Sidewalks Are Not Safe—And Your Silence Kills

A sedan driver suffered a severe leg fracture after an SUV made an unsafe lane change on Grand Central Parkway. The SUV passed too closely and at unsafe speed, striking the sedan’s left rear bumper. The driver remained conscious but injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:26 AM on Grand Central Parkway involving a station wagon/SUV and a sedan. The SUV driver committed multiple errors: unsafe speed, unsafe lane changing, and passing too closely. These actions led to a collision impacting the sedan’s left rear bumper. The sedan driver, a 35-year-old male occupant, was injured with a fractured knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. He was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report explicitly cites the SUV driver’s unsafe lane changing and passing too closely as contributing factors. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers of aggressive and careless driving maneuvers on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734823 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City hall wants to strip red tape from open streets. The plan slashes insurance demands and trains new groups. Advocates say high costs and paperwork choke car-free events. The move could revive lost corridors and let more New Yorkers reclaim the road.

On June 18, 2024, Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu released a report proposing major reforms to New York City's open streets program. The plan, highlighted in the report 'Realm of Possibility,' aims to 'lift some of the bureaucratic and cost hurdles faced by the largely volunteer open streets groups.' Key elements include lowering or waiving liability insurance for small events, standardizing maintenance agreements, and launching a 'Public Space Academy' to train organizers. Jim Burke, organizer for 34th Avenue, called for removing barriers to make the program equitable. Gib Veconi of Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council and Jackson Chabot of Open Plans both praised the reforms, citing burdensome permit processes and high costs as threats to open streets. The proposal responds to advocates' warnings that city policies have stifled car-free spaces, risking the loss of vital corridors for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Someday, You May be Able to Activate Open Streets with Fewer City Hurdles, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-18

Four passengers and one driver suffered whiplash and back injuries in a chain collision on Grand Central Parkway. Police cite repeated driver inattention and distraction as key factors. All occupants were conscious and restrained during impact.

At 3:44 AM on Grand Central Parkway, a multi-vehicle crash involved several SUVs and a sedan, according to the police report. The collision caused injuries to five vehicle occupants, including one driver and four passengers, all conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses. Injuries reported include whiplash and back pain, with severity rated as moderate (3). The police report identifies driver errors as the primary cause, specifically 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' repeated multiple times and 'Other Vehicular' factors. No victims were ejected. The point of impact on involved vehicles ranged from center front ends to center back ends, indicating a chain reaction collision. The report does not list any contributing victim behaviors, focusing blame on driver distraction and inattention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731102 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Albany lawmakers shut down a last-ditch MTA funding plan after Governor Hochul paused congestion pricing. No replacement for the lost $1 billion. Transit riders and street users face uncertainty. Lawmakers call the move reckless. The city waits. Danger lingers.

On June 7, 2024, the New York State legislative session ended without passing a replacement funding plan for the MTA after Governor Kathy Hochul paused congestion pricing. The matter, described as 'Albany pumps the brakes on MTA funding plan in rebuke of Hochul’s move to ditch congestion pricing,' left the MTA without the $1 billion annual revenue congestion pricing would have provided. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins announced the session’s close without a deal. Lawmakers including State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, State Sen. John Liu, Assemblyman Harvey Epstein, and Assemblyman Tony Simone criticized the governor’s decision and the proposed IOU bailout. Gounardes said, 'I cannot in good conscience ratify a decision that will eliminate a significant, dedicated revenue source for the MTA’s capital plan.' The pause leaves the city’s transit future—and the safety of those who rely on it—uncertain.

• Albany pumps the brakes on MTA funding plan in rebuke of Hochul’s move to ditch congestion pricing, nypost.com, Published 2024-06-07

Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

Top city officials broke ranks with Mayor Adams. They demanded congestion pricing after Governor Hochul’s sudden halt. MTA board members, planners, and transit chiefs warned of lost funding and stalled projects. They called the suspension a blow to transit and public safety.

On June 6, 2024, New York City officials issued strong statements supporting congestion pricing after Governor Hochul suspended the plan. The matter, titled 'City Officials Demand Congestion Pricing Despite Eric Adams’s Deference to Hochul,' saw Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi, MTA board member Midori Valdivia, City Planning Chair Dan Garodnick, DOT Chief of Staff Ryan Lynch, and public space czar Ya-Ting Liu all speak out. Valdivia warned, 'today it was announced, without MTA Board consultation, the cancellation of projects such as the Second Avenue Subway Phase II, our accessibility program... and a fully zero-emission bus fleet.' Joshi declared, 'It needs to happen now.' Garodnick cited a 'significant hole' in the MTA budget. Liu called congestion pricing 'the only policy' for transit and traffic. The New York City Independent Budget Office also warned of economic harm and delayed improvements. Mayor Adams, once a supporter, deferred to the governor, leaving vulnerable road users without promised transit upgrades.

• City Officials Demand Congestion Pricing Despite Eric Adams’s Deference to Hochul, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-06

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

Taxi struck a man crossing Grand Central Parkway. The impact left him with head wounds and bruises. He stayed conscious. No driver errors listed. The street became a danger zone.

According to the police report, a male pedestrian was injured when a 2021 Toyota taxi, traveling east, struck him with its left front bumper on Grand Central Parkway at 1:43 a.m. The pedestrian was crossing outside any crosswalk or signal. He suffered head injuries and bruises but remained conscious. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors, marking them as "Unspecified." The taxi driver was licensed and driving straight ahead. The crash underscores the risk pedestrians face when vehicles cross their path, even without clear driver violations.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729829 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

A 27-year-old male driver suffered whiplash and full-body injuries when an SUV struck the rear quarter panel of his sedan. The crash happened on Grand Central Parkway at 1:04 a.m. The SUV driver followed too closely, causing the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:04 a.m. on Grand Central Parkway involving a 2018 SUV and a 2004 sedan, both traveling east. The SUV struck the sedan's right rear quarter panel, damaging both vehicles. The sedan's 27-year-old male driver was injured with whiplash and bodily trauma, remaining conscious with airbag deployment. The report cites "Following Too Closely" and "Other Vehicular" factors as contributing causes, indicating driver error by the SUV operator. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The sedan driver was not ejected and was the sole occupant injured. The report does not list any victim behaviors contributing to the crash. This collision highlights the dangers of tailgating on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729172 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV veered, struck a motorcyclist. Rider thrown, body broken. Police blame driver distraction. Helmet on, but bones shattered. Metal and flesh met at speed. The road did not forgive.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old male motorcyclist was traveling west on Grand Central Parkway when a 2023 SUV, also westbound, changed lanes and struck the motorcycle's center front end with its left rear bumper. The rider was ejected, suffering full-body injuries including fractures and dislocations. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors, both attributed to the SUV driver. The motorcyclist wore a helmet, but helmet use was not listed as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the danger of driver distraction and careless lane changes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729671 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An armored truck struck a sedan from behind on the Vanwyck Expressway in Queens. The sedan driver, a 65-year-old man, suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries and whiplash. Tire failure on the truck was a contributing factor, according to police.

According to the police report, at 15:25 on the Vanwyck Expressway in Queens, an armored truck traveling north collided with the left rear quarter panel of a northbound sedan. The truck's center front end impacted the sedan's left rear quarter panel, causing damage to both vehicles. The sedan driver, a 65-year-old man, was injured with shoulder and upper arm trauma and reported whiplash, remaining restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report cites tire failure or inadequacy on the armored truck as a contributing factor to the crash. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead prior to the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the sedan driver. This crash highlights the systemic dangers posed by vehicle mechanical failures on busy expressways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729149 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-05-28