No More Dead Kids: Hold Paladino Accountable for Traffic Violence

A Jeep veered on Cross Island Parkway. It struck a man fixing his Ford. Steel crushed his pelvis. He stayed awake. Pain did not leave. Unsafe lane change left him broken on the roadside.

A 39-year-old man was working on his parked Ford SUV on Cross Island Parkway when a Jeep SUV, changing lanes, veered and struck him. According to the police report, "Unsafe Lane Changing" was the contributing factor. The impact crushed the man's pelvis, causing severe injuries. The police report states he remained conscious after the crash. The man was not at an intersection and was engaged in vehicle repair when the collision occurred. No errors are attributed to the pedestrian. The crash involved two SUVs, with the Jeep’s right front bumper hitting the Ford’s rear. No helmet or signal issues are listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4634253, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Kawasaki hit an SUV turning left on 150th Street. The rider, 25, flew off, struck the pavement, and never woke up. Head trauma killed him. Driver inexperience played a role. The street stayed silent after the crash.

A fatal crash unfolded at 150th Street and 20th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, a Kawasaki motorcycle struck an SUV making a left turn. The 25-year-old motorcyclist was ejected and suffered fatal head trauma. He was found unconscious and did not survive. The SUV driver was not seriously hurt. The police report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. The report also notes the motorcyclist wore no helmet, but this is mentioned only after the driver error. No pedestrians were involved. The crash ended a young life and exposed the danger of left turns and inexperience on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4630448, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Ford pickup, speeding and changing lanes, slammed into a Lexus SUV on Clearview Expressway. Two men, trapped in their seats, suffered crush injuries. Metal pinned them. Pain did not let go. Unsafe speed turned steel into a cage.

Two men, aged 60 and 40, were injured on Clearview Expressway when a Ford pickup, moving at unsafe speed, changed lanes and crashed into a Lexus SUV from behind. According to the police report, 'A Ford pickup, changing lanes too fast, slammed into a Lexus SUV from behind. Two men, 60 and 40, were crushed in their seats. Both conscious. Both broken.' The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. Both drivers were pinned and suffered crush injuries to their entire bodies but remained conscious. The data shows no contributing factors from the victims. The force of the impact and the listed driver error show the systemic danger on this stretch of road.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4628352, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Hyundai SUV turned right. The driver looked away. The front end hit a 62-year-old woman in the face. Blood poured. She stayed conscious. The SUV showed no damage. Distraction behind the wheel left her bleeding in the street.

A Hyundai SUV made a right turn on Jordan Street near 35th Avenue in Queens. The driver struck a 62-year-old woman crossing the street. According to the police report, 'A Hyundai SUV turned right. A 62-year-old woman crossing the street took the front end to her face. Blood poured. She stayed conscious. The SUV stood clean. The driver had looked away.' The woman suffered severe bleeding to her face but remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The SUV sustained no visible damage. No other contributing factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4626398, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Hyundai veered on the Long Island Expressway. Metal tore. The driver, alone, slammed hard. Blood pooled from her pelvis. She sat stunned, strapped in, as traffic thundered past. The night swallowed her pain.

A single-car crash unfolded westbound on the Long Island Expressway at 1:49 a.m. A 30-year-old woman, driving a Hyundai sedan, swerved in reaction to an uninvolved vehicle. According to the police report, 'A Hyundai swerved from a phantom car. Metal screamed. The driver, 30, belted and alone, bled from the pelvis. She sat in shock.' The report lists 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors. The driver suffered severe bleeding to the pelvis and was in shock. No other road users were involved or injured. The data notes the driver was wearing a lap belt and harness.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4626320, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council moved to ban driving with fake or expired plates. Civil fines would hit drivers hard. Sponsors spanned the city. The bill died at session’s end. Streets remain exposed to untraceable cars and reckless drivers.

Int 0987-2023 was introduced in the New York City Council on April 11, 2023, and referred to the Committee on Public Safety. The bill aimed to prohibit operating a motor vehicle with fraudulent or expired license plates, including temporary ones. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle with fraudulent or expired license plates.' Civil penalties ranged from $300 to $1,000, with a 10-day cure period for expired plates. The bill was sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over thirty council members, including Feliz, Salamanca, Powers, Yeger, Menin, and others, as well as the Brooklyn and Bronx Borough Presidents. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023, and did not become law. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• File Int 0987-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-11

Ben Turner, Bayside resident, calls out Council Member Paladino’s stance against congestion pricing. He says most locals ride transit, not drive. Turner links car traffic to slow buses, pedestrian deaths, and asthma. He urges the city to cut car use for safety and health.

This editorial, published March 13, 2023, addresses the debate over congestion pricing in northeastern Queens. Ben Turner, a Bayside resident, challenges Council Member Vickie Paladino’s opposition, arguing she misrepresents her district. Turner writes, 'Congestion pricing is a step in the right direction for northeastern Queens.' He claims most commuters use public transit, while drivers into Manhattan are wealthier. Turner highlights the toll of car dominance: traffic, slow buses, pedestrian fatalities, and childhood asthma. He insists that reducing car use will free up space, improve safety, and boost quality of life. Turner’s stance: congestion pricing is vital for safer, healthier streets.

• EASTERN QUEENS SPEAKS: Congestion Tolls Help Us, Despite What Our Pols Say, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-13

A 67-year-old woman crossed 14th Avenue with the signal. A westbound SUV struck her head with its right front bumper. She bled, conscious, on the street. The driver failed to yield. The crash left the road stained and silent.

A 67-year-old woman was injured while crossing 14th Avenue at 127th Street. According to the police report, she was walking with the signal when a westbound 2021 Honda SUV hit her in the head with its right front bumper. She suffered severe lacerations but remained conscious at the scene. The report states, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver, a man alone in the vehicle, did not yield to the pedestrian. The woman was following the signal. No injuries were reported for the driver. The crash highlights the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls and fail to yield to people crossing the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4611190, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Doug Gordon shreds Council Member Vickie Paladino’s attacks on bike lanes and safe streets. He exposes her misinformation, backs up bike lanes with hard data, and calls for real, data-driven policy. The piece rejects fear-mongering and centers public safety.

This opinion response, published February 10, 2023, addresses Council Member Vickie Paladino’s public statements against bike lanes, congestion pricing, and safe streets advocacy. Doug Gordon, writing in Streetsblog NYC, systematically rebuts Paladino’s claims, stating, “Everything Paladino proposes here is unserious, doesn’t exist in any city that has successfully integrated cycling into its transportation system and has been thoroughly debunked going back years.” Gordon cites polling and Department of Transportation data to show broad support for protected bike lanes and the effectiveness of speed cameras. He challenges Paladino’s push for cyclist licensing and increased law enforcement, urging her to listen to transportation experts and everyday New Yorkers. The piece calls for pragmatic, data-driven policy and highlights the need to reallocate street space for safer, more efficient travel.

• Opinion: Debunking the Lies of Vickie Paladino is Crucial to Understanding the Bikelash, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-10

Council Member Vickie Paladino slams street safety advocates. She backs speed bumps and tougher NYPD enforcement but fights bike lanes, speed cameras, and congestion pricing. Paladino demands cyclist licensing and more local control. She calls activists’ goals radical and out of touch.

On January 20, 2023, Council Member Vickie Paladino (R-Queens) issued a public statement criticizing New York City’s transportation policy. The statement, not tied to a specific bill or committee, appeared in Streetsblog NYC. Paladino declared, 'The goals of these activists are clear, unambiguous, and radical; the elimination of private vehicle ownership in NYC, and the closing of most city roads to any vehicle traffic at all.' She opposes congestion pricing, speed cameras, and the expansion of bike lanes and open streets. Paladino supports speed bumps, raised crossings, and increased NYPD traffic enforcement. She calls for licensing, registration, and insurance for cyclists. Paladino also urges more investment in public transit and a full MTA audit. She insists roads should serve commerce and warns against policies that restrict private or commercial vehicles.

• Op/Ed: Council Member Decries the Livable Streets Movement as ‘Radicals’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-20

Council bill Int 0883-2023 sought to double fines for e-bike and e-scooter violations. It aimed to restore impoundment powers and repeal recent legal protections. The measure targeted riders, not drivers. The bill died at session’s end. Vulnerable users remain exposed.

Int 0883-2023 was introduced in the City Council on January 19, 2023, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill proposed to amend the administrative code by expanding the definition of 'motorized scooter' to include e-bikes and e-scooters, raising civil penalties for violations from $250 to $500, and restoring impoundment authority. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the operation of motorized scooters, and to repeal subdivision e of section 19-176.2 of such code, relating to operators of electric scooters and bicycles with electric assist.' Council Members Althea V. Stevens (primary sponsor), Robert F. Holden, Inna Vernikov, Joann Ariola, Vickie Paladino, Pierina Ana Sanchez, Kalman Yeger, and James F. Gennaro sponsored the bill. The bill was filed at the end of the session on December 31, 2023, and did not advance. No safety analyst assessment was provided. The bill’s focus was on enforcement and penalties, not on systemic danger from cars.

• File Int 0883-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-01-19

A 62-year-old man rode his e-bike north on College Point Boulevard. He struck something hidden in the dark. His head hit hard. Blood pooled on cold asphalt. He lay still under blinking lights. The street stayed silent.

A 62-year-old man riding an e-bike northbound on College Point Boulevard near 30th Avenue was killed after striking an unseen object. According to the police report, 'A 62-year-old man on an e-bike struck something unseen in the dark. No helmet. Head split open. Blood pooled on cold asphalt. He lay still. The streetlights blinked. He never got up.' The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The man suffered fatal head injuries and was found unconscious at the scene. No other vehicles or people were reported injured. The police noted the absence of a helmet, but only after listing rider confusion as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4599746, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan turns left on Bayside Avenue. A 74-year-old man crosses with the signal. Metal strikes flesh. His shoulder breaks. He falls. The driver stays. The street falls silent.

A 1999 Toyota sedan struck a 74-year-old man crossing Bayside Avenue at 154th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the sedan, making a left turn, hit him. The man suffered a broken shoulder. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The driver remained at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The crash shows the danger when drivers fail to yield to pedestrians, even when signals are clear.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4594559, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 20-year-old man stood near parked cars. Two SUVs trapped him. Metal slammed flesh. His hip shattered. His leg broke. He lay conscious in the cold. The night was quiet. The road was not.

A 20-year-old pedestrian was crushed between two SUVs on Cross Island Parkway. According to the police report, the man suffered a shattered hip and broken leg. He remained conscious after the impact. The crash involved a BMW SUV moving straight ahead and two parked SUVs. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the data. The injured man was not at an intersection and was engaged in 'Other Actions in Roadway.' No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report. The force of two SUVs left the pedestrian with severe crush injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4589526, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council members want voters to decide on the MTA’s congestion pricing plan. The resolution calls for a statewide ballot. Sponsors cite risks to outer-borough communities and doubt traffic will drop. The measure is filed, not enacted. Streets stay dangerous.

Resolution 0419-2022, filed by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, urges the New York State Legislature to require a statewide ballot proposal before the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s congestion pricing plan—known as the Central Business District Tolling Program—can proceed. Introduced December 7, 2022, and filed at session’s end, the resolution states: “calls upon the New York State Legislature to amend state law to make implementation of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s congestion pricing plan... subject to a statewide ballot proposal.” Council Member Kamillah Hanks led sponsorship, joined by Borelli, Carr, Louis, Yeger, Ariola, and Paladino. The sponsors raise concerns about pollution, health, and traffic impacts on outer-borough communities. The measure questions whether congestion pricing will cut traffic or fund transit improvements. No direct safety impact for vulnerable road users is assessed. The bill remains filed, with no further action.

• File Res 0419-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2022-12-07

An Audi SUV hit a woman in the crosswalk on Willets Point Boulevard. She crossed with the light. The driver failed to yield. The impact broke her body. Pain followed. The street stayed loud. The right-of-way was hers. It was not given.

A 40-year-old woman was crossing Willets Point Boulevard at 149th Street in Queens with the signal when an Audi SUV struck her. According to the police report, 'She crossed with the light. The Audi came fast, struck her center mass. Her body broke. Pain bloomed. The driver kept straight. The right-of-way was hers. It was not given.' The pedestrian suffered injuries to her entire body and was listed with apparent death at the scene. The driver, a 46-year-old woman, was operating the vehicle eastbound and failed to yield the right-of-way, as noted in both the police report and crash data. The only contributing factor listed is 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4579141, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan sped down 11th Avenue. The unlicensed driver never braked. He struck a 12-year-old boy crossing. The boy’s body took the full force. He stayed conscious, crushed and hurt. The car rolled on, untouched. The street stayed silent.

A 12-year-old boy was struck and injured by a speeding sedan on 11th Avenue. According to the police report, the unlicensed driver never braked and hit the child as he crossed the street. The boy suffered crush injuries to his entire body but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor. The sedan showed no damage. The driver was unlicensed, which is noted in the official data. The police report states, 'A speeding sedan struck a 12-year-old boy crossing against the light. The unlicensed driver never braked. The boy took the hit full on. His body crushed. He stayed conscious. The car showed no damage.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4578386, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

The Council passed Int 0291-2022, forcing city agencies to map, plan, and report on greenways. The law demands annual updates and public engagement. It aims to carve out safe, car-free corridors for walkers and cyclists. The mayor returned it unsigned.

Int 0291-2022, now Local Law 115 of 2022, was enacted by the City Council on November 27, 2022. The bill came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, first introduced April 28, 2022. The law's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a citywide greenway plan.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers sponsored the bill, joined by dozens of co-sponsors including Rivera, Hudson, and others. The Council voted overwhelmingly in favor on October 27, 2022. The law orders the Department of Transportation and Parks to identify, map, and report on greenways, and to consult with community boards. Proposals for new greenway segments or repairs must be presented to affected communities within 60 days. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it became law. The measure compels the city to plan and maintain safe routes for non-drivers, with regular public reporting and accountability.

• File Int 0291-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2022-10-27

A GMC SUV, changing lanes on Linden Place, struck a 58-year-old man. The driver was distracted. The man died in the street. Two others were hurt. Unsafe speed and inattention left no room for mercy. The city swallowed another life.

A 58-year-old pedestrian was killed on Linden Place when a northbound GMC SUV, changing lanes, struck him in the head. According to the police report, the driver was distracted and traveling at unsafe speed. The man died at the scene. Two passengers, ages 16 and 20, were also injured. The crash involved two SUVs, one moving, one parked. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was engaged in 'Other Actions in Roadway.' The report does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors. The collision left a trail of injury and death, all traced to driver error.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4574337, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A parked Lexus sat crushed on Murray Street. The left side caved in. A man inside showed no signs of life. The street held its breath. No movement. No answers. Only the wreck and the silence remained.

A deadly crash struck a parked Lexus sedan on Murray Street. According to the police report, a man was found lifeless inside the vehicle, which had its left side crushed. The report states, 'A man sat lifeless in a parked Lexus, no seatbelt, no movement. The left side was crushed.' Both the contributing factors and the identity of the striking vehicle remain unspecified in the data. The victim, a 36-year-old man, was not wearing safety equipment, as noted in the report, but no driver errors or external causes are listed. The crash left the scene silent, with only the wreckage and the unanswered questions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4562674, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15