Flatlands Bleeds: Speed Kills, Leaders Sleep

A 62-year-old woman suffered head injuries and shock after a sedan driver backed unsafely and distractedly into her as she emerged from in front of a parked vehicle in Brooklyn. The driver caused the collision by failing to maintain attention.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Brooklyn at 17:20 when a sedan driven by a licensed female driver started backing out from a parking position. The pedestrian, a 62-year-old woman, was emerging from in front of a parked vehicle when the sedan struck her. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Backing Unsafely' as contributing factors, highlighting the driver’s failure to maintain awareness during the maneuver. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and was in shock but had no visible complaints at the scene. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact occurring at the center back end. This incident underscores the dangers posed by inattentive drivers performing backing maneuvers in areas where pedestrians emerge unexpectedly.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772985 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A northbound motorcyclist struck the left rear bumper of a southbound sedan making a right turn in Brooklyn. The rider, wearing a helmet, suffered abdominal and pelvic abrasions but remained conscious. The crash exposed risks in vehicle turning maneuvers.

According to the police report, at 6:37 AM in Brooklyn near Avenue I, a motorbike traveling north collided with the left rear bumper of a southbound sedan making a right turn. The motorcyclist, a 39-year-old male wearing a helmet, was injured with abrasions to the abdomen and pelvis but remained conscious and was not ejected. The sedan had two occupants, and the driver was licensed in New York. The motorbike's point of impact and damage was the center front end, indicating a frontal collision with the sedan's rear. The report lists the motorcyclist's contributing factors as unspecified, and no explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited. The crash highlights the dangers motorcyclists face when vehicles execute turning maneuvers in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771486 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Jessica Scarcella-Spanton led Staten Island and Brooklyn politicians in a rally against congestion pricing. They gathered at the Verrazano Bridge, denouncing the plan as a burden on working-class commuters. The coalition promised fierce resistance, demanding the governor keep the program paused.

On November 14, 2024, State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (District 23) led a bipartisan rally against the revival of congestion pricing. The event, held at the Verrazano Bridge, included U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Council Member Joe Borelli, and others. The group opposed Governor Hochul's plan to re-implement congestion pricing, which would charge vehicles entering lower Manhattan. The rally's matter title: 'Staten Island, Brooklyn pols rally against congestion pricing as Hochul considers reviving program.' Scarcella-Spanton pledged to 'fight tooth and nail until congestion pricing is dead.' Brooklyn Assembly Member Jaime Williams and others condemned the plan as unfair to transit deserts and working-class communities. No safety analyst assessment was provided regarding the impact on vulnerable road users.

• Staten Island, Brooklyn pols rally against congestion pricing as Hochul considers reviving program, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-11-14

Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

A sedan barreled south on Utica Avenue and struck a man crossing with the signal. Blood streaked his face. He stood, conscious, torn by steel and rage, his eye lacerated, the street marked by violence and failure.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Utica Avenue at Avenue K struck a 35-year-old man who was crossing the intersection with the signal. The report states the vehicle's front end hit the pedestrian head-on, resulting in severe lacerations to his eye. The pedestrian remained conscious at the scene. The police report explicitly cites 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors in the collision. The pedestrian's behavior—'Crossing With Signal'—is noted in the report, but only after the driver's aggressive actions and failure to yield. The incident underscores the danger posed by aggressive driving and the systemic risks faced by people walking in New York City.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765153 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan collided with an e-scooter traveling north on Foster Avenue. The e-scooter driver, a 38-year-old man, was partially ejected and suffered contusions over his entire body. The crash involved driver inattention and distraction as key factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:47 on Foster Avenue near Kings Highway. A sedan traveling east struck the left side doors of an e-scooter going straight ahead northbound. The e-scooter driver, a 38-year-old man, was partially ejected and sustained contusions and bruises over his entire body. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' twice as contributing factors, indicating both drivers failed to maintain proper attention. The sedan's point of impact was the center front end, while the e-scooter sustained damage to its left front quarter panel. The e-scooter driver was conscious but injured, with no safety equipment noted. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in interactions between motor vehicles and vulnerable micromobility users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764542 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan backed unsafely on New York Avenue and struck a 7-year-old boy. The child suffered a head injury and concussion. The driver’s action caused the crash. The boy was conscious but hurt.

According to the police report, at 11:09 AM near 2069 New York Avenue in Brooklyn, a sedan backed unsafely and struck a 7-year-old male pedestrian. The report states the driver was moving southbound in reverse and hit the child with the vehicle’s left rear bumper. The boy was not in the roadway but was still impacted, suffering a head injury and concussion. The police cite "Backing Unsafely" as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior are listed. The child was conscious after the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764089 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 33-year-old man suffered upper arm injuries after a sedan struck him at a Brooklyn intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the vehicle, making a right turn, hit him with its left front bumper, causing shock and injury.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of New York Avenue and Avenue H in Brooklyn around 1:00 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2023 Toyota sedan, traveling north and making a right turn, struck him with the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained an upper arm injury and was in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not indicate any fault or error on the pedestrian's part. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The collision highlights the danger posed by turning vehicles to pedestrians at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764729 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Council scrapped jaywalking tickets. Pedestrians can cross outside crosswalks. Police lose a tool for targeting Black and Hispanic New Yorkers. The bill keeps some restrictions. Advocates call it a start, not a finish. The vote: 40 for, eight against.

On September 26, 2024, the New York City Council passed a modified jaywalking decriminalization bill. The measure, sponsored by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, cleared the Council with 40 votes in favor and eight against. The bill's summary states it 'legalizes jaywalking, allowing pedestrians to walk into the street outside of crosswalks.' Narcisse stressed, 'Enforcement has disproportionately impacted certain communities, with 96.5 percent of jaywalking tickets this year issued to Black and Hispanic New Yorkers.' The legislation removes jaywalking as a pretext for police stops, though officers may still intervene for other reasons. The Department of Transportation must now educate the public on street rights and responsibilities. Advocates hailed the bill as historic, but say more must be done to protect pedestrians.

• Modified ‘Jaywalking’ Repeal Passes Council, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-26

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

City Council pulled the jaywalking bill before a vote. Advocates warned new language could blame pedestrians for crashes. The bill would have let people cross mid-block, but now demands they yield to drivers. Racial bias in enforcement remains unaddressed.

On September 12, 2024, the City Council delayed action on a bill to legalize jaywalking. The measure, sponsored by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, passed the Transportation Committee but was withdrawn before a full Council vote. The bill’s summary stated it would 'legalize crossing outside crosswalks and require a pedestrian education campaign.' Advocates objected to last-minute changes that would force pedestrians to yield to drivers, fearing it could criminalize those struck by cars. Narcisse highlighted 'systemic bias in how these laws are enforced.' Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers said, 'There is little evidence to support the claim that criminal or civil offenses for jaywalking change pedestrian behavior or increase pedestrian safety,' and noted racial disparities in ticketing. The NYPD and DOT opposed the bill, citing safety concerns. The bill’s fate remains uncertain, with advocates demanding stronger protections for pedestrians.

• Council Balks on Legalizing ‘Jaywalking’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-12

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 2024-09-10

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 2024-09-10

A sedan cut left on Utica Avenue. An e-bike shot straight. Two young men launched from the bike, heads striking pavement. Blood pooled. Both lay conscious, bleeding, silent in the Brooklyn night. The street bore witness to their pain.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn at Utica Avenue and Avenue H in Brooklyn collided with an e-bike traveling straight. The crash occurred at 22:40. The report states, 'A sedan turned left. An e-bike kept straight. Two young men flew from the bike, no helmets. Their heads hit pavement. Blood pooled. Both conscious. Both bleeding.' Both e-bike riders, aged 22 and 21, were ejected and suffered severe head injuries with heavy bleeding. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, highlighting a driver error. The sedan's left turn across the e-bike's path and the disregard for traffic control devices are central to the crash. The report notes the e-bike riders were not wearing helmets, but this detail is mentioned after the driver’s failure to obey traffic rules. The focus remains on the systemic danger posed by driver actions and traffic violations.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753262 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A male pedestrian suffered head abrasions after being hit outside an intersection on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn. The victim remained conscious despite injuries. The crash involved an unspecified vehicle and occurred in the early morning hours.

According to the police report, a male pedestrian was injured outside an intersection on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn at approximately 4:30 a.m. The pedestrian sustained head abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The report identifies the pedestrian's location as "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Not at Intersection" and notes an injury severity level of 3. The vehicle involved is unspecified, and no contributing factors such as driver errors or pedestrian actions are listed in the report. The absence of cited driver errors or contributing factors leaves the circumstances of the collision unclear, but the pedestrian was clearly struck outside of a crosswalk or intersection area.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753259 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided at night on Kings Highway in Brooklyn. The driver of one vehicle suffered chest injuries and shock. Both drivers were distracted, causing the crash. Impact struck the front center of one car and left rear quarter panel of the other.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:30 p.m. on Kings Highway in Brooklyn involving two sedans traveling west and south. Both drivers were licensed men operating their vehicles straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of the westbound sedan and the left rear quarter panel of the southbound sedan. The driver of the westbound vehicle, a 30-year-old man wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained chest injuries and was in shock. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both drivers. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision resulted from both drivers failing to maintain attention, leading to the impact and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752434 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A motorcycle slammed into a woman crossing Nostrand Avenue with the signal. She suffered fractures and dislocations. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield as causes.

According to the police report, a motorcycle heading south on Nostrand Avenue struck a 54-year-old woman as she crossed at Avenue N with the signal. She was hit at the center front end of the motorcycle and suffered injuries to her entire body, including fractures and dislocations. She remained conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. No pedestrian errors or other contributing factors were noted. The impact was direct and forceful, caused by the driver's failure to yield to a pedestrian lawfully crossing.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751984 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04