Queens Streets Bleed While Leaders Stall: Demand Action Now

Senate backs S 4045. Repeat speeders face forced installation of speed assistance tech. Eleven points or six camera tickets triggers action. Law targets reckless drivers. Streets may get safer for those outside the car.

Senate bill S 4045, sponsored by Andrew Gounardes and co-sponsored by over two dozen senators, passed committee votes on June 11 and June 12, 2025. The bill, titled 'Relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits,' mandates these devices for drivers who rack up eleven or more points in 24 months, or six speed or red light camera tickets in a year. The measure aims to curb repeat dangerous driving. Senators including Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, and others voted yes. The bill targets drivers with a pattern of violations, seeking to cut risk for pedestrians and cyclists by limiting repeat speeding.

• File S 4045, Open States, Published 2025-06-11

White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-11

White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-11

Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-11

Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-11

Senate backs S 8117. Oneida County gets school speed zone cameras. Law sunsets in 2030. Lawmakers act. Streets near schools may slow. Children walk safer. Drivers face new eyes.

Senate bill S 8117, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the county of Oneida,' passed committee votes on May 27 and June 10, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joseph A. Griffo (District 53), sets up speed cameras near schools in Oneida County. The program ends December 31, 2030. The Senate voted yes, with only two no votes and several excused. The measure aims to slow drivers near schools and protect children. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process.

• File S 8117, Open States, Published 2025-06-10

Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.

• File S 915, Open States, Published 2025-06-09

Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.

• File S 915, Open States, Published 2025-06-09

Two sedans collided on Beach 84 Street. One driver suffered a back injury. Children rode in the back seats. Police cite following too closely and other vehicular factors. Metal struck metal. The street fell silent. The system failed again.

Two sedans crashed on Beach 84 Street at Beach Channel Drive in Queens. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling west when one struck the other from behind. One driver, a 32-year-old man, suffered a back injury and reported whiplash. Children were present as rear passengers. The police report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. These driver errors led to the impact. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report does not mention helmets or signals as factors. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to maintain safe distance and control.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818918 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV and sedan slammed together on Bay 32 Street. Aggressive driving and speed tore through the night. A pedestrian and a passenger left bruised. The street bore the scars.

A crash on Bay 32 Street at Dwight Avenue in Queens involved a Jeep SUV and a Ford sedan. According to the police report, both vehicles were driven aggressively and at unsafe speeds. The SUV driver was unlicensed. The impact injured a 41-year-old pedestrian, who suffered arm bruises and shock, and a 45-year-old front passenger, who sustained shoulder injuries. Aggressive driving and road rage, along with unsafe speed, were listed as contributing factors. The report does not mention any errors by those injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818362 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs struck near Rockaway Beach. One driver suffered head injury. Police report lists no clear cause. Impact left metal bent, people shaken.

Two SUVs and a parked box truck collided near 112-22 Rockaway Beach Blvd in Queens. A 28-year-old male SUV driver suffered a head injury and whiplash. According to the police report, all contributing factors are listed as 'Unspecified.' No other injuries were reported. The crash involved vehicles traveling east, with one SUV merging and another stopped in traffic. The box truck was parked. No driver errors or violations are cited in the report. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818535 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A BMW SUV struck while making a U-turn on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. A ten-year-old boy in the back seat suffered an eye injury. Police cite improper turning. The street saw impact, pain, and a child left hurt by driver error.

A crash on Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Queens left a ten-year-old boy injured. According to the police report, a BMW SUV traveling east collided with another vehicle making a U-turn. The boy, seated in the left rear, suffered a contusion to his eye. Police list 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor. The SUV’s left front bumper took the hit. Two other occupants, both women, were listed as uninjured. The report does not mention any helmet or signal use as factors. The data points to driver error—improper turning—at the heart of this crash. No blame is placed on the injured child.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817535 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council pushes cheaper bike share for students 16 and up. More teens on bikes. Streets shift. Danger remains. The bill sits in committee. Cyclists wait.

Int 1287-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced May 28, 2025. The bill would require the Department of Transportation to set a discounted bike share rate for public school students aged 16 or older. The matter title reads: "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a discounted bike share rate for public school students aged 16 or older." Council Member Christopher Marte leads as primary sponsor, joined by Louis, Stevens, Brooks-Powers, Ossé, Restler, Powers, Lee, Nurse, Hanif, Brewer, and Banks. The bill was referred to committee and awaits further action. No safety analysis has been provided.

• File Int 1287-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-28

Senate backs S 8117. Oneida County gets school speed zone cameras. Law sunsets in 2030. Lawmakers act. Streets near schools may slow. Children walk safer. Drivers face new eyes.

Senate bill S 8117, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the county of Oneida,' passed committee votes on May 27 and June 10, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joseph A. Griffo (District 53), sets up speed cameras near schools in Oneida County. The program ends December 31, 2030. The Senate voted yes, with only two no votes and several excused. The measure aims to slow drivers near schools and protect children. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process.

• File S 8117, Open States, Published 2025-05-27

Two sedans crashed on Beach Channel Drive in Queens. Driver distraction and improper lane use led to impact. Two women were injured, one with chest pain, one with arm wounds. Metal twisted. Pain followed. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.

Two sedans collided on Beach Channel Drive near Beach 91st Street in Queens. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling west when the crash occurred. Driver inattention and improper lane usage were listed as contributing factors. Two women, a 32-year-old driver and a 55-year-old front passenger, suffered injuries. The driver sustained abrasions to her arm, while the passenger complained of chest pain and nausea. Both were conscious and wore seat belts. Two male occupants in the other vehicle were also involved but their injuries were unspecified. The report highlights 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as key errors. No mention of helmet or signal use was made. The crash underscores the persistent risk on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815792 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan hit a cyclist on Beach Channel Drive in Queens. The cyclist was ejected and injured. Police cite driver inattention. Two car occupants and another person were also involved. The crash left bruises and bleeding. Systemic danger persists.

A sedan and a bicycle collided on Beach Channel Drive in Queens. The crash injured a 56-year-old male cyclist, who was ejected and suffered bleeding and bruises to his lower leg and foot. Another person, also ejected, sustained a contusion. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. Two car occupants, ages 49 and 85, were involved but their injuries were unspecified. The sedan’s right front bumper struck the cyclist. The report lists no helmet or signal issues as contributing factors. The data highlights driver inattention as a key factor in this collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816000 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A pickup struck an elderly man crossing Jericho Turnpike. The victim died days later. Police charged the driver months after the crash. The intersection remains dangerous. The law caught up, but the street stayed the same.

According to NY Daily News (published May 21, 2025), police arrested Benjamin Jean-Baptiste five months after he fatally struck 78-year-old Jose Jimenez at Jericho Turnpike and 91st Ave. in Queens. The article reports, "On Tuesday, police charged him with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care, both misdemeanors." Jean-Baptiste, driving a Dodge Ram, turned left and hit Jimenez as he crossed the busy intersection. Jimenez suffered a massive head injury and died a week later. The driver remained at the scene and was later given a desk appearance ticket. This case highlights persistent risks at major crossings and the delay in holding drivers accountable for failing to yield and exercise care.

• Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-21

Adams administration opens a pedestrian path on Queensboro Bridge. Federal Secretary Duffy objects. Critics say his stance ignores history and safety. The bridge once belonged to walkers. Now, the city returns space to people, not cars. Tensions flare. Vulnerable users watch.

On May 19, 2025, Streetsblog NYC covered the Adams administration's move to open a dedicated pedestrian path on the Queensboro Bridge. The event, not a council bill but a city action, drew sharp criticism from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, who opposed removing a vehicle lane for pedestrians and cyclists. The article states: 'forcing pedestrians and cyclists in both directions to share a single lane on a bridge with nine lanes for car drivers was unsafe.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and Council Member Julie Won attended the opening. The safety analyst notes: 'The event text does not describe a specific policy or legislative change, so there is no direct impact on pedestrian or cyclist safety to assess.' Still, the move restores space to those on foot and bike, challenging car dominance and federal resistance.

• Monday’s Headlines: ‘Hey, Sean, We’re Walking Here’ Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-19

A bus hit a cyclist and a pedestrian in Queens. Both men, age 54, suffered leg injuries. The bus was turning right. No driver errors listed. Impact was sudden. The street stayed dangerous.

A bus struck a cyclist and a pedestrian on Beach Channel Drive near Dix Avenue in Queens. Both the cyclist and pedestrian, men aged 54, sustained injuries to their lower legs. According to the police report, the bus was making a right turn when the crash occurred. The cyclist was going straight, and the pedestrian was walking along the highway against traffic. No specific driver errors were listed in the report. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814703 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

The city dropped plans to ban bikes on Rockaway’s boardwalk after fierce protest. Council Member Joann Ariola welcomed the reversal but demanded tougher enforcement against reckless cyclists. Locals pushed for clearer signs and marked lanes. The board voted for new safety measures.

On May 14, 2025, a proposed ban on bicycles along Rockaway Beach’s boardwalk was canceled after public backlash. The plan, discussed at a community board meeting, would have barred cyclists from Beach 108th to Beach 73rd Street during summer months. Council Member Joann Ariola, representing District 32, expressed relief at the reversal, stating, 'I’m glad that the Parks Department is going to continue allowing Rockaway residents to enjoy their bikes on the boardwalk this summer, but now we need real enforcement.' Instead of a ban, the Parks Department will increase signage and enforcement, especially near concessions. The community board voted 30-1 for new signs and called for marked bike lanes, an 8 mph speed limit, and clearer right-of-way rules. Board chair Dolores Orr stressed these safety improvements have been needed since the boardwalk’s post-Sandy rebuild.

• Controversial NYC boardwalk bicycle ban scrapped after local outrage, protests: ‘Bad timing’, nypost.com, Published 2025-05-14