No More Dead Kids: Hold Paladino Accountable for Traffic Violence

A motorcycle struck a sedan’s rear on Whitestone Expressway. One man suffered crush injuries. Two sedans and a motorcycle tangled. The crash left a driver semiconscious. Police cited following too closely. Metal twisted. Lives changed in seconds.

A crash on Whitestone Expressway involved two sedans and a motorcycle. One male driver, age 39, was injured with crush injuries and found semiconscious. According to the police report, the collision was caused by 'Following Too Closely.' The motorcycle, traveling north and changing lanes, hit the right rear quarter panel of a northbound sedan. The impact damaged the right side doors of the sedan and the motorcycle’s front end. Two other occupants, a 42-year-old female driver and a 29-year-old male, were listed with unspecified injuries. No helmet or signal use was cited as a contributing factor. The report highlights driver error as the primary cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819015, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Over 100 New Yorkers gathered at Central Park to demand a ban on e-bikes in city parks. Cyclists, pedestrians, and crash victims told stories of injury. Council Member Vickie Paladino and Bob Holden backed Intro 0060, calling for safer, car-free park spaces.

On May 8, 2025, Council Member Vickie Paladino (District 19) led a rally at Central Park, joined by over 100 cyclists, pedestrians, and crash victims, to support Intro 0060—a bill to ban e-vehicles from NYC parks. The rally, also attended by Council Member Bob Holden, highlighted injuries from e-bike collisions. The event summary reads: 'Over 100 New Yorkers, including cyclists, victims of e-vehicle collisions, and supporters, gathered outside Central Park... to demand an end to a program that allows e-bike riding in city parks.' Paladino sponsors the bill, with 19 council members signed on. Janet Schroeder of the NYC e-vehicle Safety Alliance argued, 'Parks are for recreation, not transportation.' NYC Parks officials defended the current program, but advocates insisted that e-vehicles threaten the safety and peace of park users. No formal safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Over 100 cyclists, pedestrians and victims gathered at Central Park to stop e-bike riding in NYC parks, amny.com, Published 2025-05-08

A Ford sedan turned left on College Point Blvd, striking a southbound cyclist. Steel hit flesh. The rider, 32, fell. Legs crushed. The street fell silent except for pain. Police cite driver distraction. Systemic danger left another body broken.

A collision occurred on College Point Blvd near 14th Road in Queens at 5:49 a.m., involving a Ford sedan and a southbound cyclist. According to the police report, the sedan was 'making left turn' when it struck the cyclist, who was 'going straight ahead.' The report states, 'Steel met skin. The rider, 32, fell hard. Legs crushed.' The cyclist suffered crush injuries to the lower legs and remained conscious at the scene. Police explicitly list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both the sedan and the crash overall. The sedan’s left front bumper struck the bike’s center front end. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after driver distraction is cited as the cause. The crash underscores the persistent risk posed by inattentive drivers to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794907, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A man slammed his Mercedes into a stopped car on the Whitestone Expressway. The impact threw an MTA worker onto the pavement. The driver ran. The worker died. Police found the abandoned car. The driver had no license.

NY Daily News reported on February 5, 2025, that James Vennitti, 63, was arrested for a deadly hit-and-run on the Whitestone Expressway in Queens. On February 10, 2024, Vennitti allegedly rear-ended David Berney, 43, after Berney and another driver stopped in the middle lane following a minor collision. The crash threw Berney from his car, killing him at the scene. The other driver was injured. Vennitti, unlicensed, abandoned his Mercedes and fled on foot. Police arrested him a year later. A grand jury indicted Vennitti for leaving the scene of a fatal crash and driving without a license. The case highlights the lethal risk of unlicensed driving and the dangers of stopped vehicles on high-speed roads.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Queens Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-05

Transportation Alternatives reports a deadly surge. Sixteen children died on city streets last year. Half were walking or biking. Pedestrian deaths rose 21 percent. Most killed at unprotected crossings. Councilmember Paladino opposes proven safety measures. City leaders stall. Streets stay lethal.

On January 28, 2025, Transportation Alternatives released its annual traffic fatality report. The report states: 'the number of children and teens killed in car crashes in NYC has reached record highs, with 16 kids killed last year.' This is the highest three-year total since Vision Zero began in 2014. Councilmember Vickie Paladino (District 19, Queens) is mentioned as a staunch opponent of Vision Zero, speed cameras, and bike lanes. The report criticizes elected leaders for inaction and calls for urgent safety measures, including speed governors for repeat offenders, universal daylighting, lower speed limits, more protected bike lanes, and stronger regulation of delivery apps. The Department of Transportation supports some measures but opposes universal daylighting. The report highlights that most pedestrians killed at intersections were at crossings without physical daylighting, and most cyclists killed were on streets without protected bike lanes. Vulnerable road users remain exposed as city leaders delay life-saving changes.

• Report: A Record-Number of Kids Were Killed on NYC Streets Last Year, streetsblog.org, Published 2025-01-28

Sixteen children died on New York City streets last year. Half were walking or biking. This is the highest toll since Vision Zero began. Families and advocates demand urgent action. City officials debate speed limits, daylighting, and protected lanes. The danger grows.

A new report released January 28, 2025, by Transportation Alternatives shows a record number of children killed in car crashes during Mayor Adams's first three years. The report states, 'the number of children and teens killed in car crashes in NYC has reached record highs, with 16 kids killed last year.' Councilmember Vickie Paladino opposes Vision Zero, speed cameras, and bike lanes. Councilmember Chris Marte leads efforts to reopen Park Row to cars, a move criticized by safety advocates. The Department of Transportation supports some safety measures, like speed governors and suspending registrations for repeat offenders, but rejects universal daylighting, claiming other treatments work better. Advocates and family members call for lower speed limits, more protected bike lanes, and urgent reforms to save lives. The DOT disputes some findings, especially on daylighting and fatality trends. The debate over safety measures continues as children pay the price.

• Report: A Record-Number of Kids Were Killed on NYC Streets Last Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-28

Opponents of congestion pricing use subway crime to stir fear and block change. Data shows streets are deadlier than trains. Riders keep riding. Politicians and advocates clash. The real danger: distraction from fixing transit and protecting people on foot and bike.

On January 14, 2025, a public debate erupted over congestion pricing and subway safety in New York City. The matter, titled "Masters of Deflection: Congestion Pricing Foes Stoke Fear of Subway Crime," highlights how some council members and political groups use concerns about subway crime to oppose congestion pricing. Councilwoman Vickie Paladino voiced strong opposition, while advocates like Sara Lind and Ben Furnas countered that such arguments ignore real solutions and endanger transit funding. The article notes, 'Data shows the subway is statistically safer than city streets for both pedestrians and drivers.' Despite visible homelessness and high-profile crimes, most riders continue to use the subway. The debate exposes how fear is weaponized to block policies that could reduce traffic violence and improve safety for vulnerable road users. No direct safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Masters of Deflection: Congestion Pricing Foes Stoke Fear of Subway Crime, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-14

On day three of congestion pricing, drivers hid plates to dodge tolls. Police caught two, but the city drags its feet. Placard abuse and fake plates undermine safety. Officials talk tough, but enforcement lags. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

This policy debate, dated January 8, 2025, centers on congestion pricing enforcement in New York City. The matter, titled 'Congestion Pricing: City Needs to Get Real With Plate, Placard Frauds,' highlights the city's weak response to license plate and placard fraud since the $9 toll launched. Council Member Vickie Paladino joked about sabotaging toll cameras, while Mayor Adams downplayed the issue. Transportation experts like Sam Schwartz called for stronger action: 'There’s a lot more the city can do.' The NYPD and Sanitation Department have removed some ghost plates, but enforcement remains patchy. Placard abuse and fake plates let drivers dodge tolls and traffic laws, eroding the policy’s impact. The anonymous watchdog Placard Corruption noted, 'Even a strong effort would probably take some time to reverse years of corruption.' Without real enforcement, the city’s most vulnerable—pedestrians and cyclists—remain at risk from unchecked, rule-breaking drivers.

• Congestion Pricing: City Needs to Get Real With Plate, Placard Frauds, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-08

Councilmember Vickie Paladino told New Yorkers to use lasers to wreck congestion pricing cameras. She mocked enforcement. She shared videos of vandalism abroad. Her words came as the MTA launched tolls. The city’s safety net for pedestrians and cyclists grows weaker.

On January 6, 2025, Councilmember Vickie Paladino (District 19, Queens) made a public statement opposing congestion pricing enforcement. She wrote on X, "a high-powered green laser pointer like the ones you find on eBay for under $30 can destroy a camera sensor." She added, "So if you buy one of these lasers, be sure to NOT point them at any cameras, because they could be permanently damaged!" Paladino also shared footage of vigilantes destroying enforcement cameras in London, warning, "it would be foolish to believe the same won't happen here in due time." Her comments came the day the MTA launched congestion pricing, which charges drivers to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. Paladino’s stance undermines the city’s efforts to control traffic and protect vulnerable road users. No safety analyst has yet assessed the direct impact, but weakening enforcement threatens those outside cars.

• Mad about congestion pricing? Maybe point lasers at the cameras, Queens lawmaker says, gothamist.com, Published 2025-01-06

On Christmas, Streetsblog and Streetfilms released a film showing the year’s wins for livable streets. The montage honors advocates and city leaders. It marks progress for safer roads. The message is clear: change is possible. The fight for safer streets continues.

This advocacy piece, published December 25, 2024, by Streetsblog NYC, is not a council bill but a year-end reflection on the livable streets movement. The article, titled 'On Christmas, Let’s Consider the Successes of the Livable Streets Movement,' features a short film by Clarence Eckerson Jr. and highlights the work of groups like OpenPlans, Streetfilms, and StreetsblogNYC. Mayor Adams, Zohran Mamdani, Vickie Paladino, Ydanis Rodriguez, and Governor Kathy Hochul are named as figures in the year’s news. The film and article celebrate progress in street safety and sustainable transportation, showing that advocacy can bring real change for vulnerable road users. No direct safety analyst note is included, but the message is one of hope and continued struggle for safer streets.

• On Christmas, Let’s Consider the Successes of the Livable Streets Movement, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-25

The 2024 Streetsie Awards cut through the noise. Streetsblog NYC named names. They praised wins—like jaywalking decriminalization and parking minimum cuts. They called out failures—delayed congestion pricing, weak bus lane enforcement, and slow bike lane rollouts. Progress, setbacks, and hard truths.

The 2024 Streetsie Awards, published December 24, 2024, by Streetsblog NYC, reviewed the year’s transportation policy. The article highlighted both progress and setbacks, stating: 'The 2024 Streetsie Awards by Streetsblog NYC review the year's best and worst in NYC transportation policy, highlighting key events, policies, and political actors.' Key actions included the City Council decriminalizing jaywalking and cutting mandatory parking minimums, though low-density areas were left out. Council Member Lincoln Restler lost his Transportation Committee seat despite pushing for citizen enforcement against illegal parking. Speaker Adrienne Adams, Comptroller Brad Lander, and Mayor Adams were all named for missed promises or weak follow-through. Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch’s crackdown on ghost plates drew praise. The review called out Gov. Hochul for delaying congestion pricing, then reversing course. The NYPD faced criticism for ignoring placard abuse and Vision Zero, and for deadly high-speed chases. The piece underscored the need for accountability and stronger action to protect vulnerable road users.

• And the Winners Are…: It’s Time for the 2024 Streetsie Awards!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-24

Council wants autism warning plaques on city streets. Parents could request signs. The bill sits in committee. Sponsors say it alerts drivers. No proven safety gain for children. The city keeps counting on signs. Streets stay dangerous.

Int 1142-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 19, 2024. The bill is titled, "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing child with autism warning plaques on streets." Council Member Kevin C. Riley is the primary sponsor, joined by Ariola, Joseph, Moya, Won, Banks, Narcisse, Paladino, and Marmorato. Their action: referral to committee. The bill requires the Department of Transportation to install warning plaques at the request of a parent or guardian. It details the process for requesting, installing, and removing these signs. The stated aim is to alert motorists to the presence of a child with autism. There is no evidence these plaques reduce crashes or protect children. The city continues to rely on signage, not street redesign, to address systemic danger.

• File Int 1142-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-19

Council grilled the Adams administration over a bill to license e-bikes and scooters. Supporters called it common sense. Critics warned it targets delivery workers. Tension ran high. Most deaths still come from cars, not bikes. The fight is far from over.

On December 11, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on a bill to require city-level licensing and registration for e-bikes and e-scooters not covered by state law. The bill, sponsored by Councilmember Bob Holden, claims to address 'the proliferation of these vehicles' and their impact on pedestrian and cyclist safety. Councilmember Vickie Paladino, District 19, insisted, 'This is a safety issue.' Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez countered, 'We agree with the intent, but we believe that mandating registration and licensing is not a solution.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams warned the bill would 'have a disparate impact on low-income individuals, people of color, and undocumented migrants.' A separate resolution from Councilmember Gale Brewer supports licensing only for commercial e-bikes. The hearing exposed deep rifts over enforcement, equity, and the real sources of street danger.

• NYC Council, Adams admin spar over license plates for e-bikes and e-scooters, gothamist.com, Published 2024-12-11

Council Member Paladino’s bid to ban e-bikes from city parks failed at Manhattan Community Board 2. Members called the bill vague, redundant, and unenforceable. Even e-bike skeptics dismissed it. The board demanded real solutions, not empty gestures or propaganda.

Bill number not specified. On December 10, 2024, Manhattan Community Board 2’s transportation and parks committees reviewed Council Member Vickie Paladino’s proposal to ban e-bikes from city parks. The committees voted overwhelmingly against it. The matter, described as an effort to 'make it more harmonious and safer for people in parks,' was criticized as 'not fleshed out.' Paladino, a Queens Republican, failed to provide data or address existing rules. Co-sponsor Gale Brewer admitted she signed on under pressure and doubted enforcement. Committee members Shirley Secunda, Susanna Aaron, Janet Liff, and Jeannine Kiely all voiced strong opposition, calling the bill redundant and inadequate. The Central Park Conservancy declined to endorse a ban, urging more protected bike lanes instead. The board found the proposal did nothing for safety and ignored systemic issues.

• ‘Not Fleshed Out’: Paladino’s E-Bike Ban Falls Flat at Manhattan Civic Panel, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-10

Council pushes Intro 606 to license e-bikes. Critics warn it targets immigrant delivery workers, not reckless drivers. Supporters cite safety, but data shows e-bikes cause few deaths. The bill risks criminalizing workers and fueling biased enforcement.

Intro 606, now before the New York City Council, would require all e-bikes to be registered and display license plates. The bill is supported by a majority of council members and discussed in recent committee hearings. The official summary states it aims to improve public safety. Council Member Vickie Paladino backs the bill, suggesting bike lane funds be diverted to its rollout. Speaker Adrienne Adams voiced concern for immigrant communities but did not address the bill's direct impact. Critics, including Michael Sisitzky of NYCLU and Luis Cortes of Los Deliveristas Unidos, warn the bill will lead to discriminatory policing and criminalize delivery workers. Experts say e-bikes are linked to a small share of road deaths, and the bill could expose immigrants to federal enforcement. The measure, they argue, misses the real dangers on city streets.

• ‘Trojan Horse’: E-Bike Licensing Bill Would Fuel Anti-Immigrant Policing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-10

Intro 606 would force e-bike riders to register and plate their bikes. Critics warn it targets immigrant delivery workers, not reckless drivers. Council debate rages. The bill ignores the real killers: cars. E-bikes cause few deaths. The danger remains unchecked.

Intro 606, now before the City Council, would require all e-bikes to be registered with the Department of Transportation and display license plates. The bill, debated on December 10, 2024, is backed by Council Member Bob Holden and mentioned by Chi Ossé of District 36. The matter summary states: 'A majority of NYC Council members support Intro 606, a bill requiring all e-bikes to be registered with the Department of Transportation and issued license plates.' Speaker Adrienne Adams voiced concern for immigrant communities but did not address the bill's direct impact. Council Member Vickie Paladino dismissed profiling worries, focusing instead on crime. Advocates and experts warn the bill could lead to discriminatory enforcement against immigrant delivery workers, exposing them to policing and immigration risks. Data shows e-bikes cause a tiny fraction of road deaths, while car drivers remain the main threat. The bill, critics say, misses the real danger.

• Trojan Horse': E-Bike Licensing Bill Would Fuel Anti-Immigrant Policing, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-12-10

A 2006 Infiniti raced north on Cross Island Parkway. Metal screamed, hips shattered. A 17-year-old boy, belted in front, was crushed by the impact. The car lay demolished in the dark, the night echoing with pain and ruin.

According to the police report, a 2006 Infiniti sedan was traveling north on Cross Island Parkway at 2:40 a.m. when it crashed at high speed. The report states the vehicle was moving with 'Unsafe Speed,' which is cited as a contributing factor. The right front bumper took the brunt of the impact, leaving the car 'demolished.' A 17-year-old front passenger suffered severe crush injuries to his hips and upper legs. He was wearing a lap belt and harness and remained conscious after the collision. The report also notes 'Tire Failure/Inadequate' as a secondary contributing factor. The narrative describes the violence of the crash: 'The right front hit hard. Metal folded. A 17-year-old boy, belted in front, screamed through crushed hips.' No actions by the passenger are listed as contributing to the crash. The focus remains on the excessive speed and mechanical failure that led to devastating harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773882, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council Member Vickie Paladino, once pro-car, now backs car-free school streets. Streets outside schools kill and injure. Cars bring danger. Remove them, kids breathe easier. Communities rally. The city inches closer to safe passage for its youngest walkers.

On November 15, 2024, Council Member Vickie Paladino publicly endorsed car-free school streets, as reported by Streetsblog NYC. The policy endorsement highlights the unique danger cars pose outside schools. The article states, 'streets in front of schools are uniquely dangerous.' Paladino, known for her pro-car stance, now supports removing cars from these zones. The matter underscores growing community action to reclaim streets for children. No formal bill number or committee is cited, but the shift signals momentum. The endorsement does not include a formal safety analyst note, but the message is clear: streets without cars are safer for kids. The push for car-free school streets gains a powerful ally.

• Friday Video: School Streetspalooza, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-15

A Queens councilmember’s outburst halted a public meeting on a 16-mile greenway. Shouting, shoving, and accusations filled the room. Officials postponed the session. The city now promises stricter rules. The fight over safer streets in Queens rages on.

On October 30, 2024, Councilmember Vickie Paladino (District 19) disrupted a public meeting on the planned 16-mile Queens Greenway expansion. The meeting, organized by the Department of Transportation, devolved into chaos after Paladino objected, claiming, 'We don't need that many bike lanes in District 19.' The event saw yelling, name-calling, and shoving, forcing officials to postpone. In response, DOT announced a new code of conduct for future meetings. Paladino insisted her district’s residents deserve a voice and opposed the project, saying, 'Some people were trying to shove the project down our throats.' The project aims to connect parks and create safer streets, but the debate exposed deep divisions over street safety and local control. No formal safety analysis was provided.

• After Queens lawmaker disrupts bike lane meeting, officials plan new 'code of conduct', gothamist.com, Published 2024-10-30

Council Member Vickie Paladino stormed a DOT workshop on the Queens Waterfront Greenway. She challenged the meeting’s format, urged opponents to walk out, and claimed bike lanes invite crime. Residents split. DOT defended its outreach. The fight for safer streets continues.

On October 28, 2024, Council Member Vickie Paladino (R-Whitestone) disrupted a Department of Transportation (DOT) workshop in Douglaston, Queens. The session focused on possible improvements to the Queens Waterfront Greenway. Paladino insisted, 'DOT did this meeting all wrong tonight,' and demanded a public hearing format. She encouraged greenway opponents to leave, sparking tension. Paladino argued, 'bike lanes are not presently being used here,' and claimed connecting neighborhoods via the greenway could facilitate crime. Some residents echoed her concerns about parking and outsiders, while others supported the project for better park access. DOT maintained the workshops were inclusive and aimed to gather community feedback. No formal bill or vote was recorded. The event highlights deep divides over public space and safety in Northeast Queens.

• Anti-Bike Queens Pol Sows Chaos at Queens Planning Session, Then Walks Out, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-28