Queens Boulevard Bleeds—And City Hall Lets It Happen

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 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

Two SUVs collided eastbound on the Long Island Expressway. Inexperienced, distracted driving led to a rear-end crash. Three people suffered whiplash and back injuries. Metal twisted. No pedestrians involved.

According to the police report, two Station Wagon/Sport Utility Vehicles traveling eastbound on the Long Island Expressway collided when one SUV rear-ended the other. The driver of the striking vehicle, a 59-year-old man, was cited for driver inexperience and distraction. He suffered neck whiplash. Two passengers in the same SUV, a 43-year-old woman and a 59-year-old man, sustained back injuries and whiplash. The point of impact was the left rear bumper of the Honda SUV and the right rear bumper of the Mercedes SUV. The report highlights driver error—specifically inexperience and distraction—as the cause. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708901 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck a merging SUV on the Long Island Expressway at 3:42 a.m. Tire failure and driver distraction caused the crash. A 34-year-old man suffered severe leg bleeding and shock. Steel crumpled. Sirens arrived after the silence broke.

According to the police report, at 3:42 a.m. on the Long Island Expressway, a sedan collided with a merging SUV. The report identifies 'Tire Failure/Inadequate' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The sedan, traveling west, impacted the left rear bumper of the SUV during its merge. The crash caused significant vehicle damage and severe injury to a 34-year-old man, who suffered heavy bleeding from his leg and was in shock. He was wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report does not list any victim behavior as contributing factors. Driver distraction and mechanical failure were central to this crash, highlighting ongoing systemic dangers on New York highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707759 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council wants every e-bike and scooter tagged and tracked. Plates on wheels. Riders face new rules. Lawmakers say it’s about order. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait.

Int 0606-2024 was introduced on March 7, 2024, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring that every bicycle with electric assist, electric scooter and other legal motorized vehicle be licensed and registered," would force all e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles not covered by DMV rules to register with DOT and display visible plates. Council Member Inna Vernikov is the primary sponsor, joined by 26 co-sponsors including Holden, Farías, Riley, and others. The bill was laid over in committee and has not advanced. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• File Int 0606-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Council eyes bigger NYPD tow pounds. Bill demands enough space to haul away law-breaking cars. Public reports would track towing. Committee shelves action. Streets wait.

Int 0179-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, would require the NYPD to run tow pounds with enough capacity to deter illegal driving. The bill, introduced February 28, 2024, and discussed again on April 28, 2025, reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to police department tow pound capacity.' Council Member Kamillah Hanks led as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Farías, Narcisse, Restler, Hudson, Louis, and Holden. The bill also calls for public reports on towing operations. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users.

• File Int 0179-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council targets repair shops and rentals clogging city streets with business vehicles. Fines hit hard. Streets clear for people, not profit. Committee weighs next move.

Bill Int 0227-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after its introduction on February 28, 2024. The measure, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...prohibiting certain commercial establishments from parking vehicles on city streets,' cracks down on auto shops, rental businesses, and gas stations using public streets for business parking. Council Members Nantasha M. Williams (primary sponsor), Vickie Paladino, Erik D. Bottcher, and Robert F. Holden back the bill. Violators face $250–$400 daily fines and possible impoundment. The law aims to reclaim curb space for the public, not private fleets. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0227-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council moves to stop drivers from hogging curb. No more saving spots with cars. No more leaving vehicles parked for weeks. Streets clear, rules tight. Holden leads the charge. Committee weighs the bill.

Bill Int 0223-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Member Robert F. Holden, it bans using a car to reserve a public parking space and blocks parking in one spot for over five days. The matter title: 'prohibiting the use of a vehicle to reserve a parking space and prohibiting the continuous parking of a vehicle in the same location for more than five consecutive days.' Holden sponsored the bill, now under committee review. The Department of Transportation must alert vehicle owners and stakeholders. No safety analyst has yet assessed the impact on pedestrians or cyclists.

• File Int 0223-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council wants DOT to check 100 speed camera spots a year for raised speed bumps. If possible, bumps go in within a year. DOT must track and report on driver behavior changes. No delay. No loopholes.

Int 0161-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Members Louis (primary), Carr, Ung, Holden, Ariola, Paladino, and Morano. The bill orders DOT to assess at least 100 speed camera locations each year for raised speed reducer feasibility. If feasible, DOT must install the bump within a year. The law demands annual reports on these checks and on shifts in dangerous driving at treated sites. The bill summary reads: 'requiring a raised speed reducer feasibility assessment at speed camera locations.' Council aims to force physical changes where cameras alone fail.

• File Int 0161-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council moves to stop drivers from hogging curb. No more saving spots with cars. No more leaving vehicles parked for weeks. Streets clear, rules tight. Holden leads the charge. Committee weighs the bill.

Bill Int 0223-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Member Robert F. Holden, it bans using a car to reserve a public parking space and blocks parking in one spot for over five days. The matter title: 'prohibiting the use of a vehicle to reserve a parking space and prohibiting the continuous parking of a vehicle in the same location for more than five consecutive days.' Holden sponsored the bill, now under committee review. The Department of Transportation must alert vehicle owners and stakeholders. No safety analyst has yet assessed the impact on pedestrians or cyclists.

• File Int 0223-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council moves to stop drivers from using cars as barricades. No more saving spots. No more leaving cars idle for days. Streets clear. Danger drops for those on foot and bike.

Bill Int 0223-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Member Robert F. Holden, it bans using vehicles to reserve parking and blocks cars from sitting in one spot over five days. The matter title reads: 'prohibiting the use of a vehicle to reserve a parking space and prohibiting the continuous parking of a vehicle in the same location for more than five consecutive days.' Holden sponsored the bill, which also requires DOT outreach to alert drivers and stakeholders. No votes yet. The bill aims to keep curb space moving and cut hazards for people outside cars.

• File Int 0223-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council moves to stop drivers from using cars as barricades. No more saving spots. No more leaving cars idle for days. Streets clear. Danger drops for those on foot and bike.

Bill Int 0223-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Member Robert F. Holden, it bans using vehicles to reserve parking and blocks cars from sitting in one spot over five days. The matter title reads: 'prohibiting the use of a vehicle to reserve a parking space and prohibiting the continuous parking of a vehicle in the same location for more than five consecutive days.' Holden sponsored the bill, which also requires DOT outreach to alert drivers and stakeholders. No votes yet. The bill aims to keep curb space moving and cut hazards for people outside cars.

• File Int 0223-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Danielle Aber died on Nassau Avenue. The driver, Stanley Manel, had 26 speed camera tickets. He faced minor charges. Officials demand action: lower speed limits, force repeat offenders to install speed controls, and redesign deadly streets. The city’s inaction kills.

"Assembly Member Gallagher carries legislation requiring drivers with six or more speeding tickets in a year – or with 11 or more points on their license in 18 months – to install an intelligent speed assistance device in their car that prevents speeding." -- Dennis P. Gallagher

On February 25, 2024, after Danielle Aber was killed by a repeat speeding driver in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, a coalition of elected officials demanded sweeping changes. The group—Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Council Member Lincoln Restler, and U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez—called for passage of two state bills: one mandating intelligent speed assistance devices for drivers with six or more speeding tickets in a year, and 'Sammy’s Law,' which would let the City Council lower speed limits. Their statement read, 'We’re calling on the New York State legislature to pass two critical bills that would lead to fewer incidents of traffic violence.' They also urged the Department of Transportation to install raised crosswalks and daylighting at intersections, and to convert Nassau and Norman avenues to one-way streets. The officials’ push highlights the deadly gap in accountability and infrastructure that leaves vulnerable road users at risk.

• Greenpoint Woman Dies from Injuries Sustained in Crash, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-02-25

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 2024-02-13

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 2024-01-30

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 2024-01-30

A sedan traveling north on Eliot Avenue hit a minicycle moving west, causing injuries to the sedan driver. The collision impacted the sedan’s right side doors. Police cite failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor in this Queens crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:02 AM on Eliot Avenue in Queens. A 2013 Honda sedan traveling north struck a minicycle traveling west. The point of impact was the right side doors of the sedan, which sustained damage there. The sedan driver, a 34-year-old male, suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises. He was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report explicitly lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor to the collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The minicycle driver’s details and injuries are not specified, but the focus remains on the sedan driver’s failure to yield, highlighting systemic danger at this intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4691918 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council Member Holden pushed a helmet law for all cyclists. The bill died in committee. Riders faced a $50 fine. No change for city streets. The danger remains. Cars still rule the road.

"A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear" -- Robert F. Holden

Int 1259-2023, introduced by Council Member Robert F. Holden, aimed to require every bicyclist in New York City to wear protective headgear. The bill was filed at the end of session by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, with key dates on December 6 and December 31, 2023. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' Holden sponsored the bill, which would have fined unhelmeted riders up to $50. The bill stalled and did not become law. No systemic change for vulnerable road users. The threat from cars remains unaddressed.

• File Int 1259-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-12-31

Council backs harsher penalties for drivers who hide plates. Obscured tags let reckless motorists dodge cameras and tickets. The bill aims to stop evasion and protect people on city streets.

Resolution 0866-2023, filed by the Committee on Public Safety, urges Albany to pass S.2447/A.5234. The measure, sponsored by Council Member Robert F. Holden, calls for increased penalties for purposefully obstructed license plates. The resolution states: 'increase the penalties for purposefully obstructed license plates.' It was introduced and voted on in December 2023. The bill would let authorities confiscate plate coverings, suspend registrations, and block VINs. Obscured plates let drivers evade speed and red-light cameras, putting pedestrians and cyclists at risk. The council wants tougher enforcement to keep streets safer for all.

• File Res 0866-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-12-31

Council backs harsher penalties for drivers who hide plates. Obscured tags let reckless motorists dodge cameras and tickets. The bill aims to stop evasion and protect people on city streets.

Resolution 0866-2023, filed by the Committee on Public Safety, urges Albany to pass S.2447/A.5234. The measure, sponsored by Council Member Robert F. Holden, calls for increased penalties for purposefully obstructed license plates. The resolution states: 'increase the penalties for purposefully obstructed license plates.' It was introduced and voted on in December 2023. The bill would let authorities confiscate plate coverings, suspend registrations, and block VINs. Obscured plates let drivers evade speed and red-light cameras, putting pedestrians and cyclists at risk. The council wants tougher enforcement to keep streets safer for all.

• File Res 0866-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-12-20