Queens Boulevard Bleeds—And City Hall Lets It Happen

Three passengers suffered back and neck contusions in a two-SUV crash on Woodhaven Blvd. Both drivers distracted, one failed to yield right-of-way. Impact damaged front quarter panels. Injured occupants conscious, restrained by lap belts and harnesses.

At 8 PM on Woodhaven Blvd in Queens, two SUVs collided, injuring three passengers, according to the police report. Both drivers were cited for Driver Inattention/Distraction, with one also charged for Failure to Yield Right-of-Way. The collision involved a westbound Toyota SUV traveling straight ahead and a westbound Jeep SUV changing lanes. Impact occurred at the right front bumper of the Toyota and left front bumper of the Jeep, damaging the right and left front quarter panels respectively. The injured were a 65-year-old female left rear passenger, a 62-year-old male front passenger, and a 70-year-old female right rear passenger. All three sustained contusions and bruises to their backs or necks, remained conscious, and were restrained by lap belts and harnesses. None were ejected from their vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772408 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 34-year-old driver slammed into traffic on Queens Blvd near 62 Drive. Head injuries and abrasions followed. Police cite driver inexperience and ignored traffic control as causes.

According to the police report, a crash occurred on Queens Blvd near 62 Drive in Queens at 12:52 a.m. A 34-year-old male driver of a 2024 Lexus sedan suffered head injuries and abrasions. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was traveling westbound, going straight, and struck another vehicle, damaging the center front end. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash involved multiple vehicles, but the primary causes were the driver's inexperience and failure to obey traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772161 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans slammed together on Ellwell Crescent in Queens. An 8-year-old girl in the back seat took abrasions to her face and shock. Police cite drivers ignoring traffic controls. Metal twisted. A child suffered.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at 14:40 on Ellwell Crescent in Queens. The crash struck the right side doors of one car and the left front bumper of the other. An 8-year-old girl riding in the left rear seat was injured, suffering facial abrasions and shock. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the cause, pointing to driver error in obeying signals or signs. The child was secured with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. No contributing factors are listed for the victim. Both vehicles sustained damage to their respective impact points.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772403 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Three sedans slammed together on Queens Blvd. Driver distraction triggered the chain crash. A young woman at the wheel took neck injuries and whiplash. Metal twisted. Shock followed.

According to the police report, three sedans traveling east on Queens Blvd crashed in a chain reaction at 18:15. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. A 22-year-old female driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. She was restrained by a lap belt and harness and was in shock after the crash. The vehicles showed damage to center back ends and right front bumpers. No victim actions contributed to the collision. Driver distraction and close following caused the impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771015 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A northbound sedan hit a 36-year-old woman crossing 64 Road near Queens Boulevard. She suffered bruises and leg injuries. Police cite driver distraction. The impact came from the car’s right front.

According to the police report, a 2017 Mazda sedan traveling north on 64 Road struck a 36-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing outside a signal or crosswalk near Queens Boulevard at 20:08. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The driver was going straight ahead and hit the pedestrian with the vehicle’s right front quarter panel. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash and was not ejected. No vehicle damage was reported. The police report does not list any pedestrian actions as contributing factors, focusing solely on the driver’s distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764314 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

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 sedan struck an 85-year-old woman crossing 99 Street in Queens. She was semiconscious, bleeding, hurt across her body. The car’s front end hit her. The street stayed quiet. The danger was real.

According to the police report, at 22:40 on 99 Street near 62 Drive in Queens, a 2007 Ford sedan struck an 85-year-old woman as she crossed outside a crosswalk or signal. The impact was at the car’s center front end, damaging the left front bumper. The pedestrian was found semiconscious, with injuries to her entire body and minor bleeding. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not cite driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The driver was licensed and alone in the vehicle. The crash left a vulnerable pedestrian injured on a city street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757522 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV turned right, struck eastbound e-scooter on Horace Harding Expressway. E-scooter rider, a 27-year-old woman, suffered leg abrasions. Police cited SUV driver for disregarding traffic control.

According to the police report, a 2017 Hyundai SUV made a right turn on Horace Harding Expressway in Queens and struck an eastbound e-scooter at 12:29. The SUV hit the e-scooter on its right front quarter panel. The e-scooter driver, a 27-year-old woman, was injured with abrasions to her knee, lower leg, and foot. She was conscious and not ejected. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor, showing the SUV driver failed to obey traffic signals or signs. No other contributing factors were noted. The crash underscores the risk to vulnerable road users when drivers ignore traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752406 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Lawmakers say Hochul broke the law. They filed a brief. They argue the governor has no right to halt congestion pricing. The MTA Board, not Albany, holds the power. The pause sows confusion. Streets stay clogged. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On August 23, 2024, a group of New York State legislators—Assembly Members Phil Steck and Andrew Hevesi, State Senator Julia Salazar, and former Assembly Member Dick Gottfried—filed a legal brief against Governor Hochul’s decision to pause congestion pricing. The matter, as described: “the legislature never gave her or any governor the power to do away with the traffic toll.” The brief cites the 2019 Traffic Mobility Act, arguing only the Traffic Mobility Review Board and the MTA can make such decisions. The lawmakers warn that letting the governor override the MTA would “make impossibly opaque the actual responsibility for MTA decisions.” Their action supports the MTA Board’s independence and opposes executive interference. No safety analyst has assessed the direct impact on vulnerable road users, but the legislators’ stance highlights the risk of political meddling in life-and-death street policy.

• State Legislators Say They Never Gave Hochul the Power to Pause Congestion Pricing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-23

City will build protected bike lanes and new sidewalks on Cypress Avenue. Jersey barriers will shield cyclists from highway traffic. Pedestrians and riders get a safer shot at Highland Park. The stretch has seen nearly 100 injuries in three years. Danger meets concrete.

On August 23, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced a project to install protected bike lanes and new sidewalks along Cypress Avenue, connecting to Ridgewood Reservoir. The plan, presented to Queens Community Board 5 in June, calls for a two-way cycle path protected by jersey barriers and sidewalk expansions between Cooper Avenue and Cypress Hills Street. The matter summary states: 'Protected bike lanes and built-out sidewalks are coming to Cypress Avenue to provide a safe connection to Highland Park.' Council Member Bob Holden, usually a cycling skeptic, supports the project. His spokesperson said, 'This particular lane benefits those biking to and from the Ridgewood Reservoir and addresses a broader quality of life issue along Cypress Avenue.' Advocates like Bree Mobley of Ridgewood Riders back the plan, citing the area's crash history—166 crashes, 99 injuries in three years. The project targets a corridor marked by high injury and death rates, aiming to shield vulnerable road users from relentless traffic.

• New Protected Bike Lanes Will Connect to Ridgewood Reservoir, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-23

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

A 57-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by a northbound bus making a right turn on Junction Boulevard. The bus driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing the pedestrian to suffer abrasions and an elbow injury at the intersection.

According to the police report, a bus traveling north on Junction Boulevard in Queens was making a right turn at 11:05 when it failed to yield right-of-way to a 57-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal. The pedestrian was injured, sustaining abrasions and an injury to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor attributed to the bus driver. The bus showed no damage, indicating the impact may have been with a non-damaging part of the vehicle or a glancing contact. The pedestrian was conscious and injured at the intersection, with no contributing factors listed on her part beyond the driver’s failure to yield. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in yielding at intersections, especially involving large vehicles like buses.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747340 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan traveling east on the Long Island Expressway struck another vehicle on its right side doors. Two women, the driver and front passenger, suffered injuries including a back fracture. Police cited unsafe speed and driver distraction as causes.

According to the police report, at 2:30 AM on the Long Island Expressway, a 24-year-old female driver traveling east in a 2020 Mazda sedan was involved in a collision impacting the right side doors of her vehicle. The driver was injured with a fractured back and was in shock, secured by a lap belt and harness. The front passenger, also 24, was injured and in shock. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors for the driver. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the other vehicle, which was unspecified. Both occupants were not ejected. The report highlights driver errors—unsafe speed and distraction—as key causes of the crash, with no contributing factors attributed to the passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744970 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An 81-year-old man crossing Queens Boulevard with the signal was struck by a sedan making a left turn. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive. The pedestrian suffered bruises and lower leg injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:36 AM on Queens Boulevard near 63 Avenue in Queens. A sedan traveling east was making a left turn when it struck an 81-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3, but remained conscious. The report cites driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as contributing factors. The vehicle showed no damage despite impact at the left front bumper. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and operating a 2020 Nissan sedan. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver inattention and failure to yield to pedestrians at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737001 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

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 2024-06-07

Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07