Four Dead in Woodside—Speed Kills, Leaders Stall

A 50-year-old man was struck while crossing Roosevelt Avenue with the signal. The SUV was making a left turn and hit the pedestrian on the left front quarter panel. The man suffered bruises and injuries to his knee and lower leg.

According to the police report, a 50-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Roosevelt Avenue at an intersection with the signal. The driver, a licensed male operating a 2020 SUV, was making a left turn when the vehicle struck the pedestrian on the left front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists no specific driver contributing factors or vehicle damage. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. No helmet or signaling issues were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4617320 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A driver killed a 7-year-old girl at 45th Street and Newtown Road. The city will install a traffic signal. Local leaders and family demanded action. DOT promises more safety. Residents call for broader change. One light will not fix the corridor.

On April 1, 2023, NYC DOT announced a new traffic signal for 45th Street and Newtown Road in Queens. This follows the February death of Dolma Naadhun, age 7, struck by a driver with a learner’s permit. The matter, titled 'NYC to install a traffic signal at the site of Queens crash that killed 7-year-old,' drew support from State Sen. Michael Gianaris, who said, 'I am glad the city is installing a traffic signal at the site of Naadhun's tragic death, in accordance with her family’s wishes.' Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez stated, 'No loss of life on our streets is acceptable.' The DOT has already added curb extensions and new crosswalks. Community members, including Alex Duncan, argue that one signal is not enough and demand systemic safety changes along the corridor. The signal is set for installation in May.

• NYC to install a traffic signal at the site of Queens crash that killed 7-year-old, gothamist.com, Published 2023-04-01

A new traffic light will rise at a deadly Queens corner. A girl died here. Her brother begged for change. The city listened. Officials promise more: stop signs, curb extensions, clearer crosswalks. The driver who killed her ran a stop sign. He was unlicensed.

On March 30, 2023, the NYC Department of Transportation announced new safety measures at a Queens intersection where 7-year-old Dolma Naadhum was killed by an SUV. The agency will install a traffic light by May, following a petition from Dolma’s brother and pressure from local leaders. State Senator Michael Gianaris, representing District 12, pledged to honor the family's request, stating, 'We fix Newtown Road where this happened.' The DOT will also add all-way stop signs at a nearby crossing and has already improved crosswalks, extended curbs, and restricted parking for better visibility. The driver in the fatal crash ran a stop sign and lacked a proper license. The city’s action comes after years of complaints about dangerous driving at this intersection.

• NYC to install traffic light at corner where girl died after brother’s plea, nypost.com, Published 2023-03-30

Two SUVs collided on Queens Boulevard. One driver turned improperly. The other, a 33-year-old man, suffered arm abrasions. Both vehicles took heavy damage. Impact was sudden and hard.

According to the police report, two SUVs crashed on Queens Boulevard at 70 Street in Queens. One SUV made an improper left turn and was struck by another SUV traveling straight. The 33-year-old male driver of the straight-moving SUV was injured, sustaining abrasions and an elbow injury. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors, both driver errors. Both drivers were licensed. No other contributing factors were noted. The injured driver was conscious and restrained at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4616861 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Albany’s push for residential parking permits risks locking in car dominance. Critics say low fees fuel car ownership, crowding out transit, bikes, and green space. Experts warn it’s a subsidy for drivers, not a fix for congestion or emissions.

On March 16, 2023, a Senate proposal surfaced to create a Residential Parking Permit system in New York City. The plan, now under City Council review, would charge drivers up to $30 per month for curbside parking, with revenue aimed at funding the MTA. The proposal leaves key details—like reserving 20% of spaces for non-residents—to the Council. The bill’s summary claims it will reduce emissions and support transit. Senator Michael Gianaris supports the measure, but critics are blunt. Bike New York’s Jon Orcutt calls it a 'big nothingburger.' Donald Shoup says the $30 fee is a subsidy for cars. Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives argues, 'public space should be used for transit, bike lanes, and green space, not car storage.' Studies show similar programs in other cities have failed to cut congestion or emissions, and may even increase car ownership. The Department of Transportation has testified against the plan, warning it entrenches private car storage at the expense of vulnerable road users.

• Albany’s Residential Parking Program Won’t Be Good for New York City: Analysis, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-16

An SUV plowed into a Mercedes on the BQE. Metal screamed. The Mercedes driver, fifty, was pinned and broke his back. Distraction ruled the night. The crash left silence and pain in its wake.

A westbound SUV struck the rear of a 2019 Mercedes sedan on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The Mercedes driver, a 50-year-old man, suffered severe crush injuries and a broken back. According to the police report, 'A westbound SUV slammed into the rear of a 2019 Mercedes. The driver, 50, was crushed in his seat. His back broken, his night ended in steel and silence. Distraction was behind the wheel.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No other errors or contributing factors are cited. The crash left one driver injured, with no mention of other victims.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4612959 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Two SUVs crashed on Broadway near 64th Street. One driver suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries. The impact hit the front ends of both vehicles. Police cited driver inattention as the cause. The injured driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Broadway near 64th Street. The driver of one SUV, a 69-year-old man, was injured with contusions to the abdomen and pelvis. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The crash occurred when one vehicle was stopped in traffic and the other was traveling northwest going straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of one SUV and the left front bumper of the other. Police identified driver inattention and distraction as the contributing factors. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4613246 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A sedan making a U-turn struck a 31-year-old male e-bike rider on Woodside Avenue. The cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The crash involved improper lane usage and following too closely.

According to the police report, a sedan was making a U-turn on Woodside Avenue when it collided with an eastbound e-bike. The 31-year-old male cyclist was injured, sustaining abrasions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver errors including 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Following Too Closely.' The e-bike rider was not ejected and remained conscious. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the e-bike and the left front quarter panel of the sedan. The cyclist's contributing factors included 'Following Too Closely' and 'Failure to Keep Right.' The sedan driver was licensed in New York. No helmet or signaling factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4612571 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Two sedans crashed head-on on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. A 25-year-old female driver was injured, unconscious, and suffered whole-body trauma. Unsafe speed and driver inexperience caused the collision. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling westbound on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway collided. The 25-year-old female driver of one sedan was injured severely, rendered unconscious, and suffered injuries to her entire body. She was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report lists unsafe speed and driver inexperience as contributing factors. Both vehicles impacted at their front ends, with damage concentrated on the center front end of one and the left front quarter panel of the other. The male driver of the second sedan was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4611563 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A girl died at a Queens intersection. Her brother started a petition. Over 26,000 signed. Neighbors and State Sen. Michael Gianaris demand a traffic light. DOT hesitates. Drivers keep ignoring stop signs. The crosswalk remains deadly. The city stalls. Families mourn.

On March 5, 2023, State Senator Michael Gianaris responded to the death of Dolma Naadhum, a 7-year-old killed at a Newtown Road intersection in Astoria, Queens. The incident sparked a petition—over 26,000 signatures—calling for traffic lights to replace stop signs at three crossings. Gianaris pledged to 'make sure we fix Newtown Road where this happened, and to honor her father's request that there be traffic lights there.' The Department of Transportation upgraded crosswalk markings but has not committed to a traffic light, citing a low crash history. Residents and the victim’s family say the intersection remains dangerous, with drivers ignoring stop signs. Gianaris’s support highlights official recognition of the need for stronger protections for pedestrians, especially children, at this site.

• 11-year-old brother of NYC girl killed at intersection calls for new traffic light, nypost.com, Published 2023-03-05

Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-02-28

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Assembly bill A 4057 orders new safety tech in cars. DMV must set rules. Lawmakers push for machines to see, sense, and stop. Streets demand more than hope. The bill stands at sponsorship.

Assembly bill A 4057, sponsored by Brian Cunningham and co-sponsored by Steven Raga, Chris Burdick, Tony Simone, Manny De Los Santos, Jen Lunsford, and Jo Anne Simon, was introduced on February 9, 2023. The bill is in the sponsorship stage. It 'mandates the use of advanced safety technology in vehicles in the state; requires the commissioner of motor vehicles to promulgate certain rules and regulations.' No vote has been held yet. The bill aims to force carmakers and drivers to adopt new tech, shifting the burden from flesh to steel. No safety analyst note is available.

• File A 4057, Open States, Published 2023-02-09

MTA Chair Janno Lieber told lawmakers the agency needs $350 million yearly to avoid fare hikes. Legislators pushed back. They called for taxing the wealthy, not straphangers. The fight centers on who pays for transit. Riders wait. The stakes are high.

On February 6, 2023, during a legislative hearing on MTA funding and fare policy, MTA Chair Janno Lieber testified that the agency needs $350 million more each year to prevent subway and bus fare hikes. The hearing, part of the state budget process, saw Lieber defend Governor Hochul’s proposed 5.5-percent fare increase as a return to regular hikes paused during the pandemic. Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani and colleagues pushed the 'Fix the MTA' package to freeze fares, boost service, and make buses free. Mamdani argued, 'It is simply not acceptable to put the cost of a basic public good on the backs of working class New Yorkers.' Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris criticized Lieber for insisting on fare hikes while dismissing other budget solutions. Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas opposed making her constituents pay more. Lieber expressed concern about free buses, preferring targeted affordability programs. The hearing highlighted a sharp divide: lawmakers want to protect riders; the MTA wants stable funding. No direct safety impact for vulnerable road users was assessed.

• MTA Could Nix Fare Hikes with Just $350M More Per Year, Lieber Says, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-06

A motorcycle struck a parked sedan on 54 Street in Queens. The 26-year-old motorcyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. Police cited traffic control disregard and unsafe speed as factors in the crash.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male motorcyclist traveling west on 54 Street collided with a parked sedan. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet and was not ejected but sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the crash. The sedan was stationary at the time of impact. No other occupants were involved. The crash caused damage to the motorcycle's right front quarter panel and the sedan's right front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4602685 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Assembly bill A 3180 demands complete street design on state and federally funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. The bill calls for public guidance. Streets must serve people, not just cars.

Assembly Bill A 3180 was introduced on February 2, 2023, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force planners to think of people first. Didi Barrett leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rebecca Seawright, Amy Paulin, and others. The bill also orders the department to publish street design guidance. No safety analyst note is available, but the bill’s intent is clear: streets must protect all users, not just drivers.

• File A 3180, Open States, Published 2023-02-02