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

Parks Commissioner Donoghue praised the 34th Avenue open street but refused to commit. She deferred to DOT. Council Member Krishnan pushed for a linear park and more parks funding. The city’s most vulnerable wait as agencies talk.

On March 23, 2022, the City Council held a hearing on open streets and parks funding. Parks Commissioner Susan Donoghue called the 34th Avenue open street 'absolutely amazing,' but said she cannot unilaterally convert it into a linear park. She stressed the need for interagency cooperation, especially with the Department of Transportation. Council Member Shekar Krishnan, a supporter of the park conversion, said, 'We are so excited to work on transforming it into a linear park for a community that needs it so badly.' Krishnan also called for the Parks budget to be raised to 1 percent of the city budget. Donoghue made no firm commitment, repeating the administration’s focus on collaboration. Budget talks with the mayor continue. No direct safety assessment was provided.

• Parks Commish Was ‘Impressed’ By 34th Avenue Open Street, But Will Defer to DOT, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-03-23

Two SUVs collided on 79 Street in Queens. The front passenger of one SUV, a 61-year-old man, suffered a head contusion. Both vehicles showed left front quarter panel damage. The injured occupant was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on 79 Street in Queens. The crash injured a 61-year-old male front passenger, who sustained a head contusion and remained conscious. Both vehicles had damage to their left front quarter panels. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. The injured occupant was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. The crash involved parked vehicles and those making a right turn or going straight, but no failure to yield or other driver errors were noted in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4512178 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

A 35-year-old woman was hit by a northbound sedan on 69 Street near 35 Avenue. The driver was distracted and disregarded traffic control. The pedestrian suffered hip and upper leg injuries and was left in shock at the scene.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk at the intersection of 69 Street and 35 Avenue in Queens. The pedestrian was struck by a northbound 2012 Ford sedan. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front quarter panel. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors, along with disregarding traffic control. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg and was in shock following the collision. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4511353 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

Two sedans collided on 84 Street in Queens. A female passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash involved unsafe speed and aggressive driving. One vehicle was stopped in traffic. Damage was to the rear of the stopped car.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on 84 Street in Queens. The driver of the rear vehicle was traveling east and rear-ended a stopped sedan. The passenger in the stopped car, a 25-year-old female, was injured with neck pain and whiplash. The report lists unsafe speed and aggressive driving or road rage as contributing factors. The rear vehicle showed no damage, while the front vehicle sustained damage to its center back end. The injured occupant was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The driver of the rear vehicle was licensed in New York, and the front vehicle's driver was licensed in New Jersey.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4510430 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

Two sedans collided on 69 Street near Northern Boulevard in Queens. Both drivers were making left turns when the crash occurred. Two women suffered back injuries and whiplash. The impact was centered on the front and rear ends of the vehicles.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on 69 Street near Northern Boulevard in Queens. Both drivers, a 28-year-old woman and a licensed male driver, were making left turns when the crash occurred. The collision involved the center front end of one sedan and the center back end of the other. Two female occupants, both 28 years old, were injured with back injuries and complaints of whiplash. Both were restrained by lap belts and were not ejected. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor, indicating driver error. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4507551 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

Senate passed S 3897. More state cash flows to cities that build complete streets. Lawmakers push for safer roads. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at survival.

Bill S 3897 cleared the Senate committee on March 2, 2022, with a final vote on May 25, 2022. The bill, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' boosts state funding for transportation projects when cities add complete street features. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Senators including Cooney, Gallivan, Kaminsky, Kaplan, Liu, and others voted yes. The measure aims to tie state money to safer street design, pushing municipalities to build roads that protect people outside cars.

• File S 3897, Open States, Published 2022-03-02

Senate passed S 3897. More state cash flows to cities that build complete streets. Lawmakers push for safer roads. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at survival.

Bill S 3897 cleared the Senate committee on March 2, 2022, with a final vote on May 25, 2022. The bill, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' boosts state funding for transportation projects when cities add complete street features. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Senators including Cooney, Gallivan, Kaminsky, Kaplan, Liu, and others voted yes. The measure aims to tie state money to safer street design, pushing municipalities to build roads that protect people outside cars.

• File S 3897, Open States, Published 2022-03-02

Senate passed S 5130. The bill pushes complete street design. It aims for safe access for all. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at safer roads. The vote was split, but the bill moved forward.

Senate bill S 5130, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on March 2 and May 16, 2022. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Support came from members like Jeremy Cooney, Anna Kaplan, and John Liu. Dissent came from Patrick Gallivan and Susan Serino. The bill pushes cities to design roads for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It marks a shift from car-first planning. The measure aims to cut risk for people outside cars. Full vote details and text are at the New York Senate website.

• File S 5130, Open States, Published 2022-03-02

Senate passed S 5130. The bill pushes complete street design. It aims for safe access for all. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at safer roads. The vote was split, but the bill moved forward.

Senate bill S 5130, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on March 2 and May 16, 2022. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Support came from members like Jeremy Cooney, Anna Kaplan, and John Liu. Dissent came from Patrick Gallivan and Susan Serino. The bill pushes cities to design roads for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It marks a shift from car-first planning. The measure aims to cut risk for people outside cars. Full vote details and text are at the New York Senate website.

• File S 5130, Open States, Published 2022-03-02

Council members and union leaders push for free buses. They call fare enforcement a failure. Riders need faster, more reliable service. Officials cite budget woes. Advocates say free buses worked in the pandemic. The fight for safer, fairer transit rolls on.

This policy debate, discussed on February 25, 2022, centers on the push for free bus service in New York City. The matter, titled 'Is It Time For Free Buses In New York City?', highlights calls from TWU Local 100 Vice-President JP Patafio and Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas to end fare enforcement and make buses free. Patafio said, 'They should look at making local bus service free. As we saw during the pandemic, it's an essential public service.' González-Rojas argued that free buses sped up service and helped riders during the pandemic. She is working on proposals to boost MTA funding and pilot free lines. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber pushed back, citing a $2B-plus deficit and stressing the need for faster, more reliable buses. Advocates and officials agree: bus improvements and fare-free service are not mutually exclusive. The debate continues in committee, with no formal bill yet.

• Is It Time For Free Buses In New York City? Well, Yes, Of Course, But …, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-25

Mayor Adams toured 34th Avenue’s open street. He played with kids. He listened to locals. He made no promises. Council Member Krishnan pushed for a car-free park. The mayor stayed silent on funding. The street’s future remains in limbo.

On February 20, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams visited the 34th Avenue open street in Queens, a 1.5-mile stretch hailed as the 'gold standard' of open space. The visit drew Council Member Shekar Krishnan, who lobbied Adams to convert the street into a permanent, car-free linear park. Krishnan said, 'I advocated for a linear park and how transformative it would be for our city.' Despite Adams’ past support—he once signed a petition for the park—he made no commitments during the visit. Funding for the conversion and for Citi Bike expansion was left out of the Department of Transportation budget. DOT and City Hall offered no clear answers on future plans or funding. The future of 34th Avenue’s open street remains uncertain, leaving vulnerable road users waiting.

• SEE IT! Mayor Adams Visits 34th Avenue — But His Plans for ‘Gold Standard’ Open Street Remain Unclear, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-20

A 63-year-old woman was struck by an SUV while crossing 101 Street with the signal. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive. The pedestrian suffered bruises and injuries to her elbow and lower arm. The vehicle showed no damage.

According to the police report, a 63-year-old female pedestrian was injured at an intersection on 101 Street while crossing with the signal. The driver of a 2021 Nissan SUV, making a right turn, struck her with the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists driver errors as "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." The vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian was conscious and suffered a bruise but was not ejected or otherwise severely harmed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4504247 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

A 44-year-old man was injured crossing a marked crosswalk on 39 Avenue in Queens. The SUV, making a left turn, hit him with its left front bumper. The pedestrian suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. Driver inattention caused the crash.

According to the police report, a 44-year-old male pedestrian was crossing a marked crosswalk at an intersection on 39 Avenue in Queens when he was struck by a 2012 SUV making a left turn. The impact occurred at the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained a fracture and dislocation to his elbow and lower arm. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating the driver failed to notice the pedestrian. The driver was licensed and traveling north. No other contributing factors such as pedestrian error or safety equipment were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4504249 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

A 17-year-old boy crossed 37th Avenue in Queens. An SUV struck him head-on. His leg split open. Blood marked the street. The driver was distracted. The boy stayed conscious. The car showed no damage.

A 17-year-old pedestrian was struck by a westbound Toyota SUV while crossing 37th Avenue near 71st Street in Queens. According to the police report, the boy was in a marked crosswalk when the SUV hit him head-on, causing severe lacerations to his leg. The report states, 'The driver was distracted.' The crash left blood on the pavement, but the vehicle showed no damage. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The boy remained conscious after the impact. No injuries were reported for the driver or other occupants. The data does not mention any other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4500733 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

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 2022-02-01

A sedan struck a parked taxi on Astoria Boulevard in Queens. The driver, a 50-year-old woman, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. The impact hit the taxi’s center back end. No ejections occurred. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, a 50-year-old female driver in a sedan collided with a parked taxi on Astoria Boulevard in Queens. The sedan’s front center end struck the taxi’s center back end. The driver was injured with whiplash and full-body trauma but remained conscious and was not ejected. She was wearing a lap belt. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. The crash involved two sedans and a taxi, with the taxi and a second sedan parked at the time of impact. The driver’s pre-crash action was going straight ahead. The collision caused damage to the right front bumper of the sedan and the center back end of the taxi.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4496254 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

Two SUVs slammed together on 100 Street in Queens. Both drivers distracted. One woman, 47, suffered chest trauma and shock. Metal twisted at the front. Pain and nausea followed. No ejections. System failed to protect.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided on 100 Street in Queens. Both drivers were licensed women traveling straight. The crash struck the left front bumper of one SUV and the right front quarter panel of the other. Driver inattention and distraction were listed as contributing factors for both. A 47-year-old woman was injured, suffering chest trauma, shock, and complaints of pain and nausea. She wore a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. No other contributing factors or victim errors were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4496238 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

A 45-year-old male bicyclist riding south on 108 Street in Queens suffered a contusion to his elbow and lower arm. The cyclist was not ejected and wore a helmet. The crash caused no vehicle damage. The rider was left in shock.

According to the police report, a 45-year-old male bicyclist was injured while riding southbound on 108 Street near 39 Avenue in Queens. The bicyclist sustained contusions and bruises to his elbow and lower arm. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors or collisions with other vehicles. The cyclist was not ejected and was wearing a helmet, though the helmet type is noted as motorcycle only. No damage was reported to the bicycle. The incident left the rider in shock. The report does not indicate involvement of other vehicles or pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4496041 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

A concrete mixer struck a Chevy traveling west on 89th Street in Queens. The Chevy driver, a 42-year-old woman, suffered head injuries and shock. Police cited driver inattention as a key factor. The Chevy’s right front bumper was damaged.

According to the police report, a concrete mixer truck was parked facing east on 89th Street in Queens when it was struck on its right rear quarter panel by a westbound Chevy. The Chevy driver, a 42-year-old woman, was injured, sustaining head trauma and shock. She was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The concrete mixer driver was licensed and stationary before the crash. Damage to the Chevy was concentrated on the right front bumper. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4495797 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

A motorcycle struck a sedan turning left on 34 Avenue in Queens. The motorcycle driver and passenger were both ejected and seriously injured. The driver wore a helmet. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as a key factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling west on 34 Avenue collided with a sedan making a left turn northbound. The motorcycle driver, an 18-year-old male wearing a helmet, and his 18-year-old female passenger were both ejected from the motorcycle. Both suffered serious internal injuries, with the driver unconscious and the passenger conscious but injured in the abdomen and pelvis. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The sedan driver was licensed and driving northbound. The motorcycle sustained front-end damage, and the sedan was damaged on its right front quarter panel. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4495826 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15