Queens Streets Run Red—Who’s Next?

Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Two SUVs crashed head-on during left turns on South Conduit Avenue. One driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Airbags deployed. Both vehicles took heavy front-end damage. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on South Conduit Avenue in Queens as both drivers attempted left turns. The impact struck the center front end of one SUV and the left front bumper of the other. A 37-year-old male driver was injured, reporting neck pain and whiplash. He was conscious, restrained by a lap belt and harness, and airbags deployed. Both drivers were licensed men, traveling south and east. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not cite any specific driver errors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash caused significant front-end damage to both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4613633 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

SUV struck sedan from behind. Metal twisted. A man and a girl inside the sedan bruised and battered. Police cite tailgating and distraction. Impact crushed the sedan’s front. No one ejected.

According to the police report, a Jeep SUV rear-ended a sedan on Cross Island Parkway in Queens. The sedan carried a 39-year-old male driver and a 13-year-old female front passenger. Both suffered injuries: the driver with head contusions, the passenger with bruises across her body. Police list "Following Too Closely" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as contributing factors for the SUV driver. The crash struck the sedan’s center front and the SUV’s center back. No one was ejected. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4611825 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A man on an e-scooter collided with a Jeep SUV in Queens. The unlicensed e-scooter driver followed too closely and struck the SUV’s right front quarter panel. The rider suffered chest injuries and minor bleeding, left shaken but not ejected.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Jamaica Avenue in Queens involving an unlicensed e-scooter driver and a licensed Jeep SUV driver. The e-scooter driver was injured, sustaining chest trauma and minor bleeding. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. The e-scooter driver was traveling east going straight ahead, while the SUV was slowing or stopping. The point of impact was the center front end of the e-scooter and the right front quarter panel of the SUV. The e-scooter driver was not ejected but experienced shock. No helmet or signaling factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4611806 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A 12-year-old girl playing in the roadway was struck by a northbound sedan on 213 Street in Queens. She suffered a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The sedan hit her on its left side doors, causing injury but no ejection.

According to the police report, a 12-year-old female pedestrian was injured while playing in the roadway on 213 Street near Jamaica Avenue in Queens. The pedestrian was struck by a northbound 2021 Nissan sedan, which impacted her on the vehicle's left side doors. The girl sustained a head contusion and remained conscious after the collision. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The pedestrian's actions were noted as "Playing in Roadway," but no helmet or signaling factors were involved. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The crash caused damage to the sedan's left side doors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4612610 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

Senator Comrie pushes a yellow alert for deadly hit-and-runs. Police would blast car details fast. The goal: catch fleeing drivers. The dead deserve justice. Streets remember.

Senate bill S 5588, sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie, was introduced on March 8, 2023. The bill sits at the sponsorship stage. It aims to 'establish a yellow alert system for law enforcement to publicize vehicle information in instances of hit-and-run accidents in which a person has been killed.' Comrie leads the charge. The alert would spread vehicle details after fatal hit-and-runs, aiming to help police track down drivers who flee. No safety analyst note is available. The bill targets the aftermath, not prevention. Vulnerable road users remain at risk until drivers are held to account.

• File S 5588, Open States, Published 2023-03-08

SUV and sedan slammed together on 149 Road. One driver, 46, hurt and in shock. Both moved straight. Unsafe speed drove the crash. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 149 Road involving a Toyota SUV and a Nissan sedan. Both vehicles were traveling straight when they crashed. The 46-year-old male SUV driver was injured and went into shock. The report lists unsafe speed as the contributing factor for both drivers. Vehicle damage was found on the left rear bumper of the SUV and the left front quarter panel of the sedan. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved in this incident. The injured driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4611103 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A Ford SUV turned onto Sunrise Highway and struck a 68-year-old woman crossing on foot. She bled from the head. The SUV showed no damage. The driver was licensed. The street fell silent after the crash.

A 68-year-old woman was crossing Sunrise Highway near Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens when a Ford SUV turned and struck her head-on. According to the police report, 'A 68-year-old woman crossing without a signal was struck head-on by a turning Ford SUV.' The woman suffered severe bleeding from the head but remained conscious. The SUV, driven by a licensed 51-year-old man, showed no visible damage. Both the pedestrian and the driver had 'Unspecified' listed as contributing factors. The woman was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. No driver errors were specified in the data. The crash left the pedestrian injured and the driver unharmed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4611553 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

State pushes a $1.2-billion tax break for Penn Station towers. Critics slam the deal as a handout to Vornado. Hundreds of homes and businesses face displacement. Promised funding for transit falls apart. The public gets risk. Developers get power.

On March 6, 2023, the debate over Gov. Hochul’s Penn Station redevelopment plan intensified. The $1.2-billion tax break, meant to spur ten new towers and fund a $20-billion transit overhaul, is under fire. The plan, pitched as a lifeline for Penn Station, now faces doubts about its ability to deliver. State officials admit the project will not fully fund the station. Developer Steve Roth, head of Vornado, is not required to build, putting revenue in doubt. Senator Leroy Comrie called for a reset, saying, “the GPP that’s been presented is not longer working.” Critics, including attorney Chuck Weinstock and policy analyst Rachael Fauss, argue the deal benefits Vornado, not the public. Hundreds of businesses and homes could be lost. The project’s value and feasibility remain in question. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• Gov. Hochul’s Penn Station Tax Giveaway Makes Less Sense Than Ever, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-06

A sedan traveling east struck a parked SUV on Linden Boulevard in Queens. The sedan driver, unlicensed and speeding, suffered knee and lower leg fractures. The SUV was damaged at its center back end. The crash left one injured and shaken.

According to the police report, a sedan driven by an unlicensed male driver traveling east on Linden Boulevard collided with a parked SUV. The point of impact was the center front end of the sedan and the center back end of the SUV. The sedan driver, age 30, was injured with fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists Unsafe Speed as a contributing factor. The SUV had no occupants at the time. The sedan driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. The report notes the driver’s unlicensed status and unsafe speed as key errors leading to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4610374 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A 45-year-old man was struck by a sedan on Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens. The pedestrian suffered a head contusion and bruises. Alcohol involvement was noted. The crash occurred near parked vehicles. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 45-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being struck by a sedan traveling south on Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and was hit near parked vehicles. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and bruises and remained conscious. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor. The collision involved two sedans, one of which was parked, and the other traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the left side doors of the parked vehicle and the front quarter panel of the moving sedan. No other driver errors were specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4610543 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

An SUV and a sedan slammed together at a Queens intersection. Both drivers suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. No one was ejected. The cause remains unclear. Metal twisted. Lives jarred.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old woman driving a 2022 Infiniti SUV northbound and a 46-year-old man driving a 2020 Nissan sedan eastbound collided at 143-84 227 Street in Queens. Both drivers were injured, suffering whiplash and trauma to their entire bodies. They remained conscious and were not ejected from their vehicles. The SUV took damage to its left front quarter panel, while the sedan's right front bumper and center front end were crushed. The police report lists all contributing factors as unspecified for both drivers. No other causes or errors are cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4610157 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

Two sedans slammed head-on in Queens. Both drivers hurt. Whiplash. Full-body trauma. Distraction behind the wheel. No one ejected. No pedestrians. Steel and glass, broken by inattention.

According to the police report, two sedans collided head-on on Merrick Boulevard in Queens just after midnight. Both drivers, a 56-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman, suffered whiplash and injuries to their entire bodies. Each was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left both vehicles with front-end damage. The police report makes clear: distraction at the wheel led to pain and wreckage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4609908 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

Council moves Intro 501-A forward. No more cash reward for reporting drivers blocking bike or bus lanes. The bill phases in citywide. Digital training and ID now required. Broader zones, stricter rules. Safety and accountability take center stage.

Intro 501-A, sponsored by Council Member Lincoln Restler, advanced in the City Council on March 3, 2023. The bill, now revised, drops the 25 percent bounty for citizen reporters. It requires digital training and valid New York identification. The rollout starts in Lower Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn, expanding citywide over three years. The Department of Transportation must create a mobile app and post signage in reporting zones. The bill doubles reporting zones around schools to 2,640 feet. Restler said, 'The updated version of this bill will prioritize safety by reducing the likelihood of conflict between neighbors while continuing to empower citizen enforcement across nearly the entirety of New York City.' Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers led the committee. Advocates like Transportation Alternatives and Bike New York support the bill, citing the need for civilian enforcement to keep streets safe for vulnerable users.

• ‘Citizen Reporting’ Bill Moves Forward, But Without the Bounty, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-03

Council moves Intro 501 forward. No cash reward for reporting. Only trained New Yorkers can file. First, Lower Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn. Citywide in three years. Aim: stop blocked bike and bus lanes. Brooks-Powers leads. Restler pushes safety. Streets stay in focus.

Intro 501, a bill to let citizens report drivers blocking bike or bus lanes, advanced in the City Council on March 3, 2023. The Transportation Committee, chaired by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (District 31), steered the revision. The bill, sponsored by Lincoln Restler, drops the 25 percent ticket bounty but expands reporting zones and phases in citywide coverage over three years. The matter summary states: 'A long-stalled bill that would allow people to report drivers who block bike or bus lanes is about to move forward in the City Council, but without its central feature: people who make complaints will no longer receive 25 percent of the resulting ticket revenue.' Restler said, 'My top priority is expanding street safety.' The bill now requires a digital training course and valid ID for complainants. Only unoccupied cars can be reported. The Department of Transportation must create a mobile app and post signage. Advocates support the bill, citing the need for civilian enforcement to protect vulnerable road users.

• ‘Citizen Reporting’ Bill Moves Forward, But Without the Bounty, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-03-03

Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-02-28

Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-02-28