Whitestone’s Toll: Broken Bodies, Broken Promises, No More Delays

May 23 - 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

May 16 - 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

Apr 28 - A sedan struck a motorcycle from behind on Cross Island Parkway in Queens. The motorcycle driver, a 21-year-old man, suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation. Police cited the sedan driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Cross Island Parkway in Queens at 3:00 PM. A sedan traveling westward struck the left front quarter panel of a parked motorcycle, also facing west. The motorcycle driver, a 21-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained a fractured and dislocated upper arm and remained conscious after the impact. The report identifies the sedan driver's errors as "Following Too Closely" and "Passing Too Closely," indicating failure to maintain a safe distance behind the motorcycle. The motorcycle driver was not ejected and was the sole occupant of his vehicle. The sedan had damage to its right front bumper. No contributing factors related to the motorcycle driver were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720805 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 17 - Three SUVs tore north on Cross Island Parkway. Metal slammed metal. Glass exploded. Four men, ages seventeen to forty-four, crushed in their seats. Belts held. Bones broke. Speed carved pain into steel. All awake. All broken.

On Cross Island Parkway, three SUVs collided in a violent chain-reaction, leaving four men aged 17 to 44 with severe crush injuries. According to the police report, all vehicles were traveling northbound when the crash occurred at 19:50. The report describes the scene: 'Three SUVs, metal to metal. A hard strike. Glass burst. Four men, ages 17 to 44, crushed in their seats. Belts held them tight. All awake. All broken. Speed carved the pain into steel.' The official contributing factor listed is 'Unsafe Speed.' This systemic danger—drivers operating at speeds too high for control—directly led to the catastrophic injuries. No other contributing factors were cited for the victims. The report does not attribute any fault to the injured occupants, who were all restrained by seatbelts at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718077 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 11 - 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

Apr 3 - A pick-up truck rear-ended a sedan on Whitestone Expressway. The sedan driver, 22, suffered back injuries and shock. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the cause. Both vehicles were headed north.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck crashed into the back of a sedan on the Whitestone Expressway at 17:20. The sedan's 22-year-old male driver was hurt, suffering back pain and shock. He wore a lap belt and harness. Police list driver inattention and distraction as the main contributing factors. Both vehicles traveled north, straight ahead, when the pick-up truck struck the sedan's center rear. The sedan took damage to its back end; the truck's front end was damaged. The report does not cite any fault or contributing behavior from the injured driver. The crash underscores the risk posed by distracted drivers on fast-moving city roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714678 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 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

Mar 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

Mar 12 - Two sedans collided on Cross Island Parkway at 8:10 AM. The 86-year-old driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police report defective brakes as a key factor. Both vehicles struck on right bumpers during merging and straight travel.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Cross Island Parkway at 8:10 AM involving two sedans traveling north. One driver, an 86-year-old male occupant, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash, remaining conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The collision involved the right front bumper of a 2023 Kia merging and the right rear bumper of a 2019 Audi traveling straight ahead. The report explicitly cites defective brakes as a contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted. The injured driver was not ejected and suffered injury severity level 3. This incident highlights vehicle maintenance failure as a critical cause of harm on the roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709021 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 7 - 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

Feb 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

Feb 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

Feb 28 - Council bill orders speed humps on roads beside parks over one acre. DOT can skip spots if safety or rules demand. Law aims to slow cars where families walk, run, and play.

Int 0262-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill reads: “requiring the installation of speed humps on roadways adjacent to any park equal or greater than one acre.” Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by eighteen co-sponsors. The Department of Transportation must install speed humps unless the commissioner finds a risk to safety or a conflict with DOT guidelines. The law would take effect 180 days after passage. The measure targets streets where parks meet traffic, aiming to slow cars and shield people outside vehicles.

• File Int 0262-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Jan 30 - A 59-year-old male driver suffered back injuries and whiplash after an impact to the roof of his SUV on Cross Island Parkway in Queens. The driver was conscious and restrained, with unspecified contributing factors noted by police.

According to the police report, a 59-year-old male driver was injured in a crash on Cross Island Parkway near Whitestone Expressway in Queens at 10:04 AM. The vehicle, a 2012 Kia SUV traveling southeast, sustained damage to its roof from the point of impact. The driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, was conscious but suffered back injuries and whiplash. The report lists the driver's contributing factors as unspecified, indicating no clear driver error was identified. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved, and the driver was not ejected from the vehicle. The crash details focus on the roof impact and resulting injuries without attributing fault or noting victim behaviors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699023 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 25 - Two sedans collided on 154 Street in Queens. The female driver suffered a concussion and shoulder injury. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as causes. Both vehicles sustained front and side damage in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:52 AM on 154 Street in Queens involving two sedans traveling east and north. The female driver, age 42, was injured with a concussion and upper arm shoulder injury. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver inattention/distraction and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. The male driver was traveling straight ahead eastbound and impacted the left side doors of the female-driven vehicle, which was traveling northbound. Vehicle damage included left front bumper and left rear quarter panel. The collision's impact and injuries highlight critical driver errors without any noted victim fault.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4697637 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 11 - SUV slammed into a 32-year-old woman on 21 Avenue. Aggressive driving left her with abrasions across her body. She stayed conscious. The street bore the mark of reckless force.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old female pedestrian was struck and injured by an eastbound Jeep SUV on 21 Avenue near Murray Street in Queens at 6:30 a.m. The SUV hit her with its right front bumper, causing abrasions to her entire body. The report lists 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as the contributing factor. A parked BMW SUV was also involved, sustaining damage to its left front bumper. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and remained conscious after the crash. No pedestrian actions or helmet use were cited as contributing factors. The data points to aggressive driving as the primary cause of this serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4694392 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 29 - A Nissan turned right on 149th Street. Its bumper hit a woman in the crosswalk. She fell. She was crushed from head to heel. The car was fine. She was not. The street stayed cold and silent.

A 49-year-old woman was crossing 149th Street when a westbound Nissan sedan turned right and struck her with its left front bumper. According to the police report, 'A 49-year-old woman stepped into the crosswalk against the light. A westbound Nissan turned right. Its left bumper struck her. She fell hard. Conscious. Crushed from head to heel. The car was undamaged. She was not.' The woman suffered crush injuries to her entire body and remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction were cited in the data. The driver was licensed and the vehicle was undamaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4692470 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 25 - Sedan slammed left front bumper on Cross Island Parkway. Unlicensed young driver hurt his arm. Police cite reaction to another vehicle. No passengers. No pedestrians. Metal and flesh met hard.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old unlicensed male drove a 2003 Toyota sedan southbound on Cross Island Parkway. He crashed after reacting to an uninvolved vehicle, striking the left front bumper. The driver, alone in the car, wore a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. He suffered abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The report lists 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as the contributing factor, highlighting driver error in response to traffic. No other factors, such as helmet use or signaling, were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4690291 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 7 - A sedan changing lanes struck two parked sedans on Clearview Expressway. The driver suffered back injuries and whiplash but was not ejected. The crash caused right-side and rear damage to the parked vehicles. The driver was conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Clearview Expressway was changing lanes improperly when it collided with two parked sedans. The parked vehicles sustained damage to their right side doors and rear ends. The driver of the moving sedan, a male occupant, was injured with back pain and whiplash but remained conscious and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The crash involved no pedestrians or cyclists, and all drivers held valid licenses.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4685331 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 23 - A 2-year-old boy was hit by an SUV making a left turn on Parsons Boulevard in Queens. The child suffered a head contusion but remained conscious. The driver failed to yield right-of-way amid glare conditions. No vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a Nissan SUV was making a left turn on Parsons Boulevard in Queens when it struck a 2-year-old pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The toddler sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Glare' as contributing factors. The SUV's point of impact was the left front bumper, and no vehicle damage was recorded. The driver was licensed and traveling southbound. The child was not at fault, and no mention of safety equipment was noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4682160 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19