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

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

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

A 25-year-old motorcyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries on Queens Boulevard. Driver inexperience and road debris listed as causes. The rider was unlicensed but wore a helmet. No others hurt.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old male motorcyclist was ejected while traveling east on Queens Boulevard near Grand Avenue. He suffered head injuries and internal complaints. The report lists driver inexperience and obstruction or debris as contributing factors. The rider was unlicensed at the time of the crash. The motorcycle was damaged at the center front end. The report notes the rider wore a helmet. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4609057 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

A parked SUV struck a westbound sedan on Queens Boulevard. Three sedan occupants suffered bruises. All were conscious. The crash stemmed from a reaction to another vehicle. Impact left bodies battered, lives jarred.

According to the police report, a 2021 Audi SUV, parked on Queens Boulevard, collided with a 2015 Ford sedan traveling west. The sedan carried three people: a 26-year-old male driver and two passengers, aged 26 and 36. All three suffered contusions and bruises to the hip, knee, and elbow. Each was conscious and restrained. The report lists "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle" as a contributing factor, pointing to driver error in response to another vehicle not involved in the crash. No ejections occurred. No other contributing factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4608095 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

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

A 36-year-old man was struck at an intersection on 43 Avenue in Queens. The SUV hit him with its right front bumper as he crossed. He suffered bruises and injuries to his knee and lower leg. The driver was distracted.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing at an intersection on 43 Avenue near Elbertson Street in Queens. The pedestrian was hit by a 2008 Ford SUV traveling west, which struck him with its right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian was conscious and suffered a bruise but was not ejected. No other contributing factors were specified. The driver was licensed and the vehicle was previously parked before the crash. The collision caused damage to the SUV's right front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4605652 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

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 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

A 19-year-old woman was hit crossing a marked crosswalk at 56 Avenue in Queens. The sedan, traveling south, struck her with its right front bumper. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee and lower leg. The driver failed to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk at the intersection of 56 Avenue in Queens. The sedan, traveling south and going straight ahead, struck her with its right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the driver. No other contributing factors or safety equipment were noted. The vehicle sustained damage to its center front end. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene and suffered moderate injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4610705 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

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

A car turned left on Albion Avenue. The driver did not yield. Steel struck a 73-year-old woman crossing with the signal. The front bumper crushed her leg. She stayed conscious. The light kept blinking. The street stayed dangerous.

A 73-year-old woman was crossing Albion Avenue near Queens Boulevard in Queens. She had the signal. A car turned left and struck her with its front bumper, crushing her lower leg. According to the police report, "The driver did not yield." The pedestrian remained conscious after the crash. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the driver’s contributing factor. No other injuries were specified. The data shows the pedestrian was in the intersection, crossing lawfully, when the driver failed to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4604054 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-16

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

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