Northern Boulevard Bleeds—Who Will Stop the Next Death?

A sedan and a pickup truck crashed on 34 Avenue. The sedan driver, a 72-year-old man, suffered back injuries. Both vehicles struck each other head-on and on the side. The driver ignored traffic controls, causing the collision.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 34 Avenue involving a sedan and a pickup truck. The sedan driver, a 72-year-old man, was injured with back trauma but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt. The crash involved impact to the sedan's center front end and the truck's left side doors. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors related to ignoring traffic signals or signs. No other injuries or victims were reported. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle going straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4624332 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

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

A trailing SUV crashed into a stopped SUV on Northern Boulevard. The driver in back, age 61, suffered back pain and whiplash. Police cited following too closely and unsafe speed. Both vehicles showed heavy damage.

According to the police report, a 61-year-old man driving a Jeep SUV rear-ended a stopped Honda SUV on Northern Boulevard in Queens. The trailing driver was injured, reporting back pain and whiplash. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The Jeep was slowing or stopping before impact, while the Honda was stopped in traffic. Both vehicles sustained significant front and rear damage. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4613070 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Governor Hochul killed the costly LaGuardia AirTrain. Two new bus routes will replace it. Jessica Ramos cheered the move. The AirTrain’s high price and twisted route drew fire. Buses promise faster, cheaper, cleaner rides for millions. Queens riders win. Cars lose.

""This is the right move. My neighbors who live around LaGuardia deserve transit that is for them, not whatever that boondoggle was. I’m so proud of East Elmhurst for standing up to this bad plan. We still have to look at how to expand transit to those parts of Queens, especially if the proposed football stadium is going to be building what effectively is a new neighborhood in Queens. The 7 alone won’t be able to handle it."" -- Jessica Ramos

On March 13, 2023, Governor Hochul canceled the Cuomo-era LaGuardia AirTrain project after an expert panel review. The panel found the $2-billion monorail would not outperform improved bus service. Instead, two new bus routes will serve the airport: an upgraded Q70 Select Bus Service with a dedicated BQE lane, and a new non-stop bus rapid transit line from Astoria-Ditmars Boulevard using electric buses and transit signal priority. The total cost is about $500 million, far less than any rail option. State Senator Jessica Ramos, district 13, praised the decision, saying, 'My neighbors who live around LaGuardia deserve transit that is for them, not whatever that boondoggle was.' The AirTrain faced mounting opposition for its cost, indirect route, and lack of transparency. The new bus plan aims to serve millions of riders annually and can be implemented within two to five years.

• Hochul Scraps ‘Wrong Way’ AirTrain for Thrilling New Tech — The Bus!, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-03-13

Governor Hochul killed the costly LaGuardia AirTrain. She chose faster, cheaper bus routes instead. The new plan brings electric buses, dedicated lanes, and direct service. Advocates cheered. Queens riders win. The AirTrain dies. Buses roll on.

On March 13, 2023, Governor Hochul and the Port Authority canceled the Cuomo-era LaGuardia AirTrain project. The decision followed an expert panel review, which found the $2 billion monorail would not outperform expanded bus service. Instead, the panel recommended two new bus routes: an upgraded Q70 Select Bus Service with a dedicated BQE lane, and a nonstop bus rapid transit line from Astoria-Ditmars Boulevard to all LaGuardia terminals, using electric buses and transit signal priority. The matter summary states: 'Gov. Hochul and the Port Authority have canceled the controversial Cuomo-era LaGuardia AirTrain project, opting instead for two new, improved bus connections to the airport.' State Senator Jessica Ramos welcomed the move, saying, 'My neighbors who live around LaGuardia deserve transit that is for them, not whatever that boondoggle was.' Advocates and elected officials praised the shift, though some called for even stronger bus priority and further transit expansion in Queens.

• Hochul Scraps ‘Wrong Way’ AirTrain for Thrilling New Tech — The Bus!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-13

State senators pressed DOTs to fight e-bike stigma and protect riders. They called for education, better battery rules, and fair treatment for delivery workers. City Hall’s inaction leaves e-bike users exposed. Bans loom while agencies stall. Vulnerable riders pay the price.

On March 2, 2023, State Sen. Jessica Ramos and colleagues sent a letter to city and state DOTs urging action against the 'demonization' of e-bikes and e-scooters. The letter, signed by Ramos and State Sen. Liz Krueger, demanded more education on safe riding and battery use, warning, 'We cannot allow a narrative to build against a vital, green, and growing mode of transportation.' Ramos criticized City Hall for failing to post speed limits and design streets for e-mobility. Krueger backed battery safety bills, while Councilman Bob Holden pushed for outright bans, citing deaths and injuries. The senators warned that inaction could lead to blanket bans, hitting delivery workers hardest. The city’s plan for safe charging hubs faces local opposition. DOT claims a 'holistic approach,' but vulnerable riders remain at risk as agencies drag their feet.

• State Pols Call on DOTs to Counter E-Bike ‘Demonization’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-10

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

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

Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2023-02-28

Lawmakers push two bills. One widens legal cargo bikes. One reins in dirty warehouses. Both target truck traffic choking city streets. Sponsors say the measures will cut pollution, asthma, and danger for people outside cars. Albany momentum grows.

Bills S6106 (Sen. Jessica Ramos) and A6968 (Asm. Marcela Mitaynes) are active in the New York State legislature. S6106 would expand the legal width of cargo bikes from 36 to 48 inches, making them more useful for deliveries. A6968 would let the Department of Environmental Conservation regulate emissions from last-mile warehouses and require plans to cut transportation pollution, including by using zero-emission vehicles like cargo bikes. The matter summary notes, 'The bills complement each other.' Ramos and Mitaynes sponsor the measures. Their staff and advocates say the bills will help replace polluting vans with cleaner cargo bikes, especially in low-income areas hit hard by asthma. Both bills are gaining support in Albany.

• V-DAY SPECIAL: Bigger Cargo Bikes and Last-Mile Warehouse Regulation is a Match Made In Heaven, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-14

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

A 19-year-old male motorcyclist was ejected after colliding with a vehicle’s right side doors on 111 Street near 34 Avenue. He suffered a head contusion and bruises. The crash happened late at night. Unsafe speed was a factor.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling east on 111 Street struck the right side doors of a vehicle traveling north near 34 Avenue in Queens. The 19-year-old male driver of the motorcycle was ejected and sustained a head injury classified as a contusion and bruises. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. The motorcyclist was not wearing any safety equipment at the time. The vehicle involved had damage to its center front end. No other occupants were reported injured. The crash occurred at 11:56 p.m. The report does not specify the type of the second vehicle but notes it was going straight ahead when struck.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4604959 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

SUV slammed into stopped SUV on Northern Boulevard. Two men inside struck vehicle suffered neck and back bruises. Police cite driver inattention. Both victims conscious. Metal crumpled. No ejections.

According to the police report, a westbound SUV rear-ended another SUV stopped in traffic on Northern Boulevard in Queens. The 51-year-old male driver and his 55-year-old male passenger in the struck vehicle suffered contusions to the back and neck. Both were conscious and restrained. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The striking SUV, driven by a licensed woman, hit the center rear of the stopped car. Both vehicles sustained damage at the point of impact. No one was ejected. The injuries were moderate, with no loss of consciousness.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4603216 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 19-year-old man was struck while crossing Northern Boulevard at 107 Street in Queens. He suffered bruises and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The pedestrian was conscious and crossing with the signal at the time of impact.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Northern Boulevard at the intersection with 107 Street in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. He sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and remained conscious after the crash. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors. The vehicle involved is unspecified, and no details about the driver or vehicle type are provided. The pedestrian was not ejected and no safety equipment or additional contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4602924 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Four SUVs collided on 108 Street in Queens. One 21-year-old woman suffered chest injuries and shock. Police cited driver inattention and distraction. Impact hit hard at front and rear. No ejections. Serious, contained harm.

According to the police report, four SUVs collided on 108 Street near 34 Avenue in Queens. All vehicles were headed north. Traffic stopped. The crash injured a 21-year-old female driver, who suffered chest trauma and shock. She was not ejected. Police listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. Impact struck the center front and back ends of the vehicles. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The crash left one driver hurt and several vehicles damaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4603217 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

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 2023-02-01

Twenty-two construction workers died last year in New York City. Lawmakers passed Carlos' Law, raising fines for negligent companies to $500,000. State Sen. Jessica Ramos calls it vital as migrants fill non-union jobs. Advocates warn: enforcement and worker awareness still lag.

Carlos' Law, passed in early 2023, raises the maximum penalty for construction companies convicted of criminal negligence leading to worker injury or death from $10,000 to $500,000. The law, named after Carlos Moncayo, aims to curb a surge in construction worker deaths—22 in the past year, the highest in five years. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, representing District 13, called the law 'critically needed' as thousands of migrants enter non-union construction jobs lacking basic safety protections. Ramos and other lawmakers supported the bill, but advocates and union officials warn that without strong enforcement and education for new arrivals, deaths and injuries will persist. The law passed after years of advocacy, but the minimum fine was removed, and nonprofits struggle to train the influx of new workers. As Ramos said, 'Behind every worker is a family expecting them to return home.'

• Construction worker deaths reach 5-year high as lawmakers seek to hold companies responsible, gothamist.com, Published 2023-01-22

Subway stations in outer boroughs roar back. Over 20 surpass 2019 numbers. Riders are workers, immigrants, people of color. MTA tweaks service—adds some, cuts some. Waits grow. Calls mount for more funding. Riders need frequent trains. Lives depend on it.

On January 10, 2023, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli reported that more than 20 New York City subway stations exceeded pre-pandemic ridership in December 2022. The recovery, strongest in outer boroughs and Upper Manhattan, highlights the reliance of working-class, immigrant, and communities of color on transit. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said, 'these New Yorkers deserve the same frequent, safe reliable service that they've come to depend on over time.' State Sen. Jessica Ramos, representing the 7 train corridor, demanded state funding for six-minute off-peak service, noting, 'my neighbors are the ones who do work that they can't do from home.' The MTA has made service adjustments—some lines see more weekend trains, but peak service is trimmed, leading to longer waits. As total ridership lags, agency leaders and advocates warn that cuts hit those who need transit most. The fight for reliable, frequent service continues.

• More Than 20 Subway Stations Exceeded Pre-Pandemic Ridership Figures in December, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-10