Night streets. Same pain.

Apr 26 - A bus passenger suffered neck injuries after a sedan started from parking and collided with the bus’s right rear quarter panel. The crash, caused by the sedan passing too closely, left the passenger with whiplash and conscious but injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Clarkson Avenue in Brooklyn at 16:14. A sedan, traveling west and starting from parking, collided with the right rear quarter panel of a westbound bus. The contributing factor cited was the sedan passing too closely. The bus sustained no damage, while the sedan’s left front bumper was damaged. The injured party was a 47-year-old male passenger on the bus, who suffered neck injuries described as whiplash and remained conscious. The report explicitly identifies the driver error as passing too closely, which directly led to the collision and injury. There are no victim behaviors listed as contributing factors. This incident highlights the dangers posed by improper passing maneuvers in mixed-vehicle traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720151 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 26 - Brooklyn Community Board 9 wants a protected bike lane on Empire Boulevard. The board passed a resolution after years of crashes and deaths. Cyclists and pedestrians have paid the price. Local officials back the call. DOT has not acted.

On April 18, 2024, Brooklyn Community Board 9 passed a resolution urging the Department of Transportation to build a protected bike lane on Empire Boulevard. The board wants to upgrade the faded painted lane, which runs west to Flatbush Boulevard, to a 'vehicle-protected' lane. The matter summary states: 'bring much-needed road safety to a neighborhood.' Council Members Rita Joseph and Crystal Hudson represent the area. Hudson's spokesperson called the resolution 'a necessary step to protect cyclists and pedestrians.' Joseph and DOT did not comment. Between 2021 and 2023, Empire Boulevard saw 406 crashes, injuring 29 cyclists and 52 pedestrians. Two cyclists and two pedestrians have died since 2011. Community Board 9 has zero miles of protected bike lanes. Advocates say improvements are overdue. DOT has yet to propose changes.

• Community Board Wants Protected Bike Lane on Empire Blvd., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-26

Apr 25 - A new state bill would let New York City street sweepers use cameras to catch cars blocking cleaning routes. Repeat offenders rack up most tickets. Lawmakers say dirty streets and blocked drains endanger everyone. The law would sunset in 2029.

Assembly Bill (unnumbered) was introduced by Brooklyn Assembly Member Brian Cunningham on April 25, 2024. The bill is pending in the state legislature. It would allow New York City to mount enforcement cameras on street sweepers to ticket cars parked illegally during street cleaning hours. The bill summary states it 'fulfills the Sanitation Department's longstanding ask for help getting vehicles out of the way of road-cleaning operations.' Cunningham, who sponsors the bill, said, 'Dirty streets are totally unacceptable.' Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch supports the change, noting that state law must allow automated ticketing. Uptown Manhattan State Senator Robert Jackson introduced a similar Senate bill. The law would phase in after a year and expire by mid-2029, giving officials time to assess its impact. No formal safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• Street Sweepers Could Nab Illegal Parking Under State Bill, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-25

Apr 23 - An 81-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by an SUV making a left turn on Foster Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing head injuries and bruising to the pedestrian. Glare contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:48 on Foster Avenue in Brooklyn. A 2023 Ford SUV, driven by a licensed male driver, was making a left turn when it struck an 81-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and contusions, classified as injury severity level 3, and remained conscious. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor on the driver's part. Additionally, glare is noted as a contributing factor affecting the pedestrian's visibility. The vehicle showed no damage upon impact, indicating the collision's nature and the pedestrian's vulnerability. This incident underscores the dangers posed by drivers not yielding to pedestrians at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719442 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 20 - A 17-year-old bicyclist was struck by a Mercedes SUV on Clarendon Road. He suffered fractures and dislocations across his body. The crash left the bike and SUV damaged. The teen remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 17-year-old male bicyclist traveling west on Clarendon Road in Brooklyn was struck by the right front quarter panel of a Mercedes SUV registered in New Jersey. The impact caused severe injuries to the bicyclist, including fractures and dislocations to his entire body. He was conscious and not ejected from the bike. The SUV sustained damage to its right side doors. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors for either party. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment, as noted after the absence of driver errors. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718809 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 19 - A 42-year-old female bicyclist suffered severe whole-body injuries after an SUV collided with her on Church Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact demolished the bike’s right side and trapped the rider, who was conscious but fractured and dislocated.

According to the police report, at 18:25 on Church Avenue in Brooklyn, a 2016 Honda SUV traveling east struck a female bicyclist also traveling east. The collision impacted the SUV’s right side doors and demolished the bike. The bicyclist, age 42, was trapped and sustained severe injuries including fractures and dislocations affecting her entire body. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not cite any driver errors explicitly. The bicyclist was conscious at the scene. The SUV had two occupants and the driver was licensed. The crash involved a direct side impact, indicating a failure to avoid collision. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718812 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 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 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 pushes for borough-based DOT teams. Staff must answer traffic requests fast. Response tied to need. Three-month deadline. Action targets slow fixes. Vulnerable road users wait less.

Int 0853-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on April 18, 2024. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to creating borough-based traffic request response teams,' requires the Department of Transportation to assign staff to each borough, matching staff numbers to request volume. Council Members Farah N. Louis (primary sponsor), Amanda Farías, and Rafael Salamanca, Jr. back the measure. The teams must respond to traffic requests within three months. The bill aims to cut delays that leave dangerous conditions unaddressed, giving vulnerable road users a better shot at safer streets.

• File Int 0853-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 7 - A moped slammed into a slowing sedan on New York Avenue. The rider, helmeted, struck hard and bled from the head, half-flung from his seat. Darkness pressed in. He stayed conscious. The street bore witness to metal, blood, and error.

According to the police report, a moped traveling south near 1084 New York Avenue in Brooklyn collided with the rear end of a sedan that was slowing or stopping. The moped rider, age 48, was partially ejected and suffered a severe head injury with significant bleeding, but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for the crash. The moped struck the center back end of the sedan, which had three occupants. The narrative notes the rider wore a helmet. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to maintain safe distance, especially at night.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715908 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 6 - SUV hit a 23-year-old woman crossing with the signal on Lenox Road. She suffered bruises to her knee, leg, and foot. The driver kept straight. No vehicle damage. The street left her in shock.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old female pedestrian was struck by an SUV while crossing Lenox Road at New York Avenue in Brooklyn. She was crossing with the signal when the eastbound SUV hit her. The woman suffered contusions to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was left in shock. The report lists no driver errors or contributing factors for the driver. The only contributing factors noted are unspecified and linked to the pedestrian. The SUV showed no damage. The crash underscores the danger pedestrians face, even when following signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715538 - 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 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 20 - A sedan turned left on Snyder Avenue, its bumper smashing into a man’s head as he crossed with the signal. Blood pooled. The man, semiconscious and bleeding hard, lay on the asphalt while the traffic light cycled on.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Snyder Avenue near New York Avenue made a left turn and struck a 41-year-old man who was crossing at the intersection. The report states the pedestrian was 'crossing with the signal' when the sedan’s left front bumper hit his head, leaving him semiconscious and bleeding severely on the roadway. The police report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The vehicle’s point of impact was the center front end, with damage to the left front bumper. The pedestrian’s actions—crossing with the signal—are noted only after the driver’s errors, underscoring the systemic danger faced by those on foot when drivers fail to yield and pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4711375 - 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 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 19 - Council wants bold signs at every school entrance. Paint on pavement. Metal overhead. The aim: warn drivers, shield kids. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait. Danger does not.

Bill Int 0714-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 19, 2024. The bill reads: 'installing safety signs near schools.' Council Member Susan Zhuang leads, joined by Rivera, Gennaro, Won, Hanif, Gutiérrez, Louis, Cabán, Restler, Farías, Banks, Riley, and Feliz. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to paint and hang school safety signs on every street with a school entrance. The goal: alert drivers to children and pedestrians. The bill awaits further action. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0714-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-19

Mar 19 - Council bill orders DOT to repair broken curbs during street resurfacing. Hazardous curbs trip, trap, and injure. The fix is overdue. Pedestrians need solid ground. Council moves to force action.

Int 0724-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced March 19, 2024, the bill commands DOT to repair broken curbs that pose safety hazards during any resurfacing project. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... requiring that the department of transportation repair broken curbs as part of resurfacing projects.' Council Members Schulman, Gennaro (primary), Gutiérrez, Louis, Brewer, and Avilés sponsor the measure. The bill targets a simple danger: shattered curbs that trip and injure. If passed, DOT must fix these hazards as routine, not afterthought. The law would take effect 120 days after enactment.

• File Int 0724-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-19

Mar 15 - A Brooklyn subway shooting jolted lawmakers. Jo Anne Simon called the National Guard’s presence unwarranted, stoking fear instead of safety. Calls for more policing, mental health funding, and gun control echoed. Riders remain wary. No clear path to safer commutes.

On March 15, 2024, following a deadly subway shooting, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon (District 52) and other lawmakers responded with urgency. The incident came days after Governor Hochul’s National Guard deployment in the transit system. Simon stated, 'The Governor's recent deployment of the National Guard was unwarranted and caused fear rather than a sense of safety.' Other officials, including Brian Cunningham and Lester Chang, debated the effectiveness of increased policing and called for more investment in mental health and gun safety. The matter, titled 'NYC subway shooting a ‘wake up call’,' underscores deep divides on how to protect riders. Simon’s stance highlights the risk of heavy-handed security measures fueling anxiety, not safety, for vulnerable New Yorkers.

• NYC subway shooting a ‘wake up call’ — coming on heels of NY Gov. Kathy Hochul’s National Guard safety plan: lawmakers, nypost.com, Published 2024-03-15