Four Dead in Woodside—Speed Kills, Leaders Stall

Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Assembly bill A 324 demands complete street design for state- and federally-funded projects. Sponsors push for public guidance. Streets built for people, not just cars. Safety for all hangs in the balance.

Assembly Bill A 324 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now 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 consider all users—pedestrians, cyclists, drivers—when building or upgrading roads. Didi Barrett leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rebecca Seawright, Amy Paulin, and many others. The bill also directs the department to publish street design guidance. No safety analyst note yet, but the measure’s intent is clear: streets should protect the most vulnerable, not just move traffic.

• File A 324, 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 24-year-old woman riding an e-scooter on Queens Boulevard was struck head-on. She was ejected, her head split and bleeding, but she stayed conscious as traffic thundered by. Driver inattention left her broken in the street.

A 24-year-old woman operating an e-scooter was struck head-on near 59-11 Queens Boulevard in Queens, according to the police report. The impact ejected her from the scooter, causing severe head injuries and heavy bleeding. The police report states that she remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor cited is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction,' highlighting a systemic danger on city streets. The report notes the absence of helmet use, but only after emphasizing the role of driver distraction. The collision underscores the peril faced by vulnerable road users when drivers fail to pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781101 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs collided on Broadway. One driver changed lanes unsafely. A 57-year-old front passenger took the hit. She suffered head injuries and whiplash. The crash left her conscious but hurt.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles crashed at 5:00 PM on Broadway near 65th Street in Queens. One driver changed lanes unsafely, striking the other SUV's right front bumper. The report lists "Unsafe Lane Changing" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as contributing factors. A 57-year-old female front passenger was injured, suffering head injuries and whiplash. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were licensed men. The crash shows how driver errors in lane changes can leave passengers seriously hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779067 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 19-year-old motorcyclist was ejected and suffered a fractured elbow in a Queens collision. The sedan struck the motorcycle’s front end while traveling south on 59th Street. Unsafe speed by one vehicle contributed to the violent impact.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 3:00 PM on 59th Street in Queens involving a sedan and a motorcycle. The motorcycle, driven by a 19-year-old male wearing a helmet, was traveling east when it was struck on its center front end by a southbound BMW sedan impacting its right rear quarter panel. The motorcyclist was ejected from the vehicle and sustained a fracture and dislocation to his elbow and lower arm, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead prior to impact. The data highlights driver error related to speed as the primary cause of this violent collision, with no contributing factors attributed to the motorcyclist’s behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779083 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV and tractor truck collided on Laurel Hill Blvd. Slippery pavement sent steel into steel. The SUV driver, a 28-year-old woman, suffered bruises across her body. Road surface danger left its mark.

According to the police report, at 18:49 on Laurel Hill Blvd near 65th Street in Queens, a northbound Jeep SUV struck the trailer of a northbound tractor truck diesel. The SUV's left front bumper hit the truck's trailer. The SUV driver, a 28-year-old woman, was injured with contusions over her entire body but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Pavement Slippery' as a contributing factor. No other driver errors were cited. The crash shows how hazardous road conditions can strip control from drivers and put lives at risk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777577 - 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 34-year-old man suffered full-body bruises after an SUV struck him at an intersection. The vehicle made a right turn and hit the pedestrian who was crossing with the signal. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing the collision.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 37 Avenue and 69 Street. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2022 Hyundai SUV, traveling north and making a right turn, struck him at the center front end. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the driver. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to his entire body but remained conscious. The vehicle sustained no damage. The collision highlights a driver error where the SUV operator did not yield to a pedestrian lawfully crossing, directly resulting in the injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775075 - 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

Police chases in Astoria’s 114 Precinct have surged. Cyclists and pedestrians pay the price. One cyclist is dead. NYPD ignores its own rules. Dangerous drivers face no real penalty. Officials and residents demand action. The city stalls. Streets stay deadly.

This report covers the sharp rise in high-speed police chases in the NYPD’s 114th Precinct, Astoria, Queens. The article, published October 28, 2024, details community outrage after a cyclist’s death and repeated injuries. NYPD policy says chases should end when risk outweighs reward, but enforcement fails. The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program, which once forced repeat offenders into safety courses, has expired. Comptroller Brad Lander says, 'Drivers who are repeatedly caught by speed and red-light cameras currently face no consequences other than a fine in the mail. Repeat reckless drivers must be held to account.' State Senator Michael Gianaris calls for stronger penalties, including suspending registrations. The NYPD has not adopted reforms. Residents and advocates demand legislative action and transparency. Without it, vulnerable road users remain at risk.

• Reckless: The 114 Precinct is an Island of High-Speed Chases In Queens, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-28

A 28-year-old man crossing Roosevelt Avenue away from an intersection suffered severe leg fractures after a vehicle struck him on the right front bumper. The driver’s inattention caused the impact, leaving the pedestrian injured and conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, at 4:35 AM in Queens near 63-14 Roosevelt Avenue, a pedestrian was crossing outside a crosswalk when a vehicle traveling east struck him with the right front bumper. The pedestrian, a 28-year-old male, sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as serious injuries. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. There is no indication of pedestrian fault or contributing factors such as helmet use or crossing signals. The driver’s failure to maintain attention directly resulted in the collision and severe injury to the pedestrian, underscoring systemic dangers posed by distracted driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767968 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan making a U-turn struck a motorcycle traveling straight east on 60 Street. The motorcyclist suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries but remained conscious. The sedan’s left front bumper and motorcycle’s front end were damaged in the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:57 on 60 Street. The sedan, driven by a licensed male driver from New Jersey, was making a U-turn when it collided with a motorcycle traveling straight ahead eastbound. The motorcycle driver, a 25-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained injuries to his shoulder and upper arm but remained conscious and was not ejected. The point of impact was the sedan’s left front bumper and the motorcycle’s center front end, indicating the sedan’s maneuver caused the collision. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but highlights the sedan driver’s U-turn as the critical action leading to the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766260 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An SUV making a left turn struck a southbound e-bike in Queens. The bicyclist suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield as key factors. The rider wore a helmet and remained conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:02 AM near 37-25 56 Street in Queens. A station wagon/SUV was making a left turn southwest when it collided with an e-bike traveling straight south. The point of impact was the SUV's right front bumper and the e-bike's left side doors. The bicyclist, a 48-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained a fractured elbow and dislocation but was conscious and not ejected. The report identifies the SUV driver's errors as 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The e-bike rider's helmet use is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. Vehicle damage was noted on the e-bike's left side doors, while the SUV showed no damage. The crash highlights systemic dangers posed by driver errors during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766173 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 45-year-old female bicyclist was ejected and injured on Queens Boulevard while making a right turn. According to the police report, the crash involved a reaction to an uninvolved vehicle. The rider suffered a neck contusion and remained conscious.

At 6:00 PM on Queens Boulevard in Queens, a 45-year-old female bicyclist was injured and ejected during a right turn, according to the police report. The report states the contributing factor was a "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle," indicating the bicyclist's response to another vehicle not directly involved in the crash played a role. The bicyclist, who was wearing a helmet, sustained a neck contusion and was conscious after the incident. The vehicle involved was a bike with no reported damage. The police report does not cite any driver errors beyond the reaction to the uninvolved vehicle. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted as causes. This crash highlights the dangers bicyclists face from unpredictable traffic dynamics on busy city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761961 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

A distracted SUV driver struck an e-scooter rider on 54 Street in Queens late at night. The e-scooter driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention and traffic control disregard as key factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 23:38 on 54 Street near 39 Avenue in Queens. A 42-year-old male e-scooter driver was injured, sustaining contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg. The report identifies the SUV driver’s errors as 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' The SUV, traveling south, impacted the e-scooter on its left front quarter panel. The e-scooter, traveling west, was hit at its center front end. The injured rider was conscious and not ejected. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the e-scooter rider. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and failure to obey traffic controls in Queens.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757523 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan traveling south collided with a westbound e-bike rider at 72-01 51 Avenue in Queens. The e-bike rider, a 50-year-old woman wearing a helmet, suffered back abrasions. The sedan’s driver was distracted by a hand-held cell phone.

According to the police report, at 9:44 AM in Queens near 72-01 51 Avenue, a sedan traveling south struck an e-bike rider traveling west. The e-bike rider, a 50-year-old female wearing a helmet, was injured with back abrasions but remained conscious. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Cell Phone (hand-Held)' as contributing factors for the sedan driver. The point of impact was the sedan's left front bumper hitting the center front end of the e-bike. The sedan driver was licensed and driving straight ahead but failed to maintain attention, resulting in the collision. The e-bike sustained no damage, indicating the severity of the impact was primarily on the rider. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756125 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04