Three Dead, Hundreds Hurt—City Lets Blood Spill on Jackson Avenue

Dec 5 - Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

Dec 4 - DOT built just 5.3 miles of new bus lanes in 2024. The law demands 30. Commissioner Rodriguez called it a great job. Critics slammed the city for falling short. Riders wait. Streets stay clogged. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On December 4, 2024, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the agency’s bus lane record before critics. The Streets Master Plan requires 30 new miles of bus lanes each year. In 2024, DOT delivered only 5.3 miles—just 17 percent of the legal mandate. Rodriguez claimed, “We are doing a great job,” citing national comparisons and blaming delays on community board processes and local opposition, especially around the 96th Street project. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, and State Sen. Zellnor Myrie condemned the city’s self-praise and legal failure. The matter title reads: ‘We Are Doing A Great Job’ … Falling Short of Bus Lane Requirement. Several projects are planned for 2025, but completion is uncertain. The city’s slow pace leaves bus riders and other vulnerable road users exposed to dangerous, congested streets.

• DOT Commish: ‘We Are Doing A Great Job’ … Falling Short of Bus Lane Requirement, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-04

Dec 3 - A moped rider suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a pickup truck made a right turn and struck the moped from behind on Jackson Avenue in Queens. The truck driver’s inattention caused the crash, leaving the rider in shock with abrasions.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:54 on Jackson Avenue in Queens. A 26-year-old male moped driver traveling north was struck from behind by a pickup truck also traveling north but making a right turn. The point of impact was the center front end of the moped and the center back end of the pickup truck. The moped driver sustained injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, described as abrasions, and was reported to be in shock. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the pickup truck driver, who was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision highlights the danger posed by distracted driving in vehicle maneuvers such as turning.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776113 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 3 - Six mayoral hopefuls faced off on transit. They promised bus lanes, free buses, and fair fares. Each slammed the mayor’s record. They called for less fare enforcement, more service. Riders, not drivers, took center stage. Words flew. Streets stayed dangerous.

On December 3, 2024, six candidates for New York City mayor—Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, and Jim Walden—spoke at a Riders Alliance forum. The event focused on transit policy. Candidates pledged support for bus lanes, free buses, expanded Fair Fares, and shifting gas tax funds to mass transit. Lander vowed to end subway and street homelessness for the severely mentally ill by connecting them to stable housing. Mamdani promised a world-class bus network. Myrie pushed for citywide bus lanes. Ramos called for automatic Fair Fares registration. Stringer backed more bus routes. Walden opposed fare evasion crackdowns, urging resources go to service instead. All criticized Mayor Adams’ record on bus lanes and congestion pricing. The forum highlighted a united front for safer, more accessible transit, but offered no immediate relief for vulnerable road users.

• Promises, Promises: What the Candidates Said At The Transit Forum, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-03

Nov 25 - A moped driver was ejected and seriously injured after a collision with an SUV making a left turn on 21st Street in Queens. The SUV driver failed to yield right-of-way, striking the moped head-on and causing severe leg injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:45 AM on 21st Street near 43rd Avenue in Queens. A 25-year-old male moped driver, traveling southbound, was struck at the center front end by a northwestern-bound SUV making a left turn. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The moped driver was ejected from his vehicle, sustaining fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The moped driver was wearing a helmet at the time. The SUV's right front bumper collided with the moped's center front end, indicating the SUV's left turn crossed the moped's path. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the moped driver's actions. The crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to yield during left turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775581 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 22 - A distracted driver caused a violent collision between a pick-up truck and an SUV in Queens. The SUV driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles sustained front and rear damage. The crash exposed dangers of inattention behind the wheel.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:36 on 21st Street near Jackson Avenue in Queens. A pick-up truck traveling south struck the rear of a station wagon/SUV making a left turn southeast. The point of impact was the center front end of the truck and the center back end of the SUV. The driver of the SUV, a 57-year-old male occupant, was injured with back pain and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the collision, indicating a failure to maintain focus on the road. The SUV driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. This crash underscores the systemic danger posed by distracted driving in urban traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773836 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 21 - Council weighs Adams’s City of Yes plan. Mayoral challengers back the original, urge no watering down. They want housing, not parking. Council may weaken it. The fight is over homes versus cars. Vulnerable road users watch as parking mandates hang in the balance.

On November 21, 2024, the City Council debated Mayor Adams’s City of Yes zoning proposal, which aims to boost housing and scrap mandatory parking citywide. The Council may weaken the plan by creating a three-tiered system, risking fewer new homes. Mayoral challengers Zellnor Myrie, Brad Lander, Scott Stringer, Jessica Ramos, and Zohran Mamdani—all Democrats—strongly support the original plan. Myrie urges, 'resist efforts to revise the proposal in any way that would yield fewer homes.' Lander calls for ending exclusionary zoning and prioritizing housing over parking. Stringer calls the plan a 'small step.' Mamdani opposes changes that reduce housing or water down parking elimination. Ramos would vote yes but wants to protect neighborhood character. The Council’s decision will shape the city’s streets, homes, and the future for those outside cars.

• What Do the Mayoral Candidates Think Of ‘City of Yes’?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-21

Nov 13 - Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

Oct 27 - A pick-up truck merging unsafely struck the right side of an SUV on Jackson Avenue in Queens. The SUV driver suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation. Both drivers were licensed men from New Jersey. The crash caused serious injury and vehicle damage.

According to the police report, at 13:21 on Jackson Avenue in Queens, a pick-up truck traveling west merged unsafely and collided with the right side doors of a westbound SUV. The SUV driver, a 35-year-old licensed male from New Jersey, was injured with a fractured, distorted, and dislocated shoulder. The report cites "Unsafe Lane Changing" as the contributing factor, indicating the pick-up truck driver’s error in merging. The SUV driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was conscious after the crash. Both vehicles sustained damage at the points of impact: the pick-up truck’s left front bumper and the SUV’s right side doors. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766795 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 1 - Governor Hochul stalls congestion pricing, leaving MTA riders in limbo. The pause threatens subway and bus service. Advocates demand any replacement funds boost operations, not highways. Riders need frequent, affordable transit—not more gridlock and pollution.

This editorial, published October 1, 2024, addresses Governor Hochul’s decision to pause congestion pricing and seek alternative funding for the MTA’s $15-billion capital plan. The article states: “If the governor wants to do the MTA and riders a favor, she should use the money she finds to instead boost MTA operations.” Author Samuel Santaella criticizes Hochul’s move, arguing it jeopardizes service for working-class New Yorkers. Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani and State Senator Michael Gianaris are cited as proponents of fare-free buses, while Riders Alliance pushes for six-minute service. The piece urges Hochul to reject highway expansions and instead invest in frequent, affordable transit. The editorial frames this as a fight for clean air, equity, and safety for all New Yorkers who rely on public transportation.

• OPINION: Any Money Hochul Finds to ‘Replace’ Congestion Pricing Should Fund Fares and Frequency, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-01

Sep 27 - A motorbike slammed into right-side doors on 43 Avenue. The unlicensed rider, age 20, suffered knee and leg wounds. Police cite aggressive driving and unsafe speed. No one else was hurt.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old unlicensed motorbike driver was injured in a crash on 43 Avenue in Queens at 1:25 a.m. The 2023 ZHEN motorbike, heading west, struck the right side doors. The rider was not ejected and remained conscious, but suffered abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The driver had no valid license. No other vehicles, pedestrians, or passengers were involved. Driver errors—aggressive behavior and speeding—are named as central causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760274 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 26 - Council pushes Albany to let New York City ticket drivers who block bike lanes. Cameras would catch violators. Cyclists face death and injury. Lawmakers want action. Streets remain dangerous. The fight for safety continues.

Resolution 0574-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced September 26, 2024, it urges passage of S.5008A/A.803A. The resolution calls for a 'bicycle lane safety program...to enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Council Members Shahana K. Hanif (primary sponsor), Lincoln Restler, and Erik D. Bottcher back the measure. The bill would let New York City use cameras to fine drivers who invade bike lanes. Cyclists are killed and injured when cars block their space. The council demands Albany act to protect vulnerable road users.

• File Res 0574-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - Council pushes Albany to let New York City ticket drivers who block bike lanes. Cameras would catch violators. Cyclists face death and injury. Lawmakers want action. Streets remain dangerous. The fight for safety continues.

Resolution 0574-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced September 26, 2024, it urges passage of S.5008A/A.803A. The resolution calls for a 'bicycle lane safety program...to enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Council Members Shahana K. Hanif (primary sponsor), Lincoln Restler, and Erik D. Bottcher back the measure. The bill would let New York City use cameras to fine drivers who invade bike lanes. Cyclists are killed and injured when cars block their space. The council demands Albany act to protect vulnerable road users.

• File Res 0574-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - Council pushes Albany to let New York City ticket drivers who block bike lanes. Cameras would catch violators. Cyclists face deadly risk. Lawmakers demand action. Streets must protect the vulnerable.

Resolution 0574-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced September 26, 2024, it urges passage of S.5008A/A.803A. The measure calls for a 'bicycle lane safety program' using cameras to enforce bike lane rules. Council Members Shahana K. Hanif (primary sponsor), Lincoln Restler, and Erik D. Bottcher back the resolution. The text states: 'enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' The council demands Albany act. Cyclists die while drivers block lanes. The bill aims to hold motorists accountable and protect those most at risk.

• File Res 0574-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 18 - A 22-year-old man suffered a hip and upper leg contusion after a vehicle struck him at a Queens intersection. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the pedestrian bruised but conscious late at night on Jackson Avenue.

According to the police report, at 10:45 p.m. on Jackson Avenue in Queens, a pedestrian was injured when a vehicle traveling east struck him at an intersection. The pedestrian, a 22-year-old male, sustained a contusion to his hip and upper leg and remained conscious after the impact. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash, repeated twice, underscoring the driver's failure to maintain focus. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The vehicle involved was unspecified in type and had no occupants other than the driver. This crash highlights the deadly consequences of distracted driving in urban settings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757848 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 10 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-10

Sep 5 - A 32-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by an eastbound SUV making a left turn. The pedestrian suffered abrasions to her elbow and lower arm. The driver’s inattention caused the collision at a Queens intersection.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing at an intersection on 44 Drive near Hunter Street in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when she was struck by a 2020 Toyota SUV traveling eastbound and making a left turn. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian sustained abrasions to her elbow and lower arm and remained conscious after the collision. The report explicitly cites driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash. The vehicle sustained no damage. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in intersections, where vulnerable pedestrians are at risk despite following crossing signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753968 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 3 - G train rolls again. After months of silence, trains run from Queens to Brooklyn. Riders endured shuttle buses, slow streets, no dedicated lanes. Council Member Restler praises upgrades, slams city for missing bus lanes. Modern signals promise speed, but funding future hangs in balance.

On September 3, 2024, the G train returned to full service after a summer shutdown for signal modernization. The $368 million project, led by the MTA, replaced century-old signals with Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC), aiming for faster, more reliable service. Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) praised the MTA’s handling and shuttle bus communication but criticized the city for not creating dedicated bus lanes during the closure, saying, 'They expressed dismay, however, that the city had not constructed a dedicated lane so shuttle buses could move faster.' Restler called for renewed investment in the MTA, including the resumption of congestion pricing, to fund future upgrades. The project continues through 2027, but no more full shutdowns are planned. The lack of bus lanes during the outage left vulnerable riders exposed to slow, crowded streets.

• Back on track: G train returns to full service following summer shutdown, amny.com, Published 2024-09-03

Aug 25 - SUV stopped on Queens Boulevard. Garbage truck struck from behind. Defective brakes and distraction listed. Woman driver hurt. Back pain and whiplash. Night crash. System failed her.

According to the police report, a crash occurred at 11:40 PM on Queens Boulevard near Jackson Avenue. An SUV, stopped in traffic, was struck in the rear by a garbage truck. The SUV driver, a 48-year-old woman, suffered back injuries and whiplash. The report cites 'Brakes Defective' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The garbage truck sustained front-end damage. The system failed to prevent danger. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The victim was conscious and restrained. The crash highlights mechanical failure and driver error.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751154 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18