Feb 27 - A truck killed Danielle Aber in a Greenpoint crosswalk. The driver had a record of speeding. Kristen Gonzalez demanded tougher laws for repeat offenders and urgent safety fixes on Nassau Avenue. Officials say policy failure and missing infrastructure left Aber exposed.

On February 27, 2024, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez responded to the death of Danielle Aber, who was struck and killed by a truck in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The driver, Stanley Manel, was charged with failure to yield and failure to exercise due care. Gonzalez, representing District 59, called for the state to pass stricter traffic laws targeting drivers with multiple school zone speed camera violations, noting Manel's history of speeding. Assembly Member Emily Gallagher joined Gonzalez, highlighting the lack of traffic calming on Nassau Avenue, where Aber was killed. Gallagher stated, 'Nothing to slow traffic on Nassau: no signal, stop sign, even a painted crosswalk.' The officials urged immediate installation of pedestrian safety measures and renewed calls for policy changes to protect vulnerable road users. The incident marks the first traffic fatality in Northern Brooklyn in 2024, underscoring systemic failures in street design and enforcement.

• Greenpoint woman dies of injuries after being hit by truck in crosswalk, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-02-27

Feb 25 - Danielle Aber died on Nassau Avenue. The driver, Stanley Manel, had 26 speed camera tickets. He faced minor charges. Officials demand action: lower speed limits, force repeat offenders to install speed controls, and redesign deadly streets. The city’s inaction kills.

On February 25, 2024, after Danielle Aber was killed by a repeat speeding driver in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, a coalition of elected officials demanded sweeping changes. The group—Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Council Member Lincoln Restler, and U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez—called for passage of two state bills: one mandating intelligent speed assistance devices for drivers with six or more speeding tickets in a year, and 'Sammy’s Law,' which would let the City Council lower speed limits. Their statement read, 'We’re calling on the New York State legislature to pass two critical bills that would lead to fewer incidents of traffic violence.' They also urged the Department of Transportation to install raised crosswalks and daylighting at intersections, and to convert Nassau and Norman avenues to one-way streets. The officials’ push highlights the deadly gap in accountability and infrastructure that leaves vulnerable road users at risk.

• Greenpoint Woman Dies from Injuries Sustained in Crash, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-02-25

Feb 23 - A Jeep SUV changed lanes and struck a moped traveling south on 31st Street in Queens. The moped driver, a 36-year-old man, was ejected and suffered abrasions and leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield as causes.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 31st Street in Queens at 3:46 p.m. A 2005 Jeep SUV, traveling south and changing lanes, collided with a 2023 Zhilo moped also traveling south. The moped driver, a 36-year-old male occupant, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors attributed to the SUV driver. The moped driver was injured but conscious. The SUV sustained damage to its right side doors, indicating the point of impact. The moped's front center end was damaged. The moped driver was not cited with any contributing factors, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4704652 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 23 - A truck hit a woman crossing Sutton Street in Greenpoint. She lies in critical condition. The driver, with a long record of violations, faces charges. Council Member Restler and others demand safer streets, calling out reckless driving and deadly intersections.

On February 23, 2024, Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) joined other officials in a public statement after a truck struck a pedestrian at Sutton Street and Nassau Avenue in Greenpoint. The incident left a 49-year-old woman in critical condition. The driver, Stanley Manel, was arrested and charged with failure to yield and failure to exercise due care. The officials' statement read: 'We’re deeply saddened and outraged at the news of yet another pedestrian being struck by an unsafe driver in Greenpoint.' Restler and colleagues highlighted the intersection's dangers and the driver's history—35 tickets since 2019, including 26 speed camera violations. They urged support for bills requiring speed control devices for repeat offenders and for Sammy’s Law, which would let NYC set its own speed limits. The group called on the Department of Transportation to install raised crosswalks and daylighting to protect pedestrians.

• Driver arrested after crash that left Greenpoint pedestrian in critical condition, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-02-23

Feb 22 - A reckless driver with a long record struck a woman in a Greenpoint crosswalk. She clings to life. Officials demand action: lower speed limits, mandate speed devices, redesign streets. The city’s system failed to stop a repeat offender. Streets remain deadly.

On February 22, 2024, a woman was struck and critically injured by Stanley Manel, a driver with 26 prior speed camera violations, at Sutton Street and Nassau Avenue in Greenpoint. Manel was charged with failure to yield and failure to exercise due care. Nassau Avenue, a two-way street used by cyclists, lacks protective infrastructure. Following the crash, Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Council Member Lincoln Restler, and U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez called for passage of two state bills: one requiring repeat speeding offenders to install intelligent speed assistance devices, and Sammy's Law, which would let the City Council lower speed limits. They also urged the Department of Transportation to install raised crosswalks and daylighting at intersections. Their statement reads: “Lowering the speed limit and enforcing real accountability for dangerous drivers are urgent steps we must take to protect New Yorkers.”

• Serious Crash in Greenpoint Again Reveals Flaws in City Design, Enforcement Against Reckless Drivers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-02-22

Feb 14 - A moped driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a collision with an SUV in Queens. The crash occurred at night when the moped struck the SUV’s left front bumper. Police cite traffic control disregard and driver distraction as causes.

According to the police report, the crash happened at 10:11 PM on 35 Street near 31 Avenue in Queens. A 39-year-old male moped driver was ejected and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The moped collided with the left front bumper of a northbound SUV. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The moped driver was wearing a helmet and held a permit license. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The impact occurred at the center front end of the moped and the left front bumper of the SUV. The report highlights driver errors, specifically failure to obey traffic controls and distraction, as key causes of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4702921 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - 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 2024-02-13

Feb 13 - 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 2024-02-13

Feb 9 - Legislators blasted Mayor Adams for failing bus riders. They unveiled a $90-million plan to boost bus service. Adams faces accusations of incompetence and ignoring the law. Bus speeds drop. Riders wait. The mayor stalls. Streets stay dangerous for those outside cars.

On February 9, 2024, at a legislative press conference, State Sen. Mike Gianaris and Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani announced a $90-million proposal to expand bus service and the MTA's free bus pilot. The event, covered by Streetsblog NYC, became a public reckoning for Mayor Adams's transportation record. The matter: 'a proposal in Albany to increase bus service before congestion pricing begins.' Mamdani accused Adams of 'incompetence' and violating the Streets Master Plan law, which requires 30 miles of new bus lanes each year. Reporters pressed for answers on mayoral compliance. MTA CEO Janno Lieber praised Adams's past promises but noted the lack of progress. The mayor's spokesperson defended the administration, but data shows bus speeds have dropped since Adams took office. No safety analyst has formally assessed the impact, but the lack of bus lanes leaves vulnerable road users exposed to traffic danger and slow, unreliable transit.

• Pressure Mounts on ‘Incompetent’ Mayor Adams To Build Some Freakin’ Bus Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-02-09

Feb 8 - Council moves to force brighter sidewalks. Bill orders 500 corridors lit each year. Shadows shrink. Pedestrians gain ground. Committee holds the bill. Streets wait.

Int 0079-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 8, 2024. The bill demands the city install pedestrian lighting in at least 500 commercial corridors per year, aiming for a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) on every sidewalk. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installation of pedestrian lighting fixtures.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Krishnan, Bottcher, and others. The committee has not yet voted. The bill’s text sets clear targets for coverage and contiguity, but action is stalled. Vulnerable road users remain in the dark until the city acts.

• File Int 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

Feb 8 - Lawmakers want $90 million for more buses as congestion pricing nears. Gianaris and Mamdani lead the charge. Critics say it’s late. Riders on free bus lines surged. The plan faces union warnings and legal threats. Streets wait for relief.

On February 8, 2024, State Senator Michael Gianaris and Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani called for $90 million to expand MTA bus service before the $15 congestion pricing toll begins. Their proposal seeks $45 million in this year’s budget to boost bus frequency, with another $45 million to triple free buses citywide. The lawmakers’ push follows a successful fare-free pilot, which Mamdani says increased ridership by over 20%. Gianaris admitted, 'It should have been done sooner.' Critics argue the move is too late, as congestion pricing was approved in 2019. Some unions warn of possible driver shortages, but Mamdani insists existing buses and operators can handle the expansion. The funding proposal comes as the congestion toll faces lawsuits and could launch by mid-June. No formal safety analysis was provided for vulnerable road users.

• NY lawmakers ripped over push for $90M bus service expansion as $15 congestion pricing looms: ‘Covering their a—s’, nypost.com, Published 2024-02-08

Feb 6 - Mayor Adams boasted of bus lane progress. The numbers tell a different story. His administration missed legal targets two years running. Bus speeds fell. Promised projects stalled or died. Riders wait. Streets stay dangerous. Words do not move buses.

On February 6, 2024, Mayor Eric Adams declared his administration had done an 'amazing job' building bus lanes in New York City. In reality, Adams missed legal targets: only 12.9 miles built in 2022 out of 20 required, and 13.3 miles in 2023 out of 30. Bus speeds dropped from 7.7 mph in January 2022 to 7.4 mph in December 2023. Adams claimed his approach was 'revolutionary' for prioritizing community input. Critics, including Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani and Riders Alliance spokesman Danny Pearlstein, countered that Adams canceled or stalled key projects like Fordham Road, despite strong community support. Mamdani said, 'he's made 1.4 million daily bus riders take the slowest buses in the country.' The mayor’s promises remain unmet. Bus riders and pedestrians still wait for safer, faster streets.

• ‘We’ve Done An Amazing Job Building Bus Lanes,’ Says Mayor Who Keeps Killing Bus Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-02-06

Feb 6 - Mayor Adams boasts of bus lane progress. The numbers tell another story. Promised miles not built. Bus speeds drop. Riders stranded. Assembly Member Mamdani calls out broken promises. The city stalls. Streets stay dangerous for those outside cars.

On February 6, 2024, Mayor Adams declared his administration had done an 'amazing job' building bus lanes. The facts cut through the claim. In 2022, only 12.9 miles of bus lanes were built out of a required 20. In 2023, just 13.3 miles out of a required 30. The Department of Transportation missed legal targets both years. The matter, as reported, states: 'Mayor Adams claimed... his administration has done an "amazing job" building bus lanes... despite missing legally required targets.' Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, representing District 36, slammed the mayor for scrapping key projects and failing bus riders. Mamdani said, '49 percent of bus riders are dissatisfied with wait times... instead he's made 1.4 million daily bus riders take the slowest buses in the country.' Riders Alliance joined the criticism, demanding a real plan for the 130 miles of overdue bus lanes. The city’s inaction leaves vulnerable road users exposed, with no clear agenda for safer, faster streets.

• We've Done An Amazing Job Building Bus Lanes,' Says Mayor Who Keeps Killing Bus Lanes, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-02-06

Feb 1 - A motorcycle driver suffered upper arm injuries and shock after an SUV changed lanes unsafely in Queens. The collision caused center-end damage to both vehicles. The SUV driver, licensed and traveling north, struck the motorcycle head-on.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:33 in Queens near Steinway Street. The collision involved a 2018 SUV and a 2021 motorcycle, both traveling north. The SUV driver made an unsafe lane change, which led to the crash. The motorcycle's front center impacted the SUV's center back end. The motorcycle driver, a 45-year-old male, sustained upper arm injuries with minor bleeding and was in shock. He was not ejected and was wearing no safety equipment. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead before the collision. The report identifies 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor, emphasizing driver error without attributing fault to the injured motorcycle operator.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699940 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 30 - 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 2024-01-30

Jan 29 - A moped rider was injured after an SUV struck the right side of the vehicle on 34 Avenue. The collision ejected the 25-year-old driver, causing abrasions and lower leg injuries. Police cited failure to yield as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:45 on 34 Avenue involving a northbound SUV and an eastbound moped. The SUV's center front end impacted the right side doors of the moped. The moped driver, a 25-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error on the part of the SUV operator. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead prior to the collision. The moped rider was conscious after the crash but suffered moderate injury severity. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699153 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 29 - A sedan backing north on 34 Street struck a 6-year-old girl crossing with the signal. She suffered a facial bruise but stayed conscious. The car showed no damage. Unsafe backing put a child in harm’s way.

According to the police report, a sedan was backing unsafely northbound on 34 Street at 7:55 AM when it struck a 6-year-old girl who was crossing with the signal at an intersection. The child suffered a contusion to her face and remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Backing Unsafely' as the primary contributing factor. The sedan showed no visible damage despite the impact at its center back end. No other driver errors or victim actions were cited. This crash underscores the risk of vehicles reversing where children and other pedestrians are legally crossing.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4698867 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 24 - Pickup truck rear-ended SUV on 34 Street in Queens. SUV passenger suffered back injury and whiplash. Both vehicles moved east. Impact crushed SUV’s rear. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

According to the police report, a pickup truck struck the rear of an SUV on 34 Street near Astoria Boulevard in Queens. The SUV carried two people. A 41-year-old male passenger in the middle front seat suffered back injuries and whiplash. He was conscious and belted. The report lists unspecified contributing factors. Both vehicles traveled straight. The pickup truck’s front end hit the SUV’s rear, causing injury. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The data points to driver error by the pickup truck operator, who failed to maintain a safe following distance. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4697730 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 19 - SUV plowed into a man crossing with the signal. The driver ignored traffic controls. The pedestrian took the hit head-on. He walked away bruised, arm battered, but alive.

According to the police report, a 2012 Ford SUV traveling north on 31 Street struck a 30-year-old male pedestrian at 30 Avenue in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the SUV hit him with its center front end. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors, both driver errors. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was conscious after the crash. The report notes no contributing factors from the pedestrian, who followed the signal. The driver’s disregard for traffic control and failure to yield led directly to the injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4696477 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 6 - A Jeep SUV slammed head-on into a traffic control device in Queens. Alcohol was involved. The driver, alone, suffered head injuries and lost consciousness. No other people were hurt.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old man driving a 2019 Jeep SUV in Queens struck a traffic control device at 25-92 31 Street at 5:17 AM. The driver was alone and licensed in Pennsylvania. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The impact caused head injuries and unconsciousness. No other occupants or road users were involved. The crash underscores the risk when drivers ignore traffic controls and operate vehicles while impaired.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4693305 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19