Sunnyside Bleeds While City Sleeps: Drop the Speed, Save a Life

Assembly bill A 803 aims to keep cars out of bike lanes. Cameras would catch violators. Streets could clear. Cyclists might breathe easier. Lawmakers back the crackdown. The fight for safe passage continues.

Assembly bill A 803, now in sponsorship, proposes a bicycle lane safety program for New York City. It would enforce restrictions on bike lane use with photo devices. The bill summary reads: 'Establishes in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and/or protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Primary sponsor Zohran Mamdani leads, joined by Brian Cunningham, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Harvey Epstein, Amy Paulin, and others. The bill was introduced January 8, 2025. No safety analyst note was provided. The measure targets drivers who block or endanger cyclists.

• File A 803, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly crossings for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, forces the Department of Transportation to install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. The bill, sponsored by Farah N. Louis (primary) and co-sponsored by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, Ariola, and others, passed on March 15, 2025. The law demands annual reporting on compliance and reasons for any delay. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Quick, visible lines cut confusion and protect people crossing or riding. The law took effect immediately.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-08

A westbound SUV struck the left rear quarter panel of a box truck on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Two female passengers in the SUV suffered whiplash and injuries to back and arm. Both were conscious and restrained at the time of impact.

According to the police report, at 20:13 a westbound station wagon/SUV collided with the left rear quarter panel of a box truck traveling in the same direction on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The SUV driver was going straight ahead while the truck was changing lanes. The point of impact and vehicle damage indicate the SUV struck the truck from behind on its left side. Two female occupants of the SUV, ages 20 and 21, were injured with whiplash and injuries to the back and elbow-lower-arm-hand. Both were conscious and properly restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report lists no contributing factors for the crash, but the truck driver's lane change and the SUV driver's failure to avoid rear-ending the truck are implicated by the collision details. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782781 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moving SUV rear-ended a parked SUV on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The crash broke a driver’s arm and left a passenger scraped. Police cite following too closely and other vehicular errors.

According to the police report, a 2021 Honda SUV traveling westbound on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway struck the right rear bumper of a parked 2015 Honda SUV at 4:11 AM. The impact injured the 36-year-old male driver of the parked vehicle, causing a fracture and dislocation to his arm, and left a 43-year-old female passenger with abrasions. Both were conscious and restrained. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors, pointing to driver error by the moving SUV. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The collision underscores the risks posed by driver mistakes on high-speed expressways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781955 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 66-year-old woman crossing at an intersection in Queens was struck by an e-scooter. She suffered facial contusions and bruises but remained conscious. The crash highlights dangers posed by motorized scooters sharing pedestrian spaces at night.

According to the police report, a 66-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 39-53 50 Street in Queens around 9 p.m. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk when she was struck by an e-scooter. The victim sustained facial contusions and bruises and was conscious at the scene. The report does not list any contributing factors from the pedestrian or the e-scooter driver, nor does it specify driver errors such as failure to yield. However, the collision occurred at night, and the presence of a motorized scooter in pedestrian space underscores systemic risks. No helmet or safety equipment was noted for the pedestrian, but this was not cited as a contributing factor. The incident reflects ongoing dangers of e-scooters operating near vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782762 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Queens crash between an SUV and a sedan injured a front-seat passenger. The collision struck the sedan’s left side and the SUV’s front center. Driver distraction was cited as a contributing factor, causing abrasions and an eye injury to the passenger.

According to the police report, the collision occurred on 47 Avenue in Queens at 18:21. The crash involved a 2018 Ford SUV traveling east and a 2011 Honda sedan traveling north. The SUV struck the sedan on the left side doors with its center front end. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error as a key cause. The injured party was a female front-seat passenger in the SUV, who sustained an eye injury and abrasions but was conscious and not ejected. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The damage to both vehicles was concentrated on the SUV’s center front and the sedan’s left side doors, confirming the point of impact. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780083 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two occupants suffered abrasions and full-body injuries after a sedan and tractor truck collided while both made left turns on Queens Boulevard. The crash involved improper turning maneuvers, striking the sedan’s right front bumper and the truck’s trailer.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:20 on Queens Boulevard in Queens. Both vehicles—a 2019 sedan and a 2022 tractor truck—were making left turns when the collision happened. The tractor truck impacted the sedan’s right front bumper with its trailer. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' as the primary contributing factor for both drivers. The sedan carried two occupants, a male driver and a female front passenger, both aged 34, who sustained abrasions and injuries to their entire bodies but were conscious and not ejected. Both occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The tractor truck had one licensed male driver. The data highlights driver errors in executing left turns, leading to the crash and injuries, without attributing fault to any other factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779052 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 24-year-old man suffered upper leg injuries after a vehicle making a left turn struck him at a Queens intersection. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the pedestrian in shock and pain without vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:00 AM on 48th Street in Queens near the Long Island Expressway. The pedestrian, a 24-year-old male, was crossing the intersection when the vehicle, traveling east and making a left turn, struck him with the center front end. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the collision. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his hip and upper leg, experienced shock, and complained of pain and nausea. The vehicle sustained no damage. No pedestrian errors or contributing factors were noted in the report. The driver’s failure to maintain attention while turning directly led to the pedestrian’s injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779581 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 65-year-old man suffered a head contusion while crossing at an intersection in Queens. He was conscious but injured. The crash involved an unspecified vehicle. No driver errors or contributing factors were reported in the police data.

According to the police report, a 65-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 50 Street and Skillman Avenue in Queens at 5:00 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when struck by an unspecified vehicle. The victim sustained a head injury classified as a contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No information on the vehicle type, driver behavior, or other circumstances was provided. The data focuses on the pedestrian’s injury and crossing behavior, with no indication of fault or contributing actions by the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778333 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council Member Julie Won pushes a bill to ban parking near all intersections. The move targets deadly blind spots. Advocates demand faster action. DOT lags behind. Intersections remain killing grounds for children and pedestrians. The city stalls. Lives hang in the balance.

On December 6, 2024, Council Member Julie Won (D-Queens) introduced a bill to ban parking within 20 feet of all intersections citywide—a measure known as daylighting. The bill, now before the City Council, would require the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections per year. The matter summary states: 'Parking right up against intersections blocks sight lines for pedestrians and drivers, leading to people to have to peak out into the street to see oncoming traffic.' Won said, 'Daylighting saves lives.' Advocates like Jackson Chabot of Open Plans back the bill, citing slow DOT progress and urgent need. Intersections account for 55 percent of pedestrian deaths and 79 percent of injuries, according to DOT. The bill follows a year of tragic child deaths and mounting public pressure for universal daylighting.

• Daylight Again! Council Seeks Universal Parking Ban At Intersections, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-06

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

A distracted driver making a right turn struck a 36-year-old female bicyclist traveling straight on Skillman Avenue in Queens. The cyclist was ejected and suffered back injuries, shock, and complaints of pain or nausea.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:54 AM on Skillman Avenue in Queens. The driver, while making a right turn, was inattentive and distracted, which led to the collision with a bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The bicyclist, a 36-year-old woman, was ejected from her bike and sustained back injuries, shock, and complaints of pain or nausea. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet, but no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The vehicle involved in the crash had damage to the left front bumper, confirming the point of impact. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775919 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A pickup truck slammed into a taxi on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The impact struck a 75-year-old man seated in the taxi’s back seat. He suffered fatal head and internal injuries. The pickup driver lost consciousness during the crash.

According to the police report, a pickup truck traveling westbound on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway collided with a taxi. The pickup's center front end struck the taxi's right rear bumper. Inside the taxi, a 75-year-old man seated in the middle rear seat took the blow to his head. The report states, "A pickup struck a taxi. A 75-year-old man in the back seat took the blow with his head. He did not fly through glass. He stayed in place. His body broke inside. He died there." The contributing factor cited is "Lost Consciousness" by the pickup driver. No victim behavior was listed as contributing. The crash caused fatal internal and head injuries to the passenger, highlighting the deadly consequences of driver incapacitation behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773163 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 23-year-old male motorcyclist suffered a fractured and dislocated elbow after a crash in Queens. The rider, wearing a helmet, was conscious and not ejected. The motorcycle sustained front-end damage. Police report lists unspecified contributing factors.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male motorcycle driver was injured in a crash in Queens at 3:00 PM. The rider was wearing a helmet and remained conscious after the collision. The injury included a fracture, distortion, and dislocation of the elbow, lower arm, and hand. The motorcycle, a 2011 Honda, was traveling south going straight ahead and sustained damage to its center front end. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified, indicating no explicit driver errors or victim behaviors were identified. The rider was not ejected from the vehicle. The crash location was near 53-26 Van Dam Street in Queens. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved or injured according to the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773924 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A 28-year-old female bicyclist suffered facial injuries and minor bleeding after a collision caused by driver inattention. The crash occurred near 39-37 47 Ave in Queens. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet and was not ejected from her bike.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 7:30 near 39-37 47 Ave in Queens involving a female bicyclist traveling west. The bicyclist, aged 28, sustained facial injuries and minor bleeding, and was in shock but not ejected from her bike. The report identifies driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor to the crash. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet, but no other contributing factors related to the victim were noted. The vehicle involved was a bike traveling straight ahead, with impact to the left front bumper. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers, as documented in the police data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771441 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan collided with a southbound moped on Borden Avenue, injuring the moped driver. The driver was partially ejected and suffered contusions to the lower leg. Police cited driver inattention and improper lane usage as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:20 on Borden Avenue in Queens. A sedan traveling south struck a moped also heading south. The moped driver, a 25-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained contusions and bruises to the knee, lower leg, and foot. The report identifies the sedan driver’s errors as 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The sedan’s point of impact was the right side doors, indicating a side collision with the moped. The moped driver was wearing a helmet, but the report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The collision caused injury severity level 3 to the moped driver, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving and improper lane use in vehicle-moped crashes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770362 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An SUV collided with an e-bike on Borden Ave, ejecting the bicyclist and causing a severe hip and leg fracture. The driver disregarded traffic controls, leading to a violent impact that left the rider unconscious and injured.

According to the police report, at 3:13 AM on Borden Ave near Greenpoint Ave, a 2022 Toyota SUV traveling east struck a southbound e-bike. The bicyclist, a 44-year-old man wearing a helmet, was ejected from his bike and suffered a fractured, distorted, and dislocated injury to his hip and upper leg. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to obey traffic signals or signs. The SUV's center front end struck the e-bike's right front bumper, causing the bicyclist to become unconscious. The SUV had two occupants, and the driver was licensed in New York. No contributing factors were listed for the bicyclist. This crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers ignoring traffic controls, resulting in severe injuries to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769339 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV driver lost focus. Struck a man outside the crosswalk. The man’s knee and leg took the blow. He went into shock. No damage to the car. The street left the pedestrian exposed.

According to the police report, a licensed male driver in a 2023 Mercedes SUV was traveling east near 45-07 47 Avenue in Queens when he struck a male pedestrian who was not at an intersection. The impact hit the pedestrian’s right front quarter panel. The man suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and entered shock, reporting pain and nausea. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, showing the driver failed to stay alert. 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' is also noted, but the primary cause remains the driver’s distraction. The SUV showed no damage, highlighting the pedestrian’s vulnerability.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770948 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 59-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a sedan making a left turn hit her at an intersection in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. The driver’s left front bumper struck her, causing semiconsciousness and minor bleeding.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on 47 Street in Queens was making a left turn when it struck a 59-year-old female pedestrian crossing at the intersection with the signal. The point of impact was the vehicle’s left front bumper, which caused head injuries to the pedestrian. She was semiconscious and experienced minor bleeding. The report lists the pedestrian’s contributing factors as unspecified, and no driver contributing factors were explicitly cited. The driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The collision highlights the danger posed by turning vehicles at intersections, where pedestrian right-of-way is critical but not always respected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769128 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04