Thirteen Dead. Thousands Hurt. Queens Streets Still Bleed.

Steel clashed on North Conduit Avenue. Two sedans, one turning, one charging ahead. A man, belted in, felt his body break. The street bore witness. Improper lane use carved pain into the morning.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at North Conduit Avenue and 122nd Street in Queens. One vehicle was making a right turn while the other continued straight. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor for both vehicles. The impact left a 30-year-old male driver with crush injuries to his entire body; he remained conscious and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The narrative states, 'Steel met steel. A 30-year-old man, belted in, stayed conscious as his body broke.' No evidence in the report suggests any error or contributing behavior by the injured driver beyond the cited improper lane usage by both drivers. The crash underscores the persistent danger when drivers fail to maintain proper lane discipline.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751715 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A moped traveling north collided with a 12-year-old bicyclist heading east on 159 Avenue in Queens. The boy suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, a moped traveling north on 159 Avenue struck a 12-year-old bicyclist traveling east. The collision occurred at 13:55 in Queens. The bicyclist, described as the driver of the bike, sustained abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in shock. The report identifies driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. Additionally, driver inexperience and distraction were noted. The moped's point of impact was the center front end, while the bike was struck at the center back end. The bicyclist was not ejected and was wearing a helmet only applicable to motorcycles, which was not listed as a contributing factor. The crash highlights critical driver errors leading to injury of a vulnerable young cyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751155 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A collision on 127 Street in Queens left three female passengers injured. The crash involved a sedan and an SUV. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way and traffic control disregard as key factors. Injuries included back and face contusions.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 127 Street in Queens involving a sedan and a station wagon/SUV. The contributing factor was failure to yield right-of-way, with one occupant also linked to traffic control disregard. Three female passengers, ages 23, 29, and 32, were injured but not ejected. Injuries included contusions and bruises to the back and face. All passengers were restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The SUV was parked before impact, sustaining damage to its center back end, while the sedan was traveling south and impacted on the left side doors. The report highlights driver errors, specifically failure to yield and ignoring traffic controls, as the cause of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750555 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A moped tore down Rockaway Boulevard. The driver, helmetless, lost control. He flew headfirst onto the street. Blood pooled in the dark. His body lay twisted, semiconscious, bleeding from the head. No other vehicles or people nearby.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old moped driver traveling eastbound on Rockaway Boulevard near 135th Place crashed late at night. The report states the moped was operated at 'Unsafe Speed.' The driver, who wore no helmet, was ejected from the vehicle and landed headfirst on the street. He was found semiconscious, suffering severe head bleeding, with his body twisted on the pavement. The police narrative describes the scene as solitary, with no other vehicles or people present. The only contributing factor cited in the report is 'Unsafe Speed.' The absence of helmet use is noted after the primary driver error. The data does not mention any other contributing factors or victim actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750558 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

SUV and sedan slammed together on Cross Bay Boulevard. Both drivers impaired. Three hurt, including a two-year-old. Metal twisted. Night air thick with sirens.

According to the police report, two vehicles collided at 22:02 on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens. A Dodge SUV making a U-turn was struck by a Hyundai sedan heading south. Both drivers were licensed. Alcohol involvement and unsafe speed are listed as contributing factors. Three people were injured: both drivers and a two-year-old passenger in the SUV. All suffered internal injuries but were conscious and not ejected. The SUV’s left rear quarter panel and the sedan’s right front bumper were damaged. The report highlights driver errors of alcohol involvement and unsafe speed. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749601 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

A taxi rear-ended a parked sedan on Lefferts Boulevard. Seven people suffered neck and back bruises. Police cited driver inattention and following too closely. The crash left all occupants in shock.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling south on Lefferts Boulevard in Queens struck the left side doors of a parked sedan at 4:02 AM. Seven occupants, including drivers and passengers aged 20 to 37, were injured with neck and back contusions and shock. All wore lap belts and none were ejected. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. These driver errors led to the violent rear-end collision. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The incident underscores the danger posed by driver distraction and aggressive driving on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747446 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Councilwoman Joann Ariola called out Tiffany Cabán for racking up school-zone speeding tickets while pushing to cut car use. Cabán’s platform promised safer streets and fewer cars. Ariola and others say the tickets show a gap between words and actions.

On August 10, 2024, Councilwoman Joann Ariola (District 32) publicly criticized Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán after media reports revealed Cabán received four school-zone speeding tickets and three other violations since November 2022. The matter, covered by the New York Post, states: 'Cabán—who was elected to office on a platform advocating less car use and cracking down on dangerous driving—received four tickets in the past 13 months for speeding her vehicle in school zones.' Ariola, joined by Councilman Robert Holden, accused Cabán of hypocrisy, highlighting the disconnect between Cabán’s advocacy for street safety and her own driving record. Cabán’s policy platform includes converting 25% of city roadways for people, building 1,000 miles of car-free streets, and expanding bus and bike lanes. No formal council bill or committee action is attached to this event, but the public dispute underscores tensions in the city’s push for safer, less car-dominated streets.

• Socialist NYC Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán has amassed nearly $500 in traffic tickets despite pushing anti-car agenda: ‘Hypocrisy’, nypost.com, Published 2024-08-10

A 20-year-old male e-scooter driver suffered a hip and upper leg injury after a collision on 98 Street near Rockaway Boulevard in Queens. The crash involved driver inattention and inexperience, causing bruising and shock.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:22 on 98 Street near Rockaway Boulevard in Queens. The injured party was a 20-year-old male operating an e-scooter, who sustained a contusion and bruising to his hip and upper leg. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as the contributing factors to the crash. The e-scooter driver was not ejected but was in shock following the impact. The collision involved another vehicle making a right turn, traveling east, while the e-scooter was going straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of the e-scooter, which also sustained damage in the same area. The report highlights driver errors as the cause, with no mention of victim fault or contributing victim behaviors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747122 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A turning car’s door caught a 15-year-old riding an e-bike. The boy slammed, flew, landed hard. Crush injuries racked his body. He stayed conscious, pain burning through him. Driver inattention and an improper turn paved the way.

A 15-year-old boy riding an e-bike was severely injured near 127th Street and 109th Avenue when he collided with the side of a car making a left turn. According to the police report, the e-bike struck the turning vehicle’s left side doors, sending the boy flying and causing crush injuries to his entire body. The report states the boy was not wearing a helmet, but emphasizes that 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Turning Improperly' were the primary contributing factors. The car was making a left turn while the e-bike was going straight ahead. The boy remained conscious after the crash, despite significant pain. The police report centers the driver’s lack of attention and improper maneuver as key causes of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744256 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A sedan making a U-turn on Cross Bay Boulevard crashed. The driver suffered a back bruise. Police cite driver inattention and distraction. The street stayed busy. The pain stayed with him.

According to the police report, a 2022 Chevrolet sedan was making a U-turn on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens at 19:05 when it struck another vehicle. The impact hit the left front bumper. The 50-year-old male driver was injured, suffering a back contusion but remained conscious at the scene. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor. No other errors or victim actions were cited. The injured party was the driver himself. No helmet or signal use was mentioned. The crash underscores the risk of distraction during complex maneuvers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745369 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Governor Hochul’s halt on congestion pricing guts $12 billion in MTA contracts. Thousands of jobs vanish. Local companies lose out. Lawmakers in affected districts stay silent or cheer. Trains and buses face deep cuts. Riders, workers, and streets pay the price.

On July 24, 2024, Governor Hochul’s official pause on congestion pricing triggered a $12 billion loss in MTA contracts, according to a Reinvent Albany report. The move slashes funding for the 2020-24 MTA capital plan, which was to be partly paid by congestion pricing. The report highlights that many companies losing contracts are in districts represented by lawmakers who either support the pause or have stayed silent. Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick called congestion pricing 'simply another tax' and demanded repeal. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow praised the pause, saying it allows time to address 'communities' concerns.' Frank Russo, president of Ozone Park Lumber, warned, 'You can't just say, 'We're not going to buy supplies and equipment.'' Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany said, 'Congestion pricing is an economic booster.' The pause means less money for transit, fewer jobs, and more risk for vulnerable road users who rely on safe, reliable public transportation.

• Hochul’s Congestion Pricing ‘Pause’ Will Cost Area Companies Billions, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-24

Low-density districts block City of Yes. Most community boards vote no. High-density areas back the plan. The fight centers on housing, parking, and who bears the city’s growth. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait as politics stall change.

Bill: City of Yes housing proposal. Status: Community board votes and public testimony as of July 22, 2024. Of 57 boards, 38 opposed the plan, 20 supported it, mostly in denser neighborhoods. The proposal, described as aiming to build 'a little more housing in every neighborhood,' faces resistance in low-density areas. Council Member Joann Ariola (R-Woodhaven) opposed more housing in her district, calling it 'suburbs.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso criticized neighborhoods that refuse new housing, saying it increases pressure on poorer areas. Arlene Schlesinger, a Queens resident, voiced strong opposition, especially to lifting parking mandates and adding accessory dwelling units. Community boards, often older and whiter, resist change, leaving the city’s most vulnerable to bear the brunt of housing and transportation inequity.

• Map: How Did Community Boards Vote on ‘City of Yes’ Housing Plan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-22

Unlicensed moped driver rear-ended a stopped SUV on Cross Bay Boulevard. Rider was partially ejected, injured across his body. Unsafe speed and tailgating led to the crash, police report states.

According to the police report, a moped traveling south on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens struck the rear of a stopped SUV at midnight. The moped driver, unlicensed, was partially ejected and suffered abrasions to his entire body. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors for the moped driver. The SUV driver was licensed and stopped in traffic. No damage was reported to either vehicle. The moped operator wore no safety equipment. The crash highlights driver errors by the moped operator, specifically unsafe speed and failure to maintain distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741978 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Two young women suffered chest and head contusions in a Queens crash. Both drivers were restrained but shocked. The collision involved two sedans traveling east and south, with driver inattention and failure to yield cited as causes.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 10:44 AM in Queens involving two sedans. Both drivers, women aged 22 and 23, were injured with contusions to the chest and head, respectively, and experienced shock. Both were wearing lap belts and were not ejected. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors, specifically for the 22-year-old driver. The vehicles collided with impact points at the left front bumper and center front end, indicating a failure to yield right-of-way by one driver. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash highlights driver errors as the primary cause of injury in this incident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741935 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A truck backed unsafely on 127 Street in Queens, slamming into a stopped sedan. The sedan driver suffered back contusions and shock. Unsafe backing by the truck driver caused the crash.

According to the police report, a tractor truck was backing on 127 Street in Queens when it struck a sedan that was stopped in traffic. The sedan's 36-year-old male driver was injured, suffering back contusions and shock. The report lists 'Backing Unsafely' as the sole contributing factor, directly implicating the truck driver. The sedan sustained center front-end damage, while the truck was damaged at the center back end. No errors or contributing factors are attributed to the sedan driver. This crash highlights the danger of improper backing maneuvers by large vehicles in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739483 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Queens council members slammed the City of Yes plan. They called new housing near transit a threat. They fought against ending parking mandates. Most public testimony backed the reforms. But Queens officials stood firm, defending car-centric streets and single-family homes.

On July 11, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on the City of Yes zoning reforms. The proposal aims to increase housing near transit, allow mixed-use zoning, and eliminate parking mandates. Council Members Joann Ariola and Vicki Paladino led opposition, calling the plan an 'unmitigated disaster' and disputing housing data. Ariola argued, 'That's what they bought in the suburbs for.' Other Queens officials and residents echoed fears for single-family homeowners and suburban 'character.' In contrast, Borough President Donovan Richards's spokesperson and some residents supported the reforms, citing the city's affordability crisis. The majority of public testimony favored the proposal, but entrenched opposition from Queens officials remains strong. No safety analyst assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• ‘Suburban’ Queens Stalwarts Take Hard Line Against Housing — To Rest of City’s Detriment, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-11

An SUV merged into Rockaway Boulevard, failing to yield. It hit a sedan moving straight. The sedan driver suffered leg and foot injuries. Both vehicles took front-end damage. The crash exposed the cost of driver inexperience.

According to the police report, an SUV merged onto Rockaway Boulevard in Queens and struck a sedan traveling straight at 19:09. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors for the SUV driver. The sedan driver, a 41-year-old man, was injured in the knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and not ejected. The SUV's left front bumper and the sedan's right front bumper were damaged. No contributing factors are attributed to the sedan driver. The crash underscores the danger when merging drivers fail to yield and lack experience.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739129 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07