A protected bike lane will soon run on Bedford Avenue, replacing paint with concrete and flex-posts. Five pedestrians died here since 2020. The new lane shields cyclists from traffic, narrows crossings for walkers, and marks a hard-won step for safety advocates.

On September 10, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced the installation of a protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue, a Vision Zero priority corridor. The project, first proposed in spring 2023, will run northbound from Dean Street to Flushing Avenue. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, "The addition of a parking-protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue will create a critical cycling link in an area where bicycle ridership is booming, while making the road safer for everyone." City Council Member Chi Oss, who criticized delays, now calls the project "a win for everyone." The plan uses concrete barriers, flex-posts, and painted pedestrian islands to shield vulnerable users. Since 2020, five pedestrians have died on this stretch. The project responds to years of advocacy and high crash rates, aiming to protect walkers and cyclists in a busy, dangerous corridor.

• Wow, The Bedford Avenue Protected Bike Lane Is Really Happening, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-10

NHTSA moves to force carmakers to protect people, not just drivers. New rules target deadly SUV fronts. Pedestrian deaths soared 75 percent since 2009. The agency wants safer hoods, fewer fatal head injuries. Change could save dozens of lives each year.

On September 10, 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposed new federal safety standards for vehicles, aiming to "reduce fatalities and serious injuries among pedestrians struck by vehicles." The rules would apply to all new passenger vehicles under 10,000 pounds, including most SUVs and light trucks. The proposal comes after a 75 percent rise in pedestrian deaths since 2009, much of it linked to the high, blocky fronts of modern vehicles. The new standard would require carmakers to design hoods and grilles to reduce the risk of serious or fatal head injuries in crashes up to 25 mph. NHTSA estimates the rule could save 67 lives per year at a cost of about $3 per vehicle. Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman said, "We have a crisis of roadway deaths, and it’s even worse among vulnerable road users like pedestrians." The move could finally force U.S. automakers to prioritize people outside the car.

• Walk this Way: Feds Finally Want Car Safety Standards to Apply to People Outside the Vehicle, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-10

A 29-year-old man walked along Van Wyck Expressway. A southbound car struck him near midnight. His head crushed, body broken, life ended in the dark. No crosswalk, no name, just the engine’s howl and a man lost.

A 29-year-old pedestrian was killed on Van Wyck Expressway near midnight, according to the police report. The report states the man was 'walking along the highway with traffic' when a southbound car struck him. The narrative details, 'His head crushed. Body broken. No crosswalk. No name. Just the dark, the engine’s howl, and a man who didn’t make it home.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The victim was not at an intersection at the time of the crash. The vehicle was traveling straight ahead, southbound. The report does not specify any driver actions or errors, but the impact left the pedestrian dead at the scene. The focus remains on the deadly interaction between car and pedestrian in a place built for speed, not for people.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4754454, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A man stepped into 7th Avenue. A bike hit him head-on. His skull struck the pavement. Blood pooled on West 56th Street. He died where he fell. The city’s rhythm broke for a moment, then traffic moved on.

A 66-year-old man was killed at the corner of 7th Avenue and West 56th Street in Manhattan when a cyclist traveling south struck him head-on, according to the police report. The incident occurred at 19:45. The report states the pedestrian was 'crossing, no signal, or crosswalk,' and was not at an intersection. The impact caused the victim’s head to hit the pavement, resulting in severe bleeding and death at the scene. The police report lists 'unspecified' as the contributing factor for both the cyclist and the pedestrian, offering no further detail on driver behavior. The narrative describes a direct collision and the fatal consequences for the pedestrian. No crosswalk or traffic signal was present at the location, but the report does not cite any cyclist error or violation. The focus remains on the deadly outcome of a vulnerable road user struck by a moving vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753645, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A red Ferrari tore down Drumgoole Road West. It hit hard, metal folding. The unlicensed driver, just twenty-nine, was ejected and died on the street. The car’s front shattered. The road, suddenly, was silent.

According to the police report, a red Ferrari convertible traveling on Drumgoole Road West near Watkins Avenue crashed violently. The sole occupant, a 29-year-old male driver, was ejected from the vehicle and killed. The report states the vehicle’s front quarter panel crumpled on impact, leaving the scene silent and grim. Police cite 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor, and note the driver was unlicensed at the time of the crash. The report lists no other vehicles or people involved. The data highlights the danger posed by excessive speed and unlicensed operation, both explicitly documented as driver errors in the official report. No mention is made of victim behavior contributing to the crash. The facts remain: speed and lack of a valid license led to deadly consequences.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752930, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Ford pickup slammed into a parked SUV on Beach 19th. The woman inside, forty-five, died in her seat. Police cite driver distraction. The truck showed no damage. The road stayed quiet, but the toll was final.

According to the police report, a Ford pickup truck struck a parked SUV near 233 Beach 19th Street in Queens at 3:45 p.m. The SUV's occupant, a 45-year-old woman, was killed in the crash. The report states, 'A Ford pickup struck a parked SUV. The woman inside, 45, wore no seatbelt. She died there, still in her seat.' Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor in the collision. The pickup truck showed no damage, while the SUV was struck on the left rear quarter panel. The woman was not ejected from the vehicle. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The deadly impact underscores the consequences of driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753464, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 66-year-old man crossed Hutchinson River Parkway at night. Four cars hit him in sequence. He died there, body broken under headlights and steel. The road offered no signal, no pause, only relentless speed and impact.

A 66-year-old pedestrian was killed on Hutchinson River Parkway after being struck by four vehicles in succession, according to the police report. The incident occurred at night, with the man crossing the dark roadway outside a crosswalk. The report states, 'Four cars struck him. One after another. Crush injuries. Whole body. No signal. No time. He died there, under headlights, beneath steel and speed.' All vehicles involved were traveling straight ahead, with points of impact listed as undercarriage, right front bumper, center front end, and left front quarter panel. Police data lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for both the crash and the pedestrian, offering no further detail on driver actions. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The sequence of impacts and the lack of a crossing signal highlight the systemic danger faced by pedestrians on high-speed parkways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752748, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A baby boy, alone in darkness, was struck and killed by an unlicensed SUV driver on the Major Deegan Expressway. The driver did not stop. The child died far from any crosswalk, crushed beneath the left front bumper.

A baby boy was killed on the Major Deegan Expressway when he was struck by the left front bumper of a 2008 Toyota SUV, according to the police report. The report states the child was crossing alone in the dark, far from any crosswalk, when the unlicensed driver hit him and did not stop. The police describe the child as suffering crush injuries to his entire body and dying at the scene. The driver’s license status is listed as 'Unlicensed' in the report, and the vehicle was traveling straight ahead. The police narrative makes clear the driver left the scene. No contributing factors are specified beyond the unlicensed status and failure to remain. The focus remains on the actions of the driver and the systemic danger posed by unlicensed, hit-and-run motorists on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752519, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 46-year-old man pedaled north on Union Avenue. An unlicensed SUV driver struck him head-on. His helmet split. Blood spread across the pavement. He was thrown from his bike. He never moved again.

According to the police report, a 46-year-old man was riding his bicycle north on Union Avenue near Lynch Street in Brooklyn when an unlicensed driver operating a 2024 Volkswagen SUV struck him head-on. The report states the crash occurred at 11:26 a.m. The cyclist, who was wearing a helmet, was ejected from his bike and suffered fatal head injuries. The police report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor. The SUV driver was unlicensed at the time of the crash. The narrative describes the immediate aftermath: 'His helmet split. Blood spread across the pavement. He was thrown from the bike. He never moved again.' The report does not cite any cyclist behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the unlicensed driver’s actions and improper lane usage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752328, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 28-year-old man riding east on Jackie Robinson Parkway was crushed and killed. A lane change ended him. His motorcycle struck head-on. He was ejected, his body broken. The road stayed still. His life did not.

A fatal crash on Jackie Robinson Parkway claimed the life of a 28-year-old man riding a FENGYUAN motorcycle, according to the police report. The collision occurred as the motorcycle, traveling east, was struck head-on during a lane change. The report states the rider was ejected and suffered crush injuries to his entire body, resulting in death. The police narrative describes the impact as sudden and violent: 'A lane change ended him. The road stayed still. His body did not.' The contributing factor listed in the police report is 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion,' with no specific driver error cited for the other vehicle. The report notes the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the description of the crash mechanics and contributing factors. The focus remains on the deadly consequences of a lane change on a high-speed parkway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752246, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 15-year-old boy drove south on Cross Island Parkway with a 19-year-old woman behind him. Both were thrown from the moped. Both struck their heads. Both died. The shattered bike lay crumpled at the right front bumper.

According to the police report, a 15-year-old boy operated a TAIZHOU moped southbound on Cross Island Parkway near 150th Street with a 19-year-old woman as his passenger. The report states both occupants were ejected from the moped and suffered fatal head injuries. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. The vehicle was found with severe damage to its right front bumper. Police records indicate the moped driver was unlicensed. Contributing factors are listed as 'Unspecified' in the report. The narrative describes the aftermath: 'The shattered bike lay crumpled at the right front bumper.' No evidence is presented in the police report regarding helmet use or other passenger actions. The data centers on the unlicensed operation and the catastrophic outcome for both vulnerable riders.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751941, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Honda, moving too fast, crashed into a Jeep’s side at 90th Avenue and 212th Street. The 64-year-old Jeep driver was crushed and died at the scene. Metal twisted, lives ended. Speed left no room for survival.

A deadly collision unfolded at the corner of 90th Avenue and 212th Street in Queens. According to the police report, a 2004 Honda sedan, traveling east, struck the left side of a 2014 Jeep SUV heading north. The impact crushed the 64-year-old Jeep driver, who died behind the wheel. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. The narrative states, 'A speeding Honda slammed into a Jeep’s side. The 64-year-old driver was crushed in the wreck. He died behind the wheel, his body bearing the full force of the crash.' The data shows the Honda’s center front end hit the Jeep’s left side doors, with severe damage to both vehicles. No other contributing factors are listed for the victim. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver speed, with the victim bearing the brunt of systemic danger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751807, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Chevy SUV tore through Myrtle Avenue, its right front bumper crushing a 63-year-old man in the crosswalk. Blood pooled on the pavement. The driver never stopped. The man died in the intersection, another life ended by driver inattention.

According to the police report, a Chevy SUV traveling east on Myrtle Avenue near Broadway struck a 63-year-old man at the intersection. The impact came from the vehicle’s right front bumper, crushing the man’s arm and causing fatal injuries. The report states the driver did not stop after the collision. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal, as noted in the report, but the primary error listed is the driver’s failure to pay attention. The man died at the scene, his blood left on the pavement. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver distraction and the systemic dangers faced by people crossing New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751938, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Ford pickup struck a 55-year-old woman head-on as she crossed Cross Bay Boulevard before dawn. She died in the street. The driver had no license. The road was quiet. Metal met flesh. The city kept moving.

According to the police report, a 55-year-old woman was crossing Cross Bay Boulevard at 3:37 a.m. when a Ford pickup truck traveling north struck her head-on. The report states the driver was unlicensed. The woman died at the scene, suffering injuries to her entire body. The report notes the pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing without a signal or crosswalk, but does not list this as a contributing factor. The police narrative underscores the quiet of the street and the absence of other traffic. The critical failure cited in the report is the driver operating the vehicle without a valid license. This systemic danger—unlicensed driving—remains a persistent threat on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751565, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A man on a Kawasaki lost control on Cross Bay Veterans Bridge. He struck hard, helmeted, and was thrown. The bridge held him. His engine cooled in the evening air. He died alone, the road silent around him.

A 35-year-old man riding a 2019 Kawasaki motorcycle was killed on the Cross Bay Veterans Bridge near Beach 94 Street. According to the police report, the motorcyclist 'lost control, struck hard, and flew.' The report states he was helmeted and was ejected from the motorcycle, suffering fatal head injuries. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors in the crash. The rider was the sole occupant, traveling northbound, and held only a permit. The report details that the motorcycle struck with its right front bumper and sustained damage to the right front quarter panel. The narrative closes with the man dying alone on the bridge, his engine cooling beside him. No other vehicles or persons were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752137, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Rep. Scanlon’s bill strikes at the heart of the SUV menace. It demands real safety standards for cars that kill. No more high marks for hulking machines that crush and blind. The bill forces automakers to face the blood on their bumpers.

On August 28, 2024, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.) introduced the Pedestrian Protection Act in Congress. The bill, now in committee, would require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to set strict vehicle safety standards that protect pedestrians and cyclists. The measure calls for benchmarks on vehicle height, hood and bumper design, and blind zone size. It also demands that federal consumer safety ratings reflect how dangerous cars are to people outside them. Scanlon said, “Just the raw statistics make a really compelling case about the incredible, exponential rise in pedestrian and bicyclist deaths.” She acknowledged automaker resistance but insisted, “clearly, we need to do something in order to improve safety.” The bill takes aim at the deadly rise of large vehicles and the federal government’s failure to protect vulnerable road users.

• This Bill Would Finally Address Huge Cars That Kill Pedestrians, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-28

A 73-year-old man lost control on the New England Thruway ramp. His SUV veered, colliding with two vehicles. Metal screamed. Airbag burst. He died at the wheel, illness tightening its grip. The ramp fell silent, marked by impact and loss.

According to the police report, a 73-year-old male driver was traveling southbound on the New England Thruway entrance ramp near East Gun Hill Road at 17:15. The report states, 'A 73-year-old man slumped at the wheel. His SUV veered. Metal struck metal. Two cars hit. Airbag burst.' The crash involved two other vehicles: a 2021 Nissan SUV making a left turn and a 2021 Acura sedan going straight. The driver died at the scene, belted in, with the report listing 'Illness' as a contributing factor. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as contributing to the crash. The sequence of events underscores the systemic danger when a driver loses control due to a medical event, resulting in a multi-vehicle collision and fatality.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750604, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A motorcycle struck a sedan turning onto a ramp on Pelham Parkway. Two young riders were ejected and killed. The bike was demolished. Unsafe speed and failure to control the motorcycle caused the deadly crash. No survivors, only shattered lives.

According to the police report, at 14:50 a motorcycle traveling west on Pelham Parkway collided with a sedan making a left turn onto the southbound New England Thruway entrance ramp. The motorcycle struck the right side doors of the sedan, demolishing the bike. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. Both motorcycle occupants, aged 17 and 20, were ejected and killed. Neither rider wore helmets, noted after the primary driver errors. The sedan, driven by a licensed male from Florida, sustained damage to its right side doors. The police report emphasizes the motorcycle driver's excessive speed and failure to yield or control the vehicle as central to the fatal outcome.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750546, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 24-year-old motorcyclist struck a dump truck’s rear on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Ejected, helmeted, crushed, he died on the asphalt. The truck rolled on. The crash left head trauma and silence under the sun.

A fatal collision unfolded on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway when a 24-year-old motorcyclist, traveling east, crashed into the back of a dump truck, according to the police report. The report states the motorcyclist was 'ejected' and suffered 'head trauma' and 'crush injuries.' He was wearing a helmet. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor in the crash. Both vehicles were moving straight ahead at the time of impact. The dump truck sustained damage to its center back end, while the motorcycle was damaged at the center front. According to the police report, the motorcyclist died at the scene. No driver errors or contributing factors are listed for the dump truck. The report details a violent, high-speed impact and its deadly aftermath.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750223, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Dodge sedan veered head-on into a southbound pickup on Henry Hudson Parkway. Steel folded. Two men in the truck died crushed. The Dodge driver held no license. The road stayed dark. Impact and error left only silence.

According to the police report, at 2:25 a.m. on Henry Hudson Parkway, a Dodge sedan veered and struck a southbound pickup truck head-on. The report states, "Steel folded. Two men inside the truck, ages 38 and 40, died crushed." The contributing factor cited is "Passing or Lane Usage Improper." The Dodge driver was unlicensed at the time of the crash, as documented in the vehicle data. The collision resulted in fatal crush injuries to both the driver and front passenger of the pickup. The police report makes no mention of any contributing actions by the victims. The report highlights the unlicensed status of the Dodge driver and improper lane usage as key factors in this deadly crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750210, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15