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

Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

Six mayoral hopefuls vow to fix New York’s crawling buses. They promise more bus lanes, tougher enforcement, and faster boarding. Each candidate slams City Hall’s slow pace. Riders wait. Cars clog the lanes. The city’s most vulnerable pay the price.

Mayoral Question 2, posed to 2025 candidates, asks how they will address New York City’s slow bus system. The candidates—Brad Lander, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, Whitney Tilson, Zellnor Myrie, and Zohran Mamdani—support more dedicated bus lanes, stronger enforcement, and faster boarding. Scott Stringer calls for 'dedicated bus lanes, more enforcement, more shelters, better curbs, more transit signal priority, all-door boarding, and more frequent off-peak services.' Ramos blasts DOT for building only 23 of 150 mandated bus miles. Myrie pledges to exceed the city’s 30-mile annual target. Lander wants immediate all-door boarding and new busways. Mamdani promises rapid expansion and free buses. Each candidate frames bus reform as urgent, with vulnerable riders suffering most from delays and car dominance. The city’s next mayor will shape the streets—and the safety of those who use them.

• Decision 2025: Mayoral Question 2 Seeks Answers on Slow Buses, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-05

Candidates faced the facts. Buses crawl. Streets choke. Each hopeful promised faster rides, more lanes, tougher enforcement. Riders wait. Streets stay clogged. No action yet. No relief for those on foot or bike. Words, not change.

On May 5, 2025, Streetsblog NYC hosted a mayoral forum focused on bus service. The event, titled 'Decision 2025: Mayoral Question 2 Seeks Answers on Slow Buses,' asked candidates how they would fix New York’s slowest-in-the-nation bus system. Brad Lander, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, Whitney Tilson, Zellnor Myrie, and Zohran Mamdani answered. They called for more bus lanes, stronger enforcement, and faster service. No council bill was introduced; this was a public policy test, not legislation. According to the safety analyst, the event discussed bus speeds but did not specify any policy action affecting pedestrians or cyclists, so no direct safety impact can be assessed. The debate showed urgency but left vulnerable road users waiting for real change.

• Decision 2025: Mayoral Question 2 Seeks Answers on Slow Buses, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-05

SUV struck moped on Northern Blvd. Teen rider ejected, hurt in leg. Police cite improper passing. Streets stay ruthless.

A station wagon SUV and a moped collided on Northern Blvd at 90th Street in Queens. The 15-year-old moped driver was ejected and suffered a leg injury. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' was a contributing factor. The SUV’s right rear bumper and the moped’s left front bumper were impacted. The SUV carried two occupants; the moped had one. No other injuries were reported. The data lists no helmet or signal issues. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to use lanes properly.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809885 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan hit a stopped e-bike on Astoria Blvd. The e-bike rider suffered a leg injury. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience. The crash left one person hurt.

A sedan traveling east on Astoria Blvd struck an e-bike that was stopped in traffic. The e-bike rider, a 39-year-old man, suffered a contusion to his lower leg. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' contributed to the crash. The sedan's front end hit the back of the e-bike. No other injuries were reported. The data lists no helmet or signal issues. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and lack experience.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810089 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV and pickup collided on 92nd Street. Alcohol played a role. A young man and a woman suffered bruises and shock. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

A pick-up truck and an SUV crashed at 37-50 92nd Street in Queens. According to the police report, alcohol involvement was a contributing factor. A 20-year-old male passenger and a 38-year-old female driver were injured, both suffering bruises and shock. The crash involved vehicles traveling straight, with impact to the left side doors and front bumpers. No pedestrians or cyclists were listed among the injured. The report highlights 'Alcohol Involvement' as the key driver error. No mention of helmet or signal use as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809883 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.

ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.

• Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-05-02

Mayoral hopefuls call for more bus lanes, protected bike lanes, and pedestrian space. They defend congestion pricing. They want fewer cars, more transit, and safer streets. Each promises to fight federal threats and push for citywide changes that put people first.

This is a candidate policy statement for the 2025 mayoral race, published May 2, 2025, by Streetsblog NYC. The questionnaire asks, 'Now that congestion pricing is operating in New York City, what should the city government do to build on its success in reducing Manhattan traffic?' Scott Stringer, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Brad Lander, and Whitney Tilson all support congestion pricing, bus rapid transit, protected bike lanes, and pedestrianization. Stringer promises a full bus network overhaul and more protected lanes. Myrie vows to defend congestion pricing from federal attacks. Ramos pushes for Bus Rapid Transit in all boroughs. Lander calls for pedestrianizing Lower Manhattan. Tilson wants dynamic pricing and expansion citywide. The candidates agree: fewer cars, more transit, safer streets for all.

• Decision 2025: Our Mayoral Questionnaire Begins … With a Question on Traffic, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-02

Streetsblog grilled mayoral hopefuls on congestion pricing. The question was sharp. Congestion pricing cuts traffic. What comes after? Candidates must answer. Streets stay deadly. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action. The city’s future hangs in the balance.

On May 2, 2025, Streetsblog NYC launched a mayoral policy debate, pressing candidates on congestion pricing. The event was not a council bill, but a public challenge. Streetsblog asked: 'Now that congestion pricing is operating in New York City, what should the city government do to build on its success in reducing Manhattan traffic?' Scott Stringer, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Brad Lander, and Whitney Tilson responded, each supporting congestion pricing and further transit investment. Streetsblog’s demand was clear—protect vulnerable road users. The safety analyst notes that congestion pricing reduces car traffic, lowers crash risk for pedestrians and cyclists, encourages mode shift, and opens the door for street redesigns that put vulnerable users first. The debate underscores urgency: congestion pricing helps, but more must be done to make streets safe for all.

• Decision 2025: Our Mayoral Questionnaire Begins … With a Question on Traffic, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-02

A motorcycle struck a sedan on Grand Central Parkway. Pavement was slick. One man suffered a leg injury. Both drivers licensed. No pedestrians involved. Danger came fast and hard.

A motorcycle and a sedan collided on Grand Central Parkway at 94th Street in Queens. According to the police report, pavement was slippery at the time of the crash. The 44-year-old motorcycle driver was injured, sustaining a contusion to his lower leg. The sedan driver, age 31, was not reported injured. Both vehicles were traveling east. The report lists 'Pavement Slippery' as the main contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The motorcycle driver wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the crash was driven by road conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809735 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Jessica Ramos wants the city to run its own subways. She says the mayor should pick the NYC Transit boss. The push follows years of state failures. Riders face delays, confusion, and a system that ignores their needs.

On May 2, 2025, State Senator Jessica Ramos, representing District 13, announced her support for New York City taking control of its subway system. The current system is run by the state through the MTA. Ramos, a mayoral candidate, said, "I would love for the mayor of the City of New York to be able to appoint the New York City Transit president or to have a greater say in what happens in the system." The announcement came as part of a broader mayoral campaign debate, with other candidates like Brad Lander proposing a city-run authority called 'Big Apple Transit.' The push for city control follows years of service failures and frustration among riders. Ramos’s stance signals a demand for local accountability and a transit system that answers to the people who use it every day. No formal bill number or committee action is attached to this policy announcement.

• Mayoral candidates renew calls for NYC to take control of its subway system, gothamist.com, Published 2025-05-02

A moped driver was ejected and injured on 75th Street in Queens. The crash left him with leg abrasions. Police list the cause as unspecified. The right side of the moped took the hit.

A 44-year-old moped driver was ejected and injured while making a right turn on 75th Street at 37th Road in Queens. According to the police report, the driver suffered abrasions to his lower leg and foot. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The moped's right side doors were damaged in the crash. The driver was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report. No other vehicles or persons were involved, and no further details on the cause were provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809886 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

An SUV hit a woman crossing 109th Street at 34th Avenue. She suffered a bruised shoulder. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield. The street stayed busy. The danger stayed real.

A 59-year-old woman was struck by a Jeep SUV while crossing 109th Street at 34th Avenue in Queens. She was in a marked crosswalk with no signal and suffered a contusion to her upper arm. According to the police report, the driver was inattentive and failed to yield the right-of-way while making a left turn. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The pedestrian remained conscious at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810099 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-04-29

A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.

NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.

• Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-27

A sedan hit an e-scooter at 89-16 37th Avenue. Two e-scooter riders were hurt. Police cite driver distraction. Metal met flesh. Shock followed. The street stayed dangerous.

A sedan collided with an e-scooter at 89-16 37th Avenue in Queens. Two people on the e-scooter, ages 44 and 18, suffered injuries to their arms and legs. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor in the crash. The sedan struck the e-scooter's front end while slowing or stopping. The e-scooter riders were not using safety equipment, but the report lists driver distraction first. No blame is placed on those injured. The system failed to protect vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807952 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 2025-08-04