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

A 2016 SUV struck another vehicle on Junction Boulevard in Queens. Three passengers suffered neck and head injuries. All wore seat belts. The driver was licensed. Impact hit the left front bumper. Injuries ranged from whiplash to head trauma.

According to the police report, a 2016 Toyota SUV traveling east on Junction Boulevard in Queens collided with another SUV. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the Toyota. Three passengers inside the Toyota were injured: a 43-year-old man with head injuries and semiconscious status, a 42-year-old woman with neck injuries and whiplash, and a 9-year-old girl with neck injuries and whiplash. All were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The driver was licensed and was going straight ahead before the crash. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond unspecified causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4536914 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Two sedans crashed on Queens’ 82 Street. The lead car slowed; the trailing car struck it from behind. Both drivers suffered neck injuries and shock. Driver distraction and following too closely caused the crash. Both occupants wore seat belts.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on 82 Street in Queens. The first vehicle was slowing or stopping when the second vehicle, traveling behind it, struck its center back end with its center front end. The driver of the trailing car was inattentive and following too closely, contributing to the crash. Both drivers were injured, suffering neck pain and shock. The front passenger in the lead vehicle was also injured with neck pain and shock. Both drivers and the passenger were restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. No other factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4536195 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A sedan and motorbike crashed while both made right turns on 31 Avenue in Queens. The motorbike driver, 23, suffered knee and lower leg fractures. Police cited improper lane usage and driver distraction as causes. Both vehicles hit on right front panels.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 31 Avenue in Queens involving a sedan and a motorbike, both making right turns. The motorbike driver, a 23-year-old male occupant, sustained serious injuries including fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg. The report lists driver errors including 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. Additionally, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was noted. The impact occurred at the right front quarter panels of both vehicles. The motorbike driver was conscious and not ejected. No safety equipment details were provided. The sedan driver was licensed in New York. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4536902 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A 16-year-old girl was struck by an eastbound SUV on 93 Street in Queens. She was crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The driver failed to yield and was distracted. The girl suffered hip and upper leg injuries and was in shock.

According to the police report, a 16-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on 93 Street in Queens. The vehicle involved was a 2019 Honda SUV traveling east. The point of impact was the center front end of the SUV. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her hip and upper leg and was reported in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The report lists driver errors as 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' There was no vehicle damage reported. The pedestrian was not at fault, and no safety equipment or signals were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4536903 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A sedan traveling south struck an e-scooter heading west on Astoria Boulevard. The e-scooter driver, a 19-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries and a concussion. The sedan driver fell asleep and was inattentive before impact.

According to the police report, a sedan and an e-scooter collided on Astoria Boulevard. The e-scooter driver, a 19-year-old male, was injured with knee, lower leg, and foot trauma and suffered a concussion. The report lists the sedan driver’s errors as falling asleep and driver inattention or distraction. The sedan struck the e-scooter on its left front quarter panel while both vehicles were traveling straight ahead. The e-scooter sustained damage to its center front end. The injured driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4544476 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-06-02

Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-06-01

Two sedans collided at Roosevelt Avenue in Queens. One driver suffered chest injuries. The crash happened when a sedan made a left turn on red and struck another sedan traveling west. Distraction played a key role in the crash.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old female driver was injured with chest trauma after a collision at Roosevelt Avenue, Queens. The crash involved two sedans. One vehicle was making a left turn on red when it struck the right side doors of a sedan going straight west. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and passenger distraction as contributing factors. The collision caused center front end damage to the turning vehicle and right side door damage to the other. No other injuries or violations were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4533558 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-05-31

A moving SUV hit a parked SUV on Broadway in Queens. The driver of the moving vehicle suffered a head contusion. The crash happened at 2 a.m. Driver inattention caused the collision. Both vehicles sustained damage on their right front and left rear panels.

According to the police report, a 2012 Chevrolet SUV traveling south on Broadway in Queens struck a parked 2015 Jeep SUV. The moving vehicle's right front bumper collided with the parked vehicle's left rear quarter panel. The driver of the moving SUV, a 50-year-old woman, was injured with a head contusion but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor. The parked vehicle had no occupants at the time. Both vehicles sustained damage consistent with the point of impact. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4532818 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A man on a bike hit the street hard. Blood pooled. He lay semiconscious. The bike flipped. The cause: failure to yield. Queens fell silent. The crash left pain and questions. The city moved on. The wound stayed.

A 40-year-old man riding a bike on 84th Street near 25th Avenue in Queens was ejected and severely injured. According to the police report, 'A 40-year-old man was thrown from his bike, bleeding and semiconscious. His body struck the pavement. The bike overturned. The cause: failure to yield.' The crash data lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The cyclist suffered injuries to his entire body and was left semiconscious with severe bleeding. No other vehicle damage was reported. The report does not specify helmet use or other safety equipment. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to yield, leaving vulnerable road users exposed to grave harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4533435 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A taxi driver suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries in a crash on Grand Central Parkway. The vehicle’s left front quarter panel took the impact. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved.

According to the police report, a 54-year-old male taxi driver was injured in a crash on Grand Central Parkway. The taxi, traveling west, sustained damage to its left front quarter panel. The driver, who was the sole occupant, was conscious and wore a lap belt. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any clear driver errors. The driver suffered contusions and bruises to the shoulder and upper arm. No pedestrians or other vehicles were reported as involved or injured. The crash details do not specify the cause or any traffic violations.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4532817 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

MTA pledges better access for cyclists and walkers. The agency seeks public input. Sam Schwartz Engineering will draft the plan. New bike parking appears at Grand Central. Permit rules ease on commuter trains. Advocates push for more. History shows slow progress.

""Increasing access of cyclists to MTA bridges is a matter of environmental justice, public health, and labor justice,"" -- Jessica González-Rojas

On May 27, 2022, the MTA announced a strategic action plan to improve bicycle, pedestrian, and micromobility access to its trains and facilities. This follows a state bill signed last year mandating better conditions for cyclists. The plan, still in development, aims to create 'equitable access to the transit system and support sustainable transportation modes.' MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber said, 'We want to improve customer access to our environmentally friendly MTA services, however they get to their train or bus.' Queens Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas called bridge access 'a matter of environmental justice, public health, and labor justice.' The MTA has ended bike permits on LIRR and Metro-North and added bike parking at Grand Central, but its record on bike access remains mixed. The agency is now seeking public comment and has hired Sam Schwartz Engineering to help shape the plan.

• MTA Promises to Do Better on Bike and Pedestrian Access — And Needs Your Help, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-05-27

Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-05-25

Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-05-25

Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-05-23

Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-05-23

Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-05-23

Senate and Assembly passed S 1078. New drivers must now learn how to avoid hitting people on foot or bike. Law aims to cut crashes at the root—before drivers get the keys.

Bill S 1078, introduced in the Senate on April 27, 2021, requires pedestrian and bicyclist safety instruction in the drivers pre-licensing course. The bill moved through committee and passed the Senate and Assembly, with key votes on May 20, 2021, February 1, 2022, May 16, 2022, and May 23, 2022. The matter summary reads: 'Requires instruction in pedestrian and bicyclist safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing course.' Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, joined by Bailey, Biaggi, Brisport, Cleare, Comrie, and others. The measure targets driver ignorance, a root cause of deadly crashes, by putting vulnerable road users at the center of driver education.

• File S 1078, Open States, Published 2022-05-23

Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-05-23