Speed Kills in Canarsie. Who Will Stop It?

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

A motorcycle driver was ejected and seriously injured after a collision caused by an improper left turn. The impact struck the motorcycle’s front center, fracturing the rider’s lower leg and foot. The crash unfolded on Flatlands Avenue in Brooklyn.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Flatlands Avenue in Brooklyn at 5:27 PM. The motorcycle, traveling westbound, was struck at the center front end by a vehicle making an improper left turn from the opposite direction. The collision caused the 32-year-old male motorcycle driver, who was wearing a helmet, to be ejected from the bike. He suffered a fracture and dislocation to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in serious injury and shock. The report identifies the driver error as 'Turning Improperly,' highlighting the turning vehicle’s failure to yield or execute the maneuver safely. No contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior were noted. The crash underscores the dangers posed by improper turns in traffic and the severe consequences for vulnerable motorcyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770218 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Toyota SUV hit a 66-year-old man crossing Seaview Avenue. The bumper struck his head. He died alone under the streetlamp. The crash left the intersection marked by violence and silence, another life ended by steel and speed.

A 66-year-old man was killed when a Toyota SUV struck him head-on as he crossed Seaview Avenue near Rockaway Parkway in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the SUV’s left front bumper hit the pedestrian’s head, causing fatal injuries. The report states the man was 'crossing against the signal,' but lists the driver’s contributing factors as 'unspecified.' The impact occurred at the intersection, with the pedestrian dying at the scene. The police narrative describes the man dying alone under the glare of the streetlamp. The data highlights the lethal consequences when a large vehicle meets a vulnerable road user in a crosswalk, regardless of signal status. No specific driver errors were cited in the police report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768224 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A distracted driver crashed a sedan into an SUV on East 79th Street. The sedan’s driver, a 36-year-old woman, suffered back injuries and shock. Both vehicles were badly damaged. Inattention behind the wheel caused harm.

According to the police report, a crash occurred just after midnight on East 79th Street in Brooklyn. A sedan heading west struck the left front bumper of a northbound SUV making a left turn. The sedan’s 36-year-old female driver was injured, suffering back pain and shock. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No victim actions or helmet use contributed to the crash. The collision left both vehicles with significant front-end damage. This incident highlights the danger posed by driver distraction and its direct impact on vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767637 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A motorcycle and SUV collided on East 96 Street in Brooklyn. Three occupants suffered serious injuries, including fractures and whiplash. The crash involved driver inattention and disregarded traffic controls, causing severe vehicle damage and bodily harm.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on East 96 Street involving a motorcycle and a GMC SUV. The motorcycle driver, a 21-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained a fractured and dislocated elbow and lower arm. The SUV driver, a 42-year-old female, suffered whiplash and injuries to her entire body. A 7-year-old passenger in the SUV experienced shock and pain. The report cites "Traffic Control Disregarded" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as contributing factors for all injured parties. The SUV was traveling north and impacted on its left rear bumper, while the motorcycle was traveling east and sustained demolition damage to its left front bumper. All occupants were restrained appropriately, with the child in a restraint and the motorcycle driver wearing a helmet. The crash highlights driver errors, specifically failure to obey traffic controls and distraction, as the primary causes of this serious collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766609 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs slammed together on Avenue J. Both drivers blew past traffic controls. A 26-year-old man took the hit, left with back pain and whiplash. Metal twisted. Signals meant nothing.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided on Avenue J at East 93 Street in Brooklyn at 7:45 PM. Both drivers disregarded traffic controls. The Ford SUV, heading south, struck the right rear quarter of the westbound GMC SUV. The 26-year-old male driver of the Ford suffered back injuries and whiplash. He was conscious, not ejected, and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Police cite 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the main cause. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no victim fault or other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762564 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A westbound SUV collided with another vehicle’s left side doors on Conklin Avenue. The SUV driver suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries, including whiplash. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as a key factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:46 on Conklin Avenue in Brooklyn. A 2016 Audi SUV traveling west struck the left side doors of another vehicle traveling north. The SUV driver, a 40-year-old man, was injured with shoulder and upper arm trauma and complained of whiplash. He was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error on the part of the SUV operator. No contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior were noted. The collision damaged the SUV’s left rear quarter panel and the other vehicle’s left front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761865 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A distracted SUV driver collided head-on with an FDNY ambulance on Remsen Avenue. Both vehicle occupants, aged 82 and 78, suffered full-body injuries and shock. The crash exposed the dangers of driver inattention amid emergency vehicle traffic.

According to the police report, at 12:20 PM on Remsen Avenue in Brooklyn, a 2000 Jeep SUV traveling east collided head-on with an FDNY ambulance traveling north. The SUV driver, an 82-year-old man, was cited for Driver Inattention/Distraction as a contributing factor. Both the driver and a 78-year-old female passenger sustained injuries to their entire bodies and experienced shock, with complaints of pain or nausea. The SUV's center front end and the ambulance's left front bumper were damaged in the impact. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report highlights driver error—specifically inattention or distraction—as the primary cause, with no contributing victim behaviors noted. This crash underscores the systemic danger posed by distracted driving, especially in the presence of emergency vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760576 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan making a left turn struck a southbound e-bike on East 80 Street in Brooklyn. The e-bike rider, a 42-year-old man, suffered a concussion and head injury. The crash was caused by the sedan driver's failure to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:15 PM on East 80 Street near Avenue J in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling north was making a left turn when it collided with a southbound e-bike. The e-bike rider, a 42-year-old man, sustained a head injury resulting in a concussion and was conscious at the scene. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor attributed to the sedan driver. The e-bike rider was wearing a helmet, but no contributing factors related to the victim were listed. The sedan's right front bumper struck the e-bike's center front end, indicating the point of impact. The driver of the sedan was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in yielding to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760329 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 38-year-old man suffered full-body injuries and shock after a sedan made a right turn and hit him at an intersection. The driver’s inattention caused the collision despite the pedestrian crossing with the signal. The vehicle showed no damage.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old male pedestrian was crossing Glenwood Road at an intersection with the signal when a 2014 Chevrolet sedan, traveling south and making a right turn, struck him. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his entire body and was in shock. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor twice, highlighting the driver’s failure to maintain focus. The vehicle’s point of impact was the center front end, but it sustained no damage. The pedestrian was not cited with any contributing factors. This collision underscores the critical danger posed by distracted driving, especially at intersections where pedestrians have the right of way.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759722 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs collided on Seaview Avenue in Brooklyn, striking each other’s front and right sides. A 13-year-old passenger suffered facial bruising and contusions. Police cited traffic control disregard and failure to yield as key driver errors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Seaview Avenue in Brooklyn at 14:13. Two northbound SUVs collided, with one striking the other's center front end and the other impacting the right side doors. The injured party was a 13-year-old female passenger in the right rear seat of one SUV. She sustained facial contusions and bruises but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors attributed to the drivers. Both drivers were licensed women operating their vehicles straight ahead at the time of impact. The collision’s damage pattern and cited driver errors highlight systemic dangers from disregard for traffic controls and yielding rules, resulting in injury to a vulnerable occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759291 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A 71-year-old woman crossing with the signal suffered abrasions and arm injuries after an e-bike struck her at a Brooklyn intersection. The e-bike’s defective brakes failed to prevent the collision, leaving the pedestrian in shock and injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:22 on Rockaway Parkway in Brooklyn. A 71-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal was struck by an e-bike traveling southbound. The report identifies 'Brakes Defective' as the contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating the e-bike’s failure to stop. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian at the center front end, causing abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The pedestrian was left in shock and sustained injury severity level 3. The e-bike had one male occupant going straight ahead before the collision. The defective brakes on the e-bike directly contributed to the crash, underscoring a critical mechanical failure rather than any fault of the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757256 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two women crossing with the signal were struck by an SUV making an improper right turn in Brooklyn. Both suffered bruises and whole-body injuries. The driver disregarded traffic control, causing a violent impact at the intersection.

According to the police report, at 18:12 in Brooklyn on Paerdegat 1 Street near East 80 Street, a 2015 SUV driven by a licensed female driver was making a right turn when it struck two female pedestrians, ages 53 and 43, who were crossing with the signal. Both pedestrians sustained contusions and bruises with injuries to their entire bodies and remained conscious. The report cites the driver's errors as 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Turning Improperly,' highlighting failure to yield to pedestrians at the intersection. The SUV's point of impact was the right front bumper, and the vehicle sustained center front end damage. The pedestrians were not at fault, crossing lawfully, but were injured due to the driver's failure to obey traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755495 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

SUV struck a parked sedan on Avenue J. The impact tore into the sedan’s rear. The sedan’s driver, 37, suffered an arm abrasion. Police cite driver distraction. Four rode in the SUV. Brooklyn street, midnight, metal and flesh.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV traveling north on Avenue J in Brooklyn collided with a parked Acura sedan just after midnight. The sedan’s 37-year-old driver was injured, suffering an abrasion to his elbow and lower arm. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No other errors or victim actions are cited. The SUV carried four occupants at the time of the crash. The sedan’s driver was conscious and restrained. The collision underscores the danger of driver distraction, especially when vehicles are stationary on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4754785 - 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 2024-09-10