Thirteen Dead. Thousands Hurt. Queens Streets Still Bleed.

Reinvent Albany blasted a bill to exempt NYPD officers from Manhattan congestion tolls. The group called it unfair, a $22 million giveaway to a powerful few. They warned it would drain funds, raise tolls, and reward special interests over public safety.

On January 16, 2025, Reinvent Albany, a good government watchdog, issued a statement opposing a bill from Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato and Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton. The bill seeks to exempt NYPD officers, even off-duty, from paying congestion pricing tolls in Manhattan’s central business district. Reinvent Albany called the measure 'contrary to notions of basic fairness' and a '$22 million handout' to a special interest. The Traffic Mobility Review Board had already rejected such exemptions. The group warned that multiple exemption bills could cost the public $100 million yearly and force higher tolls for everyone else. Neither Pheffer Amato nor Scarcella-Spanton commented. The watchdog urged lawmakers to serve the many, not the powerful few.

• Watchdog Group: No Congestion Pricing Toll Exemptions for Cops!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-16

MTA claims fewer cars and faster buses after congestion pricing. Councilwoman Joann Ariola calls the numbers fake. Critics say January is slow anyway. Some streets clear, others jammed. The toll divides the city. Vulnerable road users watch from the curb.

On January 13, 2025, Councilwoman Joann Ariola (District 32) publicly challenged the MTA’s first-week report on New York City’s congestion pricing plan. The MTA claimed, 'There is less traffic and quicker streets,' citing a 16% drop in Midtown traffic and faster bus times. Ariola dismissed the data as 'fugazi.' The plan, imposed by the state, began January 5 with a $9 toll per car. Critics, including Ariola, Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, questioned the numbers and economic impact. Susan Lee of New Yorkers Against Congestion Taxes noted, 'January is usually the slowest month,' and warned that some areas saw more congestion as drivers dodged tolls. The council’s debate highlights deep skepticism about the plan’s real effect on city streets and the daily safety of those outside cars.

• MTA touts success of first week of NYC congestion pricing plan — but do their numbers back up claims?, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-13

A 51-year-old male driver suffered severe injuries after his SUV collided with two parked vehicles on 121st Street in Queens. Steering failure and defective brakes caused the crash, striking the right front bumper and damaging both parked cars.

According to the police report, at 21:50 in Queens, a 51-year-old male driver operating a 2021 Chevrolet SUV traveling south on 121st Street experienced a steering failure and defective brakes. These mechanical failures led to the SUV colliding with two parked vehicles, a sedan and another SUV, impacting the right front bumper of the moving vehicle and damaging the left rear quarter panel and center back end of the parked cars. The driver was injured with internal complaints affecting his entire body but was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report explicitly cites 'Steering Failure' and 'Brakes Defective' as contributing factors, highlighting vehicle control loss as the cause. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behavior contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785382 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Three sedans crashed on Belt Parkway at night. Unsafe speed sent metal slamming into metal. A 17-year-old girl in the back seat took the worst of it. Neck pain. Whiplash. The road showed no mercy.

According to the police report, three sedans collided on Belt Parkway at 9:28 PM. One driver was changing lanes. Another was struck on the left side doors. The report lists "Unsafe Speed" as a contributing factor. A 17-year-old female passenger in the left rear seat suffered neck injuries and whiplash. She wore a lap belt. The crash left her hurt. Driver errors—unsafe speed and lane changes—caused the violent impact that injured the teen.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785381 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 49-year-old man suffered whole-body injuries and shock after a van hit him at a marked crosswalk on Rockaway Boulevard. The impact came from the van’s left front bumper as it traveled southbound. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal.

According to the police report, a van traveling south on Rockaway Boulevard struck a 49-year-old male pedestrian at a marked crosswalk. The point of impact was the van’s left front bumper, causing injuries to the pedestrian’s entire body and leaving him in shock with minor bleeding. The pedestrian was crossing the street without a crossing signal. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not cite any driver errors explicitly. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead. The collision highlights the dangers pedestrians face even at marked crosswalks when vehicle movements intersect with pedestrian paths.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784614 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly crossings for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, forces the Department of Transportation to install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. The bill, sponsored by Farah N. Louis (primary) and co-sponsored by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, Ariola, and others, passed on March 15, 2025. The law demands annual reporting on compliance and reasons for any delay. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Quick, visible lines cut confusion and protect people crossing or riding. The law took effect immediately.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-08

Five days. Five attacks. Blood on the subway rails. Cops, National Guard, Guardian Angels—none stopped the violence. Council members blast failed safety plans. Riders pay the price. City Hall promises change. Riders wait. Danger rides the rails.

On January 2, 2025, Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (District 48) joined other city officials responding to a spike in subway violence. The event, covered by nypost.com, details five consecutive days of stabbings, slashings, and a fatal arson, despite increased NYPD, National Guard, and Guardian Angels patrols. The matter summary reads: 'NYC subways have experienced five consecutive days of violent attacks, including stabbings, slashings, and a fatal arson, despite increased patrols.' Council members Joann Ariola, Robert Holden, and Joe Borelli criticized current safety measures and leadership, calling for stronger action. Mayor Eric Adams backed more police and mental health interventions, while Governor Hochul's National Guard deployment drew fire. City Hall pledged to work with Albany on the Supportive Interventions Act. No direct safety analyst assessment was provided for vulnerable road users.

• NYC subways have seen attacks for 5 days in a row — despite cops, National Guard and even the Guardian Angels on patrol, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-02

New York rolls out sweeping traffic laws for 2025. Charter bus seatbelts, lower speed limits, and congestion pricing hit the streets. Senator Sanders and Governor Hochul push for safer roads. School zones, bridges, and bus riders see new protections. Change comes fast.

On December 31, 2024, New York announced new transportation laws for 2025. Senator James Sanders sponsored a ban on car lease turn-in fees, stating, "The legislation prohibits charging a turn-in fee at the expiration of the term of a vehicle lease, the basis of which is solely for administrative, handling or clerical charges." Governor Kathy Hochul signed this and other safety bills into law. Charter bus passengers ages 8 to 16 must now wear seatbelts, a response to a fatal crash in Orange County. Sammy's Law, enacted in 2024, lets the city lower speed limits to 20 mph, and even 10 mph on redesigned streets. The Department of Transportation will target 250 locations, focusing on school zones. The MTA launches congestion pricing in Manhattan, with funds set for transit upgrades. Hochul said, "These enhancements to our roads and bridges will improve mobility for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists alike."

• These are new traffic laws in New York slated for 2025, amny.com, Published 2024-12-31

Metal shrieked on Lefferts Boulevard. A taxi and sedan collided, crushing a woman and breaking a baby’s legs. Both were off the roadway. The drivers missed the signs. One woman dead. One child maimed. The city’s danger, laid bare.

A deadly crash unfolded on Lefferts Boulevard near 115th Avenue in Queens when a taxi and a sedan collided, according to the police report. The impact killed a 51-year-old woman and left a baby boy with broken legs. Both victims were pedestrians and, as the report states, 'not in the roadway' at the time of the crash. The police report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors for both drivers. The narrative underscores that 'the drivers missed the signs,' highlighting systemic failures in driver compliance with traffic controls. The collision’s violence—'metal screamed'—left one woman dead from crush injuries and a child with severe leg trauma. The report does not list any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on driver error and the lethal consequences for those outside the vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782691 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans smashed on Liberty Avenue. A 24-year-old driver’s leg shattered. Police cite alcohol and vehicle errors. Metal twisted. One man hurt. Streets stayed silent. No one walked away clean.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Liberty Avenue in Queens at 3:45 AM. The 24-year-old male driver suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg. Police list 'Alcohol Involvement' and multiple 'Other Vehicular' factors as contributing causes, pointing to driver errors. The injured driver was conscious and not ejected. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report does not mention any victim behavior as a factor. The crash left one driver with serious leg injuries, underscoring the danger of driver actions behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781678 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 51-year-old woman suffered a concussion and arm injuries when a sedan made a left turn and struck her at an intersection. The driver’s improper lane usage caused the collision despite the pedestrian crossing with the signal.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on 131 Street near Liberty Avenue in Queens struck a 51-year-old female pedestrian at 7:24 p.m. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the collision occurred. The driver was making a left turn and impacted the pedestrian with the center front end of the vehicle. The report cites "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the contributing factor to the crash, indicating driver error in lane management during the turn. The pedestrian sustained a concussion and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand but remained conscious. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report does not attribute any contributing factors to the pedestrian’s actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781054 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A city bus swung left on Lefferts. Steel met flesh. A woman, sixty-four, crossing with the light, was struck and crushed. She stayed conscious as the signal blinked. The street swallowed her pain. The driver failed to yield.

At the corner of Lefferts Boulevard and 133rd Avenue in Queens, a bus making a left turn struck a 64-year-old woman who was crossing with the signal. According to the police report, 'A bus turned left. A 64-year-old woman walked with the light. The bumper struck her full. Her body crushed. She stayed awake.' The crash occurred at 18:28. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The woman suffered crush injuries to her entire body but remained conscious at the scene. The impact point was the bus’s left front bumper. The pedestrian’s actions—crossing with the signal—are noted in the report, but the driver’s failure to yield is the primary factor cited by police. No contributing behaviors are attributed to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780180 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council bill Intro 103 forces DOT to notify members for every parking change. Critics say it slows life-saving street redesigns. Advocates warn it props up car culture and blocks safer bike lanes. The bill risks more sidewalk riding and fewer safe crossings.

Intro 103, now before the City Council, would require the Department of Transportation to notify Council members every time a single parking spot is repurposed—for car-share, bike corrals, or Citi Bike docks. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Joann Ariola, claims residents need notice before losing parking. But DOT and street safety advocates slam the measure as a bureaucratic drag on urgent safety fixes. Council Member Lincoln Restler calls it 'additional hoops and hurdles' for street safety. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso says, 'I don’t know why we entertain any effort to stop or slow-roll safe street design.' Open Plans and StreetsPAC argue the bill props up car dominance and blocks safer, more sustainable streets. The bill could make it harder to move bike infrastructure off sidewalks, risking more sidewalk riding and fewer safe crossings for pedestrians. Similar bills (Intro 606, Intro 104) face the same criticism.

• Council Members Want To Be Notified When City Repurposes ‘Their’ Parking, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-18

A southbound SUV struck the rear of a slowing sedan on 109 Avenue. Both drivers suffered injuries including back and leg trauma. Police cited following too closely and reaction to uninvolved vehicle as key factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 109 Avenue involving a 2022 Honda SUV and a 2017 Hyundai sedan, both traveling south. The SUV driver, a 22-year-old male with a permit license, was following too closely and struck the sedan's center back end as it was slowing or stopping. The sedan driver, a 26-year-old female licensed driver, was also slowing or stopping but had to react to an uninvolved vehicle, contributing to the collision. Both drivers were injured: the SUV driver suffered back injuries and whiplash, while the sedan driver sustained contusions to the knee and lower leg. Neither occupant was ejected, and both remained conscious. The report highlights driver errors including following too closely and reaction to uninvolved vehicle as the primary causes, with no contributing victim behaviors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779556 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An 11-year-old girl suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan struck her at an intersection. The driver failed to yield and was driving at unsafe speed. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal when the collision occurred.

According to the police report, an 11-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 109 Avenue and 127 Street around 16:05. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal when a sedan traveling west struck her with its left front bumper. The report cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The driver, a male with a permit license, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, and remained conscious. Vehicle damage was reported as none. The report highlights driver errors—unsafe speed and failure to yield—as central to this collision, with the pedestrian crossing against the signal noted but not framed as a cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778422 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Three vehicles collided head-to-back on 109 Avenue. A 19-year-old female driver suffered neck abrasions but was conscious. Police cite multiple vehicular factors as causes. The crash involved SUVs and a sedan, all traveling westbound.

According to the police report, a chain collision occurred on 109 Avenue involving three vehicles: two SUVs and one sedan, all traveling westbound. The impact points were center front and center back ends, indicating a rear-end collision sequence. A 19-year-old female driver, an occupant in one of the vehicles, sustained neck abrasions and was conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factors twice, highlighting driver or vehicle-related errors without specifying exact violations. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The collision caused damage primarily to the front and back ends of the vehicles, consistent with a multi-vehicle rear-end crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777171 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi struck two 14-year-old bicyclists traveling west on 112 Street in Queens. Both riders suffered contusions and bruises to abdomen, pelvis, and arm. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling south on 112 Street collided with a bike carrying two 14-year-old males going west. The point of impact was the taxi's left front bumper and the bike's center front end. Both bicyclists were injured with contusions and bruises to the abdomen, pelvis, and lower arm. Neither bicyclist was ejected from the bike, and both were conscious after the crash. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for the taxi driver. The bicyclists were not cited with any contributing factors, and no helmet or crossing signal use was listed as relevant. The taxi driver was licensed in New York and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776568 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A pick-up truck struck a 58-year-old man crossing Liberty Ave with the signal. Driver inattention and speed left the pedestrian bruised and hurt in the abdomen and pelvis. The street became a danger zone.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck heading south on Liberty Ave struck a 58-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to the abdomen and pelvis. The report lists driver inattention, distraction, and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The truck hit the pedestrian with its center front end while going straight. No fault is attributed to the pedestrian’s actions. The crash underscores the risk posed by distracted, speeding drivers at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776580 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04