Red Lights, Broken Lives: Queens Streets Are Killing Our Kids

Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-02-28

Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-02-28

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 2023-02-28

A driver turned left on 35 Avenue and struck a 55-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She suffered fractures and dislocations to her leg and foot. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience.

According to the police report, a 55-year-old female pedestrian was crossing 35 Avenue at 77 Street in Queens with the signal when a vehicle making a left turn struck her with its center front end. She sustained fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and driver inexperience as contributing factors. The vehicle was traveling northeast and showed no damage. No other contributing factors, such as helmet use or signaling, were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4614447 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A 19-year-old male driver suffered internal injuries to his abdomen and pelvis in a Queens crash. Two sedans collided near 81 Street. The driver was conscious and restrained. The crash involved a defective accelerator, causing serious harm.

According to the police report, a collision occurred in Queens near 81 Street involving multiple sedans. The 19-year-old male driver was injured with internal trauma to his abdomen and pelvis but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists a defective accelerator as a contributing factor to the crash. The impact damaged the right rear quarter panel of one vehicle and the center back end of another. No other driver errors were specified. The driver was not ejected and no other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4608725 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

SUV hit a 45-year-old woman crossing Junction Boulevard with the signal. She suffered fractured leg and foot. Driver was distracted. The impact came from the left front bumper. She stayed conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, a 45-year-old woman was crossing Junction Boulevard with the signal when a westbound SUV struck her with its left front bumper. She suffered fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The pedestrian remained conscious after the collision and was not ejected from the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4608737 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Assembly Bill 4637 would use cameras to keep cars out of bike lanes. The bill targets drivers who block protected lanes. Sponsors say it will protect cyclists from deadly crashes.

Assembly Bill A 4637, now in the sponsorship stage, aims to create a bicycle lane safety program in New York City. The bill, introduced on February 21, 2023, enforces restrictions on protected bike lanes using photo devices. The matter title reads: 'Establishes in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani leads as primary sponsor, joined by Brian Cunningham, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Harvey Epstein, Amy Paulin, and others. The bill targets drivers who endanger cyclists by blocking protected lanes. No safety analyst note is available.

• File A 4637, Open States, Published 2023-02-21

Lawmakers push two bills. One widens legal cargo bikes. One reins in dirty warehouses. Both target truck traffic choking city streets. Sponsors say the measures will cut pollution, asthma, and danger for people outside cars. Albany momentum grows.

Bills S6106 (Sen. Jessica Ramos) and A6968 (Asm. Marcela Mitaynes) are active in the New York State legislature. S6106 would expand the legal width of cargo bikes from 36 to 48 inches, making them more useful for deliveries. A6968 would let the Department of Environmental Conservation regulate emissions from last-mile warehouses and require plans to cut transportation pollution, including by using zero-emission vehicles like cargo bikes. The matter summary notes, 'The bills complement each other.' Ramos and Mitaynes sponsor the measures. Their staff and advocates say the bills will help replace polluting vans with cleaner cargo bikes, especially in low-income areas hit hard by asthma. Both bills are gaining support in Albany.

• V-DAY SPECIAL: Bigger Cargo Bikes and Last-Mile Warehouse Regulation is a Match Made In Heaven, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-14

A motorcycle struck the right rear quarter panel of an SUV making a left turn on 94 Street in Queens. The 22-year-old motorcyclist suffered a head injury and concussion. Both drivers were distracted at the time of collision.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old male motorcyclist wearing a helmet was injured when his motorcycle collided with the right rear quarter panel of a southbound SUV making a left turn on 94 Street in Queens. The motorcyclist sustained a head injury and concussion but was conscious and not ejected. Both drivers were cited for driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The motorcycle was traveling eastbound going straight ahead, while the SUV was turning left. The impact occurred at the center front end of the motorcycle and the right rear quarter panel of the SUV. The report does not list any victim errors or other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4605516 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

A 19-year-old male motorcyclist was ejected after colliding with a vehicle’s right side doors on 111 Street near 34 Avenue. He suffered a head contusion and bruises. The crash happened late at night. Unsafe speed was a factor.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling east on 111 Street struck the right side doors of a vehicle traveling north near 34 Avenue in Queens. The 19-year-old male driver of the motorcycle was ejected and sustained a head injury classified as a contusion and bruises. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. The motorcyclist was not wearing any safety equipment at the time. The vehicle involved had damage to its center front end. No other occupants were reported injured. The crash occurred at 11:56 p.m. The report does not specify the type of the second vehicle but notes it was going straight ahead when struck.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4604959 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

MTA Chair Janno Lieber told lawmakers the agency needs $350 million yearly to avoid fare hikes. Legislators pushed back. They called for taxing the wealthy, not straphangers. The fight centers on who pays for transit. Riders wait. The stakes are high.

On February 6, 2023, during a legislative hearing on MTA funding and fare policy, MTA Chair Janno Lieber testified that the agency needs $350 million more each year to prevent subway and bus fare hikes. The hearing, part of the state budget process, saw Lieber defend Governor Hochul’s proposed 5.5-percent fare increase as a return to regular hikes paused during the pandemic. Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani and colleagues pushed the 'Fix the MTA' package to freeze fares, boost service, and make buses free. Mamdani argued, 'It is simply not acceptable to put the cost of a basic public good on the backs of working class New Yorkers.' Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris criticized Lieber for insisting on fare hikes while dismissing other budget solutions. Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas opposed making her constituents pay more. Lieber expressed concern about free buses, preferring targeted affordability programs. The hearing highlighted a sharp divide: lawmakers want to protect riders; the MTA wants stable funding. No direct safety impact for vulnerable road users was assessed.

• MTA Could Nix Fare Hikes with Just $350M More Per Year, Lieber Says, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-06

SUV slammed into stopped sedan on 100 Street. Passenger, a 28-year-old woman, suffered head injury and shock. Police cited alcohol involvement. Impact struck sedan’s rear, SUV’s front.

According to the police report, a southbound SUV rear-ended a stopped sedan on 32-52 100 Street in Queens. The sedan’s front passenger, a 28-year-old woman, was injured with a head contusion and shock. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor. The SUV’s driver failed to maintain attention, causing the crash. The sedan was stopped in traffic when struck from behind. The impact damaged the SUV’s front and the sedan’s rear. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The injured passenger was wearing a lap belt and harness.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4603211 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

An e-bike rider collided head-on with an SUV on Junction Boulevard in Queens. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited the SUV driver for disregarding traffic control. The rider was unlicensed and unhelmeted but not ejected.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Junction Boulevard in Queens between an e-bike and a 2022 Kia SUV. The e-bike rider, a 42-year-old man, sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to obey traffic signals or signs. The e-bike rider was unlicensed and not wearing safety equipment. Both vehicles struck each other at their front centers while traveling in opposite directions. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected from his vehicle. The police report does not assign any contributing factors to the cyclist beyond unspecified causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4610186 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Two sedans crashed head-on at 95 Street and 23 Avenue in Queens. Both drivers were male and licensed. One driver suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries, reporting pain and nausea. The crash was caused by driver inattention and distraction.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on 95 Street near 23 Avenue in Queens. Both drivers were male and licensed, traveling straight ahead in perpendicular directions when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the center front end of one vehicle and the right front bumper of the other. One driver, age 38, was injured with shoulder and upper arm trauma and experienced shock, pain, and nausea. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. Both drivers were restrained by lap belts and were not ejected from their vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4602932 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

SUV slammed into stopped SUV on Northern Boulevard. Two men inside struck vehicle suffered neck and back bruises. Police cite driver inattention. Both victims conscious. Metal crumpled. No ejections.

According to the police report, a westbound SUV rear-ended another SUV stopped in traffic on Northern Boulevard in Queens. The 51-year-old male driver and his 55-year-old male passenger in the struck vehicle suffered contusions to the back and neck. Both were conscious and restrained. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The striking SUV, driven by a licensed woman, hit the center rear of the stopped car. Both vehicles sustained damage at the point of impact. No one was ejected. The injuries were moderate, with no loss of consciousness.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4603216 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A 19-year-old man was struck while crossing Northern Boulevard at 107 Street in Queens. He suffered bruises and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The pedestrian was conscious and crossing with the signal at the time of impact.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Northern Boulevard at the intersection with 107 Street in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. He sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and remained conscious after the crash. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors. The vehicle involved is unspecified, and no details about the driver or vehicle type are provided. The pedestrian was not ejected and no safety equipment or additional contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4602924 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Assembly bill A 3180 demands complete street design on state and federally funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. The bill calls for public guidance. Streets must serve people, not just cars.

Assembly Bill A 3180 was introduced on February 2, 2023, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force planners to think of people first. Didi Barrett leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rebecca Seawright, Amy Paulin, and others. The bill also orders the department to publish street design guidance. No safety analyst note is available, but the bill’s intent is clear: streets must protect all users, not just drivers.

• File A 3180, Open States, Published 2023-02-02