City Hall Stalls, Third Avenue Kills

Lawmakers and advocates climbed the city’s highest subway station. They demanded more from Governor Hochul’s MTA budget. They want six-minute off-peak trains. They reject fare hikes. They call for taxing the wealthy to fund better, faster service. Riders wait. Danger lingers.

On February 5, 2023, legislators and advocates rallied for increased MTA funding and more frequent subway service. The event, led by Assembly Members Zohran Mamdani and Robert Carroll, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Riders Alliance’s Betsy Plum, responded to Governor Hochul’s budget proposal. The matter: 'Advocates and legislators raced up the stairs...to press their case for Gov. Hochul to do more to fill the MTA's fiscal gap.' Hochul’s plan stabilizes finances but does not boost service or halt fare hikes. Mamdani and Gounardes called for six-minute off-peak trains and new taxes on the wealthy. Gounardes said, 'We all know that we need better service and we need more service.' The proposal remains under negotiation. No safety analyst has assessed the direct impact on vulnerable road users, but frequent, reliable transit is vital for their safety.

• ON THEIR MARKS: Legislators Demand More from Hochul’s MTA Budget Proposal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-05

Mayor Adams pledged $375 million for public spaces and open streets. He promised to crack down on reckless drivers and electrify for-hire vehicles by 2030. But he skipped transit upgrades, parking reform, and deeper equity. Critics called the vision incomplete.

""The ROADS Act, as mentioned by Mayor Adams today, could save hundreds of lives each year, and would be crucial in achieving Vision Zero, once and for all. I strongly support any and all efforts to crack down on reckless drivers and to keep our streets safe for all. I look forward to partnering with Mayor Adams to achieve that goal," he said." -- Andrew Gounardes

On January 26, 2023, Mayor Adams delivered his State of the City address, outlining new transportation and public space plans. The speech promised a $375-million investment in public spaces, permanent open streets, and a push for zero-emission for-hire vehicles by 2030. Adams also highlighted bills targeting reckless drivers and announced a new Director of the Public Realm. The mayor said, 'We will require the 100,000-plus high-volume for-hire vehicles to be zero-emissions by 2030.' Council Member Andrew Gounardes praised the ROADS Act, saying it 'could save hundreds of lives each year.' But advocates like Open Plans and Betsy Plum criticized the lack of action on transit equity, parking reform, and access for low-income New Yorkers. The address left out bus lane expansion, Fair Fares growth, and city fleet reduction, drawing fire for missing bold, systemic change.

• ANALYSIS: The Mayor’s State of the City: Something For Everyone (But Not Enough), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-26

Norman Fruchter, education reformer, died after a driver reversed into him at a crosswalk-less Bay Ridge intersection. The driver stayed. No charges. A vigil drew family, officials, and anger. Fruchter’s wife was killed by a reckless driver in 1997. Grief, outrage, no justice.

On January 4, 2023, Norman Fruchter was struck and killed by a reversing driver at 68th Street and Bliss Terrace in Council District 47. The intersection lacked a pedestrian crosswalk. Council Member Justin Brannan attended the vigil and tweeted, 'Confronting traffic violence also means taking personal responsibility [and] safe driving habits. It will take all of us.' The driver remained at the scene but faced no charges. Fruchter’s son Lev condemned the New York Automobile Insurance Plan for letting dangerous drivers stay insured. Community leaders, including NYC Comptroller Brad Lander and State Senator Andrew Gounardes, joined in mourning and frustration. Fruchter’s wife Rachel was also killed by a reckless driver in 1997, a tragedy that helped spark Vision Zero. Nearly three decades later, traffic laws remain weak. No systemic change. Vulnerable road users still pay the price.

• Education reform leader remembered after being killed by traffic violence, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-01-20

A sedan veered left on Atlantic Avenue. An e-scooter kept straight. Steel struck flesh. The rider flew, hit pavement, knee torn wide. Blood pooled. He lay conscious, helmeted, leg split open. The car's bumper cracked.

A sedan and an e-scooter collided on Atlantic Avenue near Council District 33. The sedan veered left while the e-scooter continued straight. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was the contributing factor. The impact threw the 34-year-old e-scooter rider to the ground, causing severe lacerations and a torn knee. The rider was ejected and remained conscious, wearing a helmet. The sedan’s left front bumper was damaged. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s driver. The crash shows the danger when drivers lose focus and veer into the path of vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4599050 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A pick-up truck hit a northbound e-bike on 29th Street near 3rd Avenue. The rider, 24, took the blow mid-lane change. Blood pooled from his head. The bike lay crushed. The truck’s front end caved. Unsafe lane changing led to harm.

A pick-up truck struck a 24-year-old e-bike rider during a lane change on 29th Street near 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. The rider suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. According to the police report, 'A pick-up truck hit a northbound e-bike mid-lane change. The rider, 24, wore no helmet. He bled from the head. His bike lay crushed. The truck’s front end folded inward.' The report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. The e-bike rider was the only person injured. The absence of a helmet is noted in the report, but unsafe lane changing by the driver was a key factor in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4596847 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate bill S 153 cracks down on bus lane violators. Owners face liability. Cameras catch drivers blocking buses. Sponsors push for stronger enforcement. Streets clear for buses, danger cut for those on foot.

Senate bill S 153, sponsored by Liz Krueger (District 28) with Andrew Gounardes (26) and Brad Hoylman-Sigal (47) as co-sponsors, is at the sponsorship stage. Introduced January 4, 2023, it 'relates to owner liability for failure of operator to comply with bus operation-related local law or regulation traffic restrictions and to the adjudication of certain parking infractions.' The bill extends a bus rapid transit demonstration program, using cameras to enforce bus lane rules. No safety analyst note was provided. The sponsors aim to hold vehicle owners accountable and keep bus lanes clear, a move that can reduce risk for pedestrians and bus riders.

• File S 153, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

On 5th Avenue, an 83-year-old woman lost consciousness while driving. Her Chevy sedan struck hard, front first. She was alone. Belted. Cut deep. Bleeding, but awake. No other people hurt. The street took the blow.

An 83-year-old woman driving a 1999 Chevy sedan south on 5th Avenue lost consciousness and crashed. According to the police report, 'An 83-year-old woman lost consciousness behind the wheel of a '99 Chevy. The sedan struck hard, front first. She was alone. Belted. Cut deep. Bleeding. Awake.' The driver suffered severe lacerations to her entire body but remained conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' and 'Brakes Defective' as contributing factors. No pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicle occupants were injured. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness, as noted after the primary causes. No other driver errors are listed in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4596558 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A BMW cut through scattered debris on the Gowanus Expressway. A man, 32, was struck near parked taxis. His legs were torn. Blood pooled on the cold asphalt. He died there, under the humming lights and steel.

A deadly crash unfolded on the Gowanus Expressway. According to the police report, a BMW changed lanes and struck a 32-year-old man near parked taxis and scattered debris. The pedestrian suffered severe leg injuries and died at the scene. Multiple occupants and drivers were also injured, including two drivers with head and back wounds. The police report lists 'Steering Failure' and 'Obstruction/Debris' as contributing factors. No driver was cited for failure to yield or speeding. The crash scene was marked by parked vehicles, debris, and chaos. The victim’s actions are not blamed. The report centers on the hazards and failures that led to this fatal impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4595159 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Tesla turned left on Tillary. Its bumper hit a woman crossing Jay. She fell hard. Blood pooled. Lacerations marked her body. She stayed conscious. The street kept moving. The car showed no damage. The woman bore the cost.

A woman, age 50, was struck and injured by a Tesla sedan making a left turn at the corner of Tillary Street and Jay Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'A woman crossed against the light. A Tesla turned left. The bumper struck her full. She dropped hard. Blood pooled. Lacerations tore her body. She stayed awake. The street did not blink.' The pedestrian suffered severe lacerations to her entire body but remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The Tesla’s left front bumper made contact, but the vehicle sustained no damage. No other driver errors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4591105 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Drivers hide plates. Cameras miss them. Streets stay dangerous. Senator Gounardes pushes a bill to pay citizens for reporting illegal plates. Police claim action, but advocates see little change. The bill sits in committee. Ghost cars keep rolling.

State Senator Andrew Gounardes introduced a bill in 2022 to reward citizens who report illegal license plates. The bill remains in committee. The measure would give whistleblowers 25% of the ticket, up to $75. The matter targets drivers who obscure or remove plates to dodge automated enforcement. As city and state agencies rely more on cameras to catch speeders and red-light runners, more drivers hide their plates. The Department of Transportation says cameras failed to ticket over 4% of violators last fall, up from 1% in 2019. Advocates accuse police of lax enforcement and even breaking the law themselves. Gounardes’s bill, still stalled, aims to close this loophole and put power in the hands of citizens. Vulnerable road users remain at risk while enforcement lags.

• Guerilla activists fight back against NYC drivers who hide license plates to evade tolls and tickets, gothamist.com, Published 2022-12-14

Police arrested Adam White for removing plastic from a hidden plate. Charges dropped. Council Member Restler pushes Int. 501: fines for blocking lanes, rewards for civilian reporting. Politicians call for accountability. Defaced plates shield reckless drivers. Streets stay dangerous.

On December 1, 2022, Brooklyn Council Member Lincoln Restler renewed his push for Int. 501, a bill to fine drivers $175 for blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, or hydrants near schools, and to reward civilians with 25% of the fine for reporting violations. The matter arose after attorney Adam White was arrested for removing plastic from an obscured license plate; charges were later dropped by Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, citing 'insufficient evidence.' The bill, discussed at a press conference, aims to crack down on license plate defacement and illegal parking, which Restler says is rampant among city workers and police. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes introduced a similar bill at the state level. Both lawmakers stress the need for public accountability and tougher enforcement to protect vulnerable road users from drivers who evade responsibility.

• Attorney Arrested for ‘Criminal Mischief’ Charge Will Sue Driver for Wrongful Arrest, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-01

Lawmakers and advocates rallied in Manhattan. They demanded more money for the MTA. They want six-minute bus and subway service. They warned against service cuts and fare hikes. They called for gas tax revenue to fund transit. Riders need safe, frequent service.

On November 17, 2022, state legislators and transit advocates pressed for increased MTA funding and six-minute off-peak service. The push comes ahead of the next budget cycle. Assembly Members Zohran Mamdani and Amanda Septimo, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher led the call. Mamdani said, 'If we implement six-minute service, the consequences would be felt for riders across all aspects of their life.' Septimo called transit an economic and racial justice issue. Gounardes urged the governor to include MTA funding in the initial budget. Gallagher criticized the gas tax holiday, urging funds go to transit. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber warned that cuts or fare hikes would devastate working- and middle-class New Yorkers. The group demanded action to protect and improve transit for all riders.

• Legislators and Advocates Press Case For MTA Rescue And Six-Minute Service, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-17

A Honda SUV crashed into a stopped Kia on Union Street. Metal twisted. A 70-year-old woman in the front seat suffered a broken back and amputation. Four others hurt. Both drivers looked away. Distraction ruled the moment. Pain followed.

A Honda SUV struck a stopped Kia sedan near 620 Union Street in Brooklyn. The impact left a 70-year-old woman in the front passenger seat with a broken back and amputation. Three other passengers and both drivers were injured, all reporting pain or back injuries. According to the police report, 'Both drivers had looked away.' The listed contributing factor for both vehicles was 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The SUV was moving straight ahead, while the sedan was stopped in traffic. The crash shows the danger when drivers lose focus, as distraction led directly to severe harm for vulnerable passengers. No other contributing factors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4581818 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan tore down Saint Marks Place. It hit parked cars. Metal screamed. The driver, a 22-year-old man, crushed his arm. Passengers were shaken. The street was left scarred, the echo of speed and steel hanging in the air.

A sedan, moving at unsafe speed, crashed into a line of parked vehicles on Saint Marks Place near 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'A speeding sedan plowed through parked cars. Metal crumpled. A 22-year-old man, unbelted, crushed his arm.' The crash left the driver with serious crush injuries to his arm. Several passengers, including adults and children, were also involved but did not report specific injuries. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. The driver was not using any safety equipment. No evidence in the report blames the victims or notes any other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580944 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A man, 38, died behind the wheel of a parked Lexus on Hicks Street. Head wound. No seatbelt. Only a child restraint. The car silent. The street colder. No other injuries reported. No contributing factors listed by police.

A 38-year-old man was found dead in the driver’s seat of a parked 2022 Lexus sedan near 509 Hicks Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the man suffered a head wound and was not wearing a seatbelt; only a child restraint was present. The report states, 'A man, 38, slumped dead behind the wheel of a parked 2022 Lexus. Head wound. No seatbelt. Only a child restraint.' No other people were injured. Police did not list any contributing factors or driver errors in the data. The vehicle’s left front bumper was damaged, but the cause is not specified. No helmet or signal issues were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580866 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An 86-year-old woman crossed Bay Ridge Parkway with the signal. A sedan turned left and hit her. Blood pooled on the street. She stayed conscious, head bleeding. The driver was distracted. The car showed no damage. The street bore the mark.

An 86-year-old woman was struck while crossing Bay Ridge Parkway at 12th Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, she was crossing with the signal when a sedan, making a left turn, hit her. She suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The report states, 'The driver was distracted.' Contributing factors listed include 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The sedan sustained no damage. The data shows the pedestrian was following the signal at the intersection. No helmet or signal use is mentioned as a factor. The crash left blood on the street, marking another day of danger for those on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575754 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan moved south on 4th Avenue. The driver was distracted. He struck a 66-year-old man in the street. The car’s front caved. The man died there, away from any crosswalk. The street fell silent. Another life ended by inattention.

A southbound sedan hit and killed a 66-year-old man on 4th Avenue, near 64th Street. According to the police report, the driver was distracted and struck the pedestrian in the roadway, away from any intersection or crosswalk. The car’s front end was crushed by the impact. The pedestrian died at the scene. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. This crash shows the lethal risk posed by driver distraction. No other contributing factors related to helmet use or signaling were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4576161 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Volvo turned right on Tillary Street. The driver looked away. A woman crossed with the light. The car struck her. Her leg broke under the bumper. The street stayed quiet. The driver failed to yield. She lay hurt on the pavement.

A Volvo sedan struck a 27-year-old woman as she crossed Tillary Street at Cadman Plaza West in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the woman walked with the signal when the car turned right and hit her, shattering her leg. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The driver, a 56-year-old man, did not report injuries. The car showed no visible damage. The woman suffered crush injuries to her lower leg and foot. She was conscious at the scene. The crash highlights the danger when drivers turn and fail to see people in the crosswalk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575251 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Councilmember Restler and Brooklyn leaders want DOT to flip Bond Street’s traffic northbound after Schermerhorn’s redesign. Locals face gridlock. Community Board 2 backs the move. They demand DOT protect the Bond Street bike lane with a physical barrier.

On October 21, 2022, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) and Brooklyn Community Board 2 requested the Department of Transportation (DOT) extend Bond Street’s northbound direction to Livingston Street. The request follows complaints after Schermerhorn Street’s redesign, which added a protected bike lane but made all crossings one-way southbound, causing gridlock and blocking access for services. The Community Board’s Transportation and Public Safety Committee, chaired by Sid Meyer, voted to support the change and insisted DOT maintain and protect the Bond Street bike lane with a physical barrier. Restler said, 'We believe that this proposal will improve traffic flow and enhance the public’s access to essential services, deliveries, and residences.' DOT is reviewing the proposal. The matter centers on the impact of traffic changes on residents and the need to safeguard vulnerable road users.

• Street relief: Downtown Brooklynites ask DOT to flip traffic on Bond Street after Schermerhorn redesign, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2022-10-21

City officials cut the ribbon on a new two-way protected bike lane on Schermerhorn Street. Cyclists now ride behind parked cars, shielded from traffic. Councilmember Lincoln Restler pushed for the overhaul after years of crashes and blocked lanes. Safety comes first.

On October 12, 2022, the Department of Transportation opened a fortified, two-way protected bike lane on Schermerhorn Street in Brooklyn’s District 33. The project, championed by Councilmember Lincoln Restler, followed years of complaints about blocked, unprotected lanes and frequent crashes. The matter, described as a 'complete transformation of the look and feel of the corridor,' converted Schermerhorn from a chaotic two-way street to a one-way with parking-protected bike lanes. Restler, who once failed to ride the stretch without leaving the lane due to illegal parking, called the redesign 'real safety in downtown Brooklyn.' DOT data shows 29 cyclists injured and one killed on this stretch since 2012. The overhaul separates cyclists from moving vehicles, reducing risk for Brooklyn’s most vulnerable road users.

• DOT cuts ribbon on newly fortified Schermerhorn Street bike lane, amny.com, Published 2022-10-12