting its left front quarter panel. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. The injured driver was conscious, restrained by a lap belt, and protected by an airbag. No one was ejected. The report lists driver errors as the main factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758558 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 52-year-old bicyclist suffered abrasions and arm injuries after a collision at Dumont Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash involved a Jeep and a bike traveling north. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way by the unlicensed driver as the cause.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 16:40 on Dumont Avenue in Brooklyn involving a Jeep SUV and a bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 52-year-old male riding north without safety equipment, sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' by the unlicensed driver of the bicycle as a contributing factor. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The Jeep, also traveling north, impacted the left front bumper with no reported vehicle damage. Driver error in yielding right-of-way was the primary cause, with no other contributing victim behaviors noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758338 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A young woman driving a sedan on Chester Street crashed late at night. The vehicle suffered right front bumper damage. The driver, wearing a lap belt and harness, experienced shock but was not ejected. Police cited driver inexperience as a key factor.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 23:27 on Chester Street in Brooklyn. The driver, an 18-year-old female, was operating a 2011 Toyota sedan traveling north. The vehicle was initially parked before the crash, which resulted in damage to the right front bumper. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected but suffered shock. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor to the collision, highlighting the role of driver error in the incident. No other contributing factors related to the victim or external conditions were noted. The crash involved impact to the right front bumper of the sedan and right rear bumper of an unspecified vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759461 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans slammed head-on on Sutter Avenue. Both drivers hurt. One woman suffered shoulder and arm injuries, whiplash, and shock. No pedestrians or cyclists involved. Police list no driver errors.

According to the police report, two sedans collided head-on on Sutter Avenue in Brooklyn at 11:00 AM. Both vehicles were traveling straight, one eastbound, one westbound. The female driver of the westbound sedan suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries, whiplash, and shock. Both drivers were licensed. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified for both drivers. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact crushed the front ends of both cars. The police report does not cite failure to yield or any other driver error.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4754533 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Two sedans collided late at night on Rockaway Avenue in Brooklyn. Both drivers suffered injuries to their entire bodies and were in shock. Alcohol involvement and unsafe speed contributed to the crash, which caused significant damage to both vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:47 PM on Rockaway Avenue near Livonia Avenue in Brooklyn. Two sedans traveling south collided: one was going straight ahead, the other making a U-turn. Both drivers, a 37-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man, were injured with bodily trauma to their entire bodies and reported complaints of pain or nausea. Both were wearing lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report cites alcohol involvement and unsafe speed as contributing factors for both drivers. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the Honda and the left side doors of the Ford, causing damage to those areas. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The crash left both occupants in shock and injured, highlighting the dangers of impaired driving and excessive speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747414 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 46-year-old woman driver and her 22-year-old front passenger suffered head contusions and shock in a Brooklyn crash. The sedan, making a left turn on Legion Street, struck another vehicle with its right front bumper, causing center front-end damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Legion Street in Brooklyn around 6:00 a.m. A 2019 Nissan sedan, traveling west, was making a left turn when it collided with another unspecified vehicle. The point of impact was the sedan's right front bumper, resulting in center front-end damage. The driver, a 46-year-old woman, and her 22-year-old female front passenger were both injured, sustaining head contusions and experiencing shock. Both occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected from the vehicle. The report does not list any contributing factors such as failure to yield or other driver errors, nor does it attribute any fault to the victims. The crash highlights the dangers involved in left-turn maneuvers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746518 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 45-year-old man crossing Saratoga Avenue was struck by a northbound SUV. He suffered abrasions and leg injuries. Police cite improper lane use and failure to yield by the driver.

According to the police report, a 45-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Saratoga Avenue in Brooklyn at 12:20 PM. The northbound SUV, driven by a licensed woman, struck him with the right front bumper. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as driver errors. The pedestrian, crossing outside a crosswalk or signal, sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The vehicle showed no damage. The police report attributes the crash to driver actions, with no contributing factors listed for the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743311 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided at Strauss Street in Brooklyn. One driver made a right turn while the other proceeded straight. The impact struck the right rear passenger, causing neck injury and whiplash. The passenger was conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:50 AM on Strauss Street, Brooklyn. A 2019 Hyundai sedan was making a right turn when it collided with a 2018 Jeep sedan traveling straight south. The point of impact was the center front end of the Hyundai and the right side doors of the Jeep. The collision injured a 34-year-old female passenger seated in the right rear of the Jeep. She suffered a neck injury described as whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt at the time. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles legally. The injury to the passenger highlights the dangers of side-impact collisions even when occupants are restrained.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742288 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan and pick-up truck crashed on Blake Avenue. Unsafe speed and blocked sightlines. The sedan driver, a woman, suffered severe injuries. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a sedan and a pick-up truck collided on Blake Avenue. The 37-year-old woman driving the sedan was badly hurt, suffering injuries to her entire body and was incoherent at the scene. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors, pointing to driver errors that led to the crash. The sedan was struck on its left rear quarter panel, while the pick-up truck was damaged at the center front end. No actions by the injured driver contributed to the crash. The violence of the impact left the sedan driver injured but not ejected from her car.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740478 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council Member Chi Ossé joined activists at Nostrand Avenue station. They blasted Governor Hochul’s pause on congestion pricing. The delay halts elevator upgrades, trapping seniors, parents, and disabled riders. The street outside roars with traffic. The subway stays out of reach.

On July 11, 2024, Council Member Chi Ossé (District 36) stood with Riders Alliance and other advocates outside the Nostrand Avenue subway station. They protested Governor Kathy Hochul’s June 5 decision to suspend congestion pricing, a move that froze $16.5 billion in MTA upgrades, including elevators for Bed-Stuy’s busy station. The event, covered by brooklynpaper.com, highlighted the urgent need for accessibility: 'We want our elevators, we want our service, and we want it now,' said State Sen. Jabari Brisport. Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest called the delay a denial of basic rights. Ossé called Hochul’s move 'an attack on our most vulnerable constituents.' Only a quarter of city stations are wheelchair-accessible. The hold traps thousands—seniors, parents, disabled riders—forcing them to risk dangerous streets or skip transit altogether.

• Activists rail against Hochul’s congestion pricing delay, call for accessibility upgrades to Bed-Stuy subway station, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-07-11

An SUV making a right turn struck an unlicensed driver going straight. The impact damaged the SUV’s right side doors and the other vehicle’s front center. A 21-year-old passenger in the SUV suffered knee and lower leg abrasions.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Junius Street at 16:43. The SUV, driven by a licensed male driver, was making a right turn when it collided with another vehicle traveling straight north. The other driver was unlicensed. The point of impact was the SUV’s right side doors and the other vehicle’s center front end, causing damage to both vehicles. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error. A 21-year-old male passenger in the SUV, seated in the middle front seat or lying across a seat, was injured with abrasions to the knee, lower leg, and foot. No other contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741131 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A distracted driver failed to yield and crashed into a parked SUV on Riverdale Avenue. Both drivers were hurt. Metal twisted. Quarter panels crumpled. Systemic danger on city streets laid bare.

According to the police report, a 51-year-old woman driving a 2022 Jeep SUV southbound on Riverdale Avenue struck a parked SUV at 7:45 p.m. in Brooklyn. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The moving SUV hit the parked vehicle's left rear quarter panel, crushing metal and injuring both drivers. The woman suffered injuries to her entire body. The male driver of the other SUV sustained knee and lower leg wounds. Both were conscious and restrained by lap belts. The crash underscores driver errors—distraction and failure to yield—as central causes. No victim actions contributed, according to the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740253 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan traveling south on New Lots Avenue rear-ended a southbound e-scooter. The e-scooter driver, a 29-year-old woman, was ejected and suffered elbow and lower arm injuries. Police cite driver inattention as the cause of the crash.

According to the police report, at 2:10 AM on New Lots Avenue in Brooklyn, a sedan traveling south struck the rear center of an e-scooter also traveling south. The e-scooter driver, a 29-year-old female, was ejected from her vehicle and sustained injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, resulting in a complaint of pain or nausea and shock. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. Both vehicles were moving straight ahead at the time of impact. The sedan's rear center collided with the e-scooter's front center, causing damage to both vehicles. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738495 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 23-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after a sedan backing unsafely hit her. The crash occurred on Riverdale Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver failed to yield while reversing, causing injury and shock to the pedestrian.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2014 Acura sedan backed unsafely on Riverdale Avenue in Brooklyn at 7:46 PM. The report states the driver was reversing westbound and struck the pedestrian, who was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. The pedestrian sustained abrasions to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in injury severity level 3 and shock. The contributing factor cited is 'Backing Unsafely,' highlighting the driver's failure to yield while reversing. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact. No pedestrian behaviors were listed as contributing factors. This incident underscores the dangers posed by unsafe vehicle backing maneuvers in urban areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740247 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs slammed together on Livonia Avenue. Both drivers failed to yield. One man suffered neck injuries and shock. The crash tore up left front bumpers. Driver inattention and yielding failures fueled the wreck.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided at 17:14 on Livonia Avenue in Brooklyn. Both vehicles struck at the left front bumper. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' for both drivers and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' for one. A 51-year-old male driver was injured, suffering neck injuries and shock. No ejection occurred. The police report cites driver errors—failure to yield and inattention—as the causes. No contributing factors are attributed to the injured driver beyond those listed. The crash highlights the danger when drivers ignore right-of-way and lose focus behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740624 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

State senators debate cutting the $15 congestion toll. Brad Hoylman-Sigal backs a lower fee if safety and transit gains hold. Liz Krueger wants $1 billion for the MTA. Jabari Brisport slams the rushed process. Trump vows to kill the tolls.

On July 2, 2024, state lawmakers, including Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), discussed reducing the $15 base congestion pricing fee. The debate, reported by Gothamist, centers on whether a lower toll could unfreeze the program while still funding the MTA. Hoylman-Sigal said, "Nobody's wedded to $15. We are wedded to the improvements that congestion pricing will provide for mass transit or safety on our streets for cleaner air." Sen. Liz Krueger is open to a new fee if it raises $1 billion yearly. Sen. Jabari Brisport criticized the lack of study and feedback in the process, calling it "irresponsible." Any change needs legislative, MTA, and federal approval. Trump has promised to end congestion pricing if elected. No formal safety analysis was provided for vulnerable road users.

• NY lawmakers weigh lower congestion pricing fee – but Trump could kill tolls if elected, gothamist.com, Published 2024-07-02

A left-turning SUV struck a sedan traveling straight east on Sutter Avenue. The sedan’s front center bore the impact. A rear passenger in the sedan suffered whiplash and neck injury. Driver distraction was cited as a key factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:57 on Sutter Avenue involving two vehicles: a 2008 Mazda SUV making a left turn and a 2020 Ford sedan traveling straight east. The point of impact was the right side doors of the SUV and the center front end of the sedan. The sedan carried three occupants; one male rear passenger, age 41, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash, remaining conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The police report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, indicating a failure in driver focus during the maneuver. The SUV driver held a permit license, while the sedan driver was licensed. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the systemic danger posed by distracted driving during left turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736899 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An 18-year-old woman suffered back injuries and shock after a northbound SUV making a left turn struck her at a Brooklyn intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the driver’s inattention caused the collision.

According to the police report, a 2005 SUV traveling north on Sutter Avenue in Brooklyn was making a left turn when it struck an 18-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained back injuries and was in shock, complaining of pain or nausea. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The vehicle’s point of impact was the right front bumper, and there was no reported damage to the vehicle. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. This collision highlights the danger posed by distracted driving during turning maneuvers in busy urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736538 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04