Four Dead in About Nine Weeks. Clear the Curb, Pass the Bills.

Oct 16 - A southbound Chevy driver turned left at Woodside Ave and 37 Ave and hit a northbound cyclist going straight. She was ejected, bleeding from the face, but conscious. Police recorded driver inattention.

On Woodside Ave at 37 Ave in Queens, a southbound Chevy driver turned left into a northbound bicyclist going straight. The driver hit her. The 49-year-old rider was ejected, with severe facial bleeding, and remained conscious. According to the police report, the driver was making a left turn and the bicyclist was traveling straight ahead. The report lists “Driver Inattention/Distraction” as a contributing factor. Police recorded Driver Inattention/Distraction by the driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4850975 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-02

Oct 13 - A driver hit a 23-year-old man crossing at 60 St and Broadway in Queens. He bled from the face and was semiconscious. Police recorded Driver Inattention/Distraction.

A driver hit a 23-year-old man who was crossing at 60 St and Broadway in Queens. He was semiconscious at the scene and bleeding from the face. According to the police report, the driver was inattentive and distracted. Police recorded Driver Inattention/Distraction as the contributing factor for this crash. The pedestrian was at the intersection when the driver struck him. Vehicle type, direction, and turning movement were not recorded. The crash happened at 11:26 p.m. in the 108th Precinct. The record lists one injured pedestrian and no other injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4849674 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-02

Oct 3 - A driver in a 2009 Jeep SUV turned left at Northern Blvd and 61 St and hit a 69-year-old man in the intersection. The man suffered severe facial lacerations. Police recorded failure to yield and distraction by the driver.

A driver in a 2009 Jeep SUV made a left turn from Northern Blvd at 61 St in Queens at 7:25 p.m. and hit a 69-year-old man in the intersection. The pedestrian suffered severe lacerations to his face and was conscious at the scene. According to the police report, the driver was "Making Left Turn" at the time. Police recorded "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction" by the driver. The SUV showed no reported damage. The point of impact was the left front bumper, per the report. The crash occurred in the 108th Precinct area. The record lists the driver as licensed in New York.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4848733 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-02

Aug 14 - Council urges Albany to pass A.5440. Cameras would ticket vehicle owners for parking-rule violations. The stated aim: clear bike lanes and crosswalks, restore sight lines, and reduce drivers blocking space for people walking and cycling.

Res 1024-2025 (file Res 1024-2025) is a City Council resolution introduced August 14, 2025 and referred the same day to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It "calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the New York State Governor to sign, A.5440, which imposes owner liability for failure of an operator to comply with traffic control indicators within the city of New York." Council Member Lincoln Restler sponsored and backed the resolution; Assemblymember Steven Raga sponsors A.5440 in Albany. The bill would authorize a six-year camera enforcement pilot with owner fines and a two-year public report. Automated owner-liability enforcement should deter illegal standing and bike-lane/crosswalk blocking that forces cyclists into traffic and reduces pedestrian visibility, making streets safer.

• File Res 1024-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Res 1024-2025 urges Albany to pass A.5440. Owner-liability cameras would fine vehicle owners when cars flout posted parking rules. The measure targets illegal standing that blocks bike lanes and crosswalks, forcing cyclists into traffic and cutting pedestrian visibility.

Res 1024-2025 (File Res 1024-2025) is a Council resolution introduced August 14, 2025 and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure the same day. It “calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the New York State Governor to sign, A.5440, which imposes owner liability for failure of an operator to comply with traffic control indicators within the city of New York.” Council Member Lincoln Restler introduced the measure. Assemblymember Steven Raga sponsors A.5440 in Albany. Restler framed the bill as an owner-liability camera pilot. A safety analysis says automated owner-liability enforcement should deter illegal standing and bike-lane/crosswalk blocking that forces cyclists into traffic and reduces pedestrian visibility, and that it can scale citywide to improve safety.

• File Res 1024-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Res 1024 urges Albany to pass A.5440. Cameras would ticket vehicle owners for illegal parking. Enforcement clears bike lanes, crosswalks and corners. It restores space and visibility for people walking and biking.

Res 1024-2025 (file: Res 1024-2025) is a Council sponsorship resolution referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and entered August 14, 2025. It "calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the New York State Governor to sign, A.5440, which imposes owner liability for failure of an operator to comply with traffic control indicators within the city of New York." Council Member Lincoln Restler sponsored the resolution. A.5440, sponsored in the State Assembly by Steven Raga, would authorize a six-year DOT camera pilot and shift fines to vehicle owners. City analysts say automated owner-liability enforcement will discourage illegal parking that blocks bike lanes, crosswalks, and corners, improving visibility and space for people walking and biking and aiding transit reliability.

• File Res 1024-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 7 - The driver of a sedan made a U-turn on Woodside Ave and hit a 62-year-old motorcyclist. He suffered crush injuries to his knee and lower leg. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver.

On Woodside Avenue in Queens a sedan and a motorcycle collided when the driver of the sedan made a U-turn and the motorcycle, traveling straight, struck the sedan’s front. The motorcycle rider, a 62-year-old man, was recorded injured with crush injuries to his knee and lower leg. According to the police report, the crash involved "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." Police recorded failure to yield by the driver of the sedan. Vehicle records show center front-end damage to both the motorcycle and the sedan. The report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833478 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-02

Aug 5 - A driver in a sedan hit a moped rider on the BQE in Queens. The rider was partially ejected and suffered severe lacerations. Police recorded improper lane use in the crash.

A driver in a sedan collided with a moped rider on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway in Queens. The rider, a 25-year-old man, was partially ejected and suffered severe lacerations to his entire body. According to the police report, "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" was a contributing factor in the crash. The sedan had damage to the right-front quarter panel; the moped showed damage to the left front bumper. No other injuries were noted. The crash left the vulnerable rider hurt on a highway built for cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833118 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-02

Jun 17 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

Apr 24 - Sedan cuts left on 71st. Motorbike charges straight. Metal collides. Rider, 34, flies off, leg pouring blood. He lies on the street, awake. No helmet. Queens holds its breath.

A sedan turned left at 71st Street and 32nd Avenue in Queens, striking a motorbike traveling straight. The 34-year-old motorbike driver was ejected and suffered severe bleeding from his leg. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' contributed to the crash. The sedan's left front bumper hit the motorbike. The rider wore no helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the sedan driver. The crash left the motorbike rider conscious but bleeding, waiting for help.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807882 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-02

Mar 4 - Council eyes 150 new street cameras to ticket illegal parkers. Double parking blocks crosswalks, hydrants, bike lanes. Lawmakers say chaos endangers walkers and riders. DOT backs tech to clear streets. Delivery drivers worry. Streets stay dangerous until cars yield space.

On March 4, 2025, Assemblyman Steven Raga proposed a bill to install 150 automated cameras across New York City. The measure, discussed in the council and supported by the NYC Department of Transportation, aims to ticket drivers who double park or block critical spaces. The bill summary states: 'Double parking and curb violations aren’t just a nuisance – they’re a public safety hazard.' Raga and DOT officials argue that manual enforcement cannot keep up with rising car numbers, leaving pedestrians and cyclists at risk. Raga led the push, highlighting blocked hydrants and crosswalks as threats. DOT said automated enforcement 'helps keep streets clear, reduces congestion, and protects New Yorkers.' Delivery drivers voiced concern about work impacts, but the bill’s focus remains on clearing space for vulnerable road users. The proposal awaits further council action.

• NYC lawmaker wants 150 new street cams to ticket drivers — including double-parkers: ‘It’s a headache’, nypost.com, Published 2025-03-04

Mar 3 - Lawmakers push for cameras to ticket double parkers. Streets choke with blocked bike lanes and chaos. Manual enforcement fails. DOT backs automation. Some lawmakers resist, call for cops. Vulnerable road users left dodging danger as debate drags.

On March 3, 2025, a legislative proposal surfaced to deploy automated parking enforcement cameras across New York City. Assemblymember Steven Raga leads the push for a $35 million pilot, aiming to install 150 cameras targeting double parking and illegal stops. The bill, not yet assigned a committee or number, seeks to automate enforcement where manual efforts fall short. Raga writes, 'manual enforcement has not been able to meet the demand to combat double parking and illegal parking.' State Senator Simcha Felder of District 44 opposes the measure, arguing for traditional police summonses instead. The Department of Transportation supports the expansion, stating, 'Automated enforcement has proven to change driver behavior and make our streets safer for everyone.' The debate centers on whether automation or police presence best protects pedestrians and cyclists from blocked lanes and traffic hazards.

• New push for automated ticketing of drivers who double park in NYC, gothamist.com, Published 2025-03-03

Feb 14 - Assembly bill A 5440 targets reckless drivers. It makes car owners pay when their vehicles run red lights. Cameras catch the lawbreakers. The aim: fewer crashes, safer streets for all.

Assembly bill A 5440 was introduced on February 14, 2025, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled "Imposes owner liability for failure of an operator to comply with traffic control indicators within the city of New York," seeks to hold vehicle owners accountable when their cars violate traffic signals, using camera enforcement. Assembly Member Steven Raga sponsors the bill, joined by Rebecca Seawright, Tony Simone, Yudelka Tapia, Karines Reyes, and Marcela Mitaynes as co-sponsors. No safety analyst note is available. The bill aims to curb dangerous driving and protect vulnerable road users by making owners answer for violations caught on camera.

• File A 5440, Open States, Published 2025-02-14

Jan 16 - Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16