Eight Dead in Elmhurst—How Many More Before City Hall Acts?

Abandoned poles and wires block sidewalks, trap walkers, and threaten cyclists. This bill sets strict deadlines for removal and transfer. Delay ends. Streets clear. Danger cut.

Int 0921-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 23, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Justin L. Brannan with Holden, Vernikov, Marmorato, and Paladino, demands owners remove abandoned or unsafe utility poles, wires, and appurtenances within 60 days—or immediately if dangerous. Transfers to new poles must happen in 30 days. The matter title reads: 'timelines for the removal of abandoned or unsafe utility poles, wires, and appurtenances, and the transfer of appurtenances to newly erected poles.' Swift action means fewer sidewalk traps and less risk for those on foot or bike.

• File Int 0921-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-23

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-05-21

Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.

On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.

• Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins, nypost.com, Published 2024-05-16

Council bill redefines major transit projects. Bike lanes, busways, and bus lanes now trigger community board notice. DOT must present plans, boards get sixty days to respond. Progress reports go public. Holden and Ariola sponsor.

Int 0880-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced May 16, 2024, by Council Members Joann Ariola and Robert F. Holden, it amends city code to require community notification for any bus lane, busway, or bike lane project, no matter the size. The bill states: 'construction or removal of a bus lane, busway, or bike lane' counts as a major project. DOT must present plans to affected boards, who get sixty days to comment. DOT must post quarterly updates online. Ariola is the primary sponsor; Holden co-sponsors. The bill aims to increase transparency and community input on street changes that shape safety for all.

• File Int 0880-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

Council moves to light up step streets. At least 25 stairways each year will get new lamps. Dark paths become visible. Pedestrians gain ground. Shadows shrink. Danger loses its cover.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 16, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola, joined by sixteen co-sponsors, pushes for at least 25 step streets to be lit each year until all are covered. Step streets are open-air staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to strip darkness from these paths, making them safer for people on foot. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0875-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

A bus turning improperly struck a sedan stopped in traffic on 81 Street. The sedan’s front passenger, a 67-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. The impact damaged the bus’s front and the sedan’s rear, revealing driver error as the crash cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:42 on 81 Street when a bus was making a left turn and collided with a sedan stopped in traffic. The bus’s point of impact was the center front end, while the sedan was hit on the left rear bumper. The bus driver’s error of "Turning Improperly" is cited as a contributing factor. The sedan carried two occupants; the front passenger, a 67-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock, wearing a lap belt and harness. The report notes no other contributing factors beyond the bus driver’s improper turn. The collision caused damage to both vehicles and injured the sedan passenger, highlighting the dangers of driver errors during turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719287 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A northbound ambulance making a left turn collided head-on with a southbound bicyclist on 77 Street in Queens. The cyclist suffered internal injuries to the entire body. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:19 on 77 Street near Woodside Avenue in Queens. A 2022 Ford ambulance traveling north was making a left turn when it struck a southbound bicyclist head-on. The bicyclist, a 30-year-old male, was injured with internal bodily trauma affecting his entire body. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the collision. The ambulance driver was licensed in New York and had two occupants in the vehicle. The bicyclist was not ejected and was riding straight ahead at the time of impact. There was no damage reported to either vehicle. The police report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist's behavior or safety equipment. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction during critical maneuvers like left turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719383 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

Albany killed the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. No more free rides. Lawmakers gave $12 million for better service, but not enough. Riders lose a lifeline. The city’s poorest feel the blow. Congestion pricing looms. Buses stay crowded, fares return.

On April 21, 2024, the New York State budget ended the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. The pilot, which began in September 2023, made one bus in each borough free. Lawmakers, including Senator Michael Gianaris, pushed to expand it to 15 lines. The budget did not include this. Instead, $12.3 million was set aside to improve bus frequency, far short of the $45 million needed for expansion. The bill’s summary states, 'The MTA's experiment in fare-less city bus service will soon end after Albany lawmakers did not reauthorize it.' Gianaris pledged to keep fighting for affordable transit. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the pilot 'crucial' for working-class New Yorkers. The MTA’s Janno Lieber criticized the program. No safety analyst reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users. The loss hits riders who depend on buses most.

• MTA’s free bus experiment will end after not being reauthorized in state budget, amny.com, Published 2024-04-21

A moped struck a 78-year-old woman in a Queens crosswalk. Her hip shattered. She died on Grand Avenue. The rider, distracted, did not stop. The morning stayed silent. Systemic danger lingered at the intersection.

A 78-year-old woman was killed while crossing Grand Avenue at 80th Street in Queens. According to the police report, she was in a marked crosswalk when a northbound moped struck her head-on. The report states the rider was 'distracted' and lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The impact broke her hip and caused fatal injuries. The narrative notes the rider did not stop. No driver errors other than inattention are cited. The pedestrian was crossing at the intersection; the report does not list any pedestrian behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver distraction and systemic threats facing those on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718029 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

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 2024-04-15

Council targets hidden plates. Bill makes it a crime to park, stop, or drive with covered tags. Fines reach $1,000. Jail time possible. Committee weighs action. Streets demand accountability.

Int 0766-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on April 11, 2024. The bill reads: “prohibiting the parking, standing, stopping, or operation of a motor vehicle with obscured or defaced license plates.” Council Member Oswald Feliz leads, joined by Holden, Bottcher, Gennaro, Marte, Restler, Ung, and Paladino. The bill sets fines up to $1,000 and possible jail for violators. Each offense is a misdemeanor. The council aims to strip cover for reckless drivers, making it harder to dodge tickets and accountability. No safety analyst note yet, but the intent is clear: end the shield for lawless driving.

• File Int 0766-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

Two vehicles crashed on Queens Boulevard just after midnight. The SUV struck the sedan’s left side, injuring a 22-year-old front passenger. Driver distraction caused the collision, leaving the passenger with bruises and leg injuries.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Queens Boulevard near 55 Avenue at 12:10 a.m. involving a 2022 Jeep SUV and a 2020 Nissan sedan, both traveling westbound. The SUV impacted the sedan’s left front quarter panel, damaging the sedan’s left side doors. The report cites driver inattention and distraction as the contributing factor to the crash. A 22-year-old female front passenger in the SUV suffered contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock. She was restrained by a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the passenger’s behavior. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction on busy city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716799 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A taxi parked westbound on Broadway in Queens collided with a northbound bicyclist. The rider suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. Police cited the taxi driver’s improper lane usage and inattention as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:00 PM near 75-01 Broadway in Queens. A taxi was parked westbound when it struck a bicyclist traveling northbound. The bicyclist, a 44-year-old man, sustained abrasions to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The report identifies the taxi driver's errors as 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The taxi showed no damage, indicating the impact was likely minor but caused injury to the cyclist. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the taxi driver’s failure to maintain proper lane discipline and attention, which led to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714316 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

Two sedans slammed together on 90 Street. Metal twisted. Three passengers injured—head wounds, chest trauma, shock. Police cite drivers for ignoring traffic controls. The street stayed loud. The pain stayed real.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at 21:20 on 90 Street in Queens. A 2014 Ford heading north and a 2018 Tesla heading west struck each other while both traveled straight. The Ford took damage to its center front end; the Tesla was hit on the left front quarter panel. Three passengers were injured: a 31-year-old woman with head injuries and whiplash, a 24-year-old man with chest injuries and whiplash, and a 17-year-old boy with head wounds and minor bleeding. All were in shock. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the driver error. No blame is placed on the injured passengers, who wore lap belts and harnesses.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713444 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

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 2024-03-27

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 2024-03-27

An SUV struck a 16-year-old e-scooter rider traveling west on 94 Street. The collision caused upper arm injuries and abrasions. Unsafe speed by one vehicle contributed to the crash. The e-scooter driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:50 on 94 Street involving a southbound SUV and a westbound e-scooter engaged in a police pursuit. The SUV's left front bumper struck the center front end of the e-scooter. The 16-year-old e-scooter driver suffered an upper arm injury and abrasions but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error related to excessive speed. The e-scooter driver had no listed contributing factors. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. Vehicle damage was noted on the SUV's left front bumper and the e-scooter's front end. This crash highlights the dangers posed by high-speed vehicle operation during police pursuits.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714158 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A 26-year-old male bicyclist suffered facial abrasions after a collision with a westbound sedan making a right turn on Queens Boulevard. The impact occurred front-center on both vehicles. The cyclist remained conscious and was not ejected from the bike.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:15 AM on Queens Boulevard in Queens. A westbound sedan, licensed and operated by a male driver, was making a right turn when it collided with an eastbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 26-year-old male, was riding straight ahead and was struck at the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist sustained facial abrasions and was injured but remained conscious and was not ejected from his bike. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as Failure to Yield, but the collision happened during the sedan's turning maneuver, indicating a critical driver action leading to the crash. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4711808 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-03-20

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-03-20