Murray Hill’s kill zone: Northern Boulevard and the bodies we count

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

Feb 28 - Council targets sidewalk blockades. DOT must clear stoop line stands before licenses. No stand can choke the path. Pedestrian flow comes first. Ung leads the push. Streets stay open. Sidewalks stay safe.

Bill Int 0457-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Member Sandra Ung, it demands written DOT approval before any stoop line stand license is issued or renewed. The bill’s title states: 'approval prior to issuing or renewing a stoop line stand license.' DOT must confirm stands do not block pedestrian movement, factoring in sidewalk crowding and, if near a narrowing structure, a site visit. Ung sponsors the measure. The bill aims to keep sidewalks clear for people, not obstacles.

• File Int 0457-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council moves to block sidewalk choke points. DOT must approve stoop line stands. No stand can squeeze walkers. Site visits required near sidewalk pinch points. Ung leads. Pedestrians get space. No more blind spots.

Int 0457-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Member Sandra Ung, the bill demands written DOT approval before any stoop line stand license is issued or renewed. The matter title states: 'department of transportation approval prior to issuing or renewing a stoop line stand license.' DOT must ensure stands do not block pedestrian flow, factoring in sidewalk crowding and, if needed, site visits. If a stand sits within 10 feet of a structure that narrows the sidewalk, a site visit is mandatory. Ung sponsors. The bill aims to keep sidewalks clear for people, not obstacles.

• File Int 0457-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council moves to block sidewalk choke points. DOT must approve stoop line stands. No stand can squeeze walkers. Site visits required near sidewalk pinch points. Ung leads. Pedestrians get space. No more blind spots.

Int 0457-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Member Sandra Ung, the bill demands written DOT approval before any stoop line stand license is issued or renewed. The matter title states: 'department of transportation approval prior to issuing or renewing a stoop line stand license.' DOT must ensure stands do not block pedestrian flow, factoring in sidewalk crowding and, if needed, site visits. If a stand sits within 10 feet of a structure that narrows the sidewalk, a site visit is mandatory. Ung sponsors. The bill aims to keep sidewalks clear for people, not obstacles.

• File Int 0457-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 23 - Two vehicles crashed on 149 Street in Queens. A 55-year-old passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The collision involved a station wagon SUV going straight and a sedan making a left turn. Driver failure to yield caused the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:15 on 149 Street near Northern Boulevard in Queens. The collision involved a 2022 Toyota SUV traveling east going straight ahead and a 2021 Porsche sedan traveling south making a left turn. The point of impact was the right front bumper of both vehicles, with damage to the center front end of the SUV and right front bumper of the sedan. The report cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor to the crash. A 55-year-old female occupant seated in the right rear passenger position of the SUV was injured, sustaining neck injuries described as whiplash. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness at the time. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior. The collision highlights driver error in yielding at the intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4704929 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - 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

Feb 8 - Council moves to hike fines for riding bikes, e-bikes, and scooters on city sidewalks. The bill targets sidewalk riding with stiffer penalties. No mention of street safety or driver accountability.

Bill Int 0037-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since February 8, 2024. The measure, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...increasing civil penalties for operating a bicycle, bicycle with electric assist, or electric scooter on the sidewalk,' seeks to raise fines for sidewalk riding. Council Members Stevens (primary), Gennaro, Ung, Brewer, Brannan, and Morano sponsor the bill. The action: referral to committee. The summary states, 'This bill would increase each of the existing civil penalties for operating a bicycle, a bicycle with electric assist (commonly referred to as an “e-bike”), or an electric scooter on the sidewalk.' No safety analyst assessment is available. The bill focuses on penalties, not on street design or driver behavior.

• File Int 0037-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

Feb 5 - Steel struck a man crossing with the light on Northern Boulevard. His ribs broke under the force. He stayed awake, chest crushed, streetlights burning above. The driver’s name remains unknown. The city’s danger pressed down, unyielding.

A 53-year-old man was struck while crossing Northern Boulevard near 153rd Street, according to the police report. The report states the pedestrian was 'crossing with the light' at the intersection when he was hit in the chest by an unspecified vehicle. The man suffered broken ribs and crush injuries but remained conscious at the scene. The police report does not list any contributing factors from the driver, nor does it provide details about the vehicle or the driver’s identity. The report emphasizes the pedestrian’s lawful crossing—'crossing with the signal'—and notes the severity of his injuries. No driver errors are specified, but the impact left the pedestrian injured in the intersection, highlighting the persistent dangers faced by those on foot in New York City’s streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700472 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 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

Jan 27 - Two sedans collided at Northern Boulevard and 150 Street in Queens. The female driver making a left turn suffered neck injuries from the crash. Police cited unsafe speed and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:35 on Northern Boulevard near 150 Street in Queens. Two sedans were involved: one traveling east going straight ahead and the other making a left turn traveling west. The female driver of the westbound sedan was injured, sustaining neck injuries described as whiplash. She was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. The report identifies unsafe speed and failure to yield right-of-way as the primary contributing factors to the crash. The point of impact was the right front bumper on both vehicles. The male driver of the eastbound sedan was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The collision resulted in damage to the right front bumpers of both vehicles. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4698300 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 31 - A driver was injured in a crash on 160 Street in Queens. The impact caused facial abrasions. The driver was conscious but hurt. Distraction was a factor in the incident.

A collision occurred on 160 Street in Queens, injuring a 41-year-old male driver. According to the police report, the driver suffered facial abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The crash involved a BMW sedan and a Subaru SUV. The police noted 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness at the time of the crash. No other details about the victims or their actions were provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4691722 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 28 - NYPD and DOT flood streets for New Year’s. Cops target drunk, reckless drivers. Speed cameras snap violators. Senator John Liu backs tougher laws. City pushes to lower legal blood alcohol limit. The goal: fewer deaths, less carnage, safer streets.

On December 28, 2023, New York City launched an aggressive drunk driving enforcement campaign for New Year’s weekend. The effort, led by the NYPD and Department of Transportation, aims to keep inebriated motorists off the roads. Senator John Liu, representing District 16, publicly supported the crackdown and advocated for lowering the legal blood alcohol limit from .08 to .05. The campaign includes increased police patrols and active speed cameras. The official matter summary states: 'Drunk driving crackdown: NYC launches aggressive enforcement campaign for New Year’s weekend.' Liu said, 'Cracking down on drunk driving, which continues to destroy lives and families, is the right focus as New Year's approaches.' The DOT notes fatalities from drunk driving have risen nearly 30% in recent years. City lawmakers back state legislation to reduce the DWI threshold, aiming to save lives and protect vulnerable road users.

• Drunk driving crackdown: NYC launches aggressive enforcement campaign for New Year’s weekend, amny.com, Published 2023-12-28

Dec 14 - A Toyota SUV hit a 69-year-old woman as she crossed Parsons Boulevard with the light. The impact shattered her hip. She stayed conscious, lying in the street. The SUV showed no damage. The driver continued straight after the crash.

A 69-year-old woman was crossing Parsons Boulevard with the signal when a southbound Toyota SUV struck her on the right side. According to the police report, 'A 69-year-old woman crossed with the light. A southbound Toyota SUV struck her right side. Her hip shattered. She lay conscious in the street. The SUV bore no mark. The driver kept going straight.' The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to her hip and upper leg but remained conscious. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were detailed in the data. The woman was not at an intersection but was crossing with the signal. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4688146 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 12 - A 50-year-old male bicyclist was injured on Northern Boulevard near 158 Street in Queens. The cyclist suffered back contusions after a left-side collision. The rider was conscious and not ejected. The crash involved confusion by the bicyclist.

According to the police report, a 50-year-old male bicyclist traveling west on Northern Boulevard was injured in a collision involving a left-side impact. The bicyclist sustained back contusions and remained conscious. The report lists the contributing factor as "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion." No other vehicles or driver errors were specified. The bicyclist was not wearing safety equipment. The crash caused damage to the left side doors of the bike. The report does not indicate any other vehicle involvement or driver faults. The bicyclist was not ejected from the vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4686874 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 2 - A 19-year-old female sedan driver suffered head injuries and whiplash in a collision with a pickup truck. The crash struck the sedan’s right side doors. Driver inattention caused the impact. Both vehicles traveled straight before the crash.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 171 Street involving a 2015 Ford sedan and a 2022 Dodge pickup truck. The sedan, driven by a 19-year-old female, was struck on the right side doors by the pickup truck, which hit with its center front end. The sedan driver sustained head injuries and whiplash but was not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The sedan driver was wearing a lap belt. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4684409 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 1 - A tanker truck struck a slowing sedan from behind on 167 Street in Queens. Three sedan occupants suffered neck injuries and whiplash. All were conscious and restrained. The tanker hit the sedan’s center back end, causing serious impact and injury.

According to the police report, a tanker truck traveling north on 167 Street rear-ended a sedan that was slowing or stopping. The collision impacted the sedan’s center back end and the tanker’s center front end. Three occupants in the sedan—driver, front passenger, and right rear passenger—were injured with neck injuries and whiplash. All were conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors, only unspecified factors. The tanker driver’s actions led to the crash by striking the sedan from behind. No ejections occurred. The injuries were confined to the sedan occupants; the tanker had one occupant who was not reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4684425 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 30 - SUV turned right on 162 Street. Passed too close. Hit a 65-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She suffered fractures and dislocations to her leg and foot. Driver held only a permit.

According to the police report, a 65-year-old woman was crossing 162 Street with the signal when a 2007 Chevrolet SUV made a right turn and passed too closely, striking her with the right front bumper. She suffered fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver, a man with a New York permit license, was cited for 'Passing Too Closely.' The report lists this as the primary contributing factor. No other contributing factors, such as helmet use or signaling, were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4683536 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 30 - A driver killed 3-year-old Quintas Chen in Flushing, Queens, then fled. The street is notorious for crashes. Advocates blame curb cuts and poor design. Officials call Chen’s death preventable. The city promises fixes, but families keep mourning children.

On November 30, 2023, a hit-and-run driver killed 3-year-old Quintas Chen in downtown Flushing, Queens. The driver pulled out of a parking lot, struck Chen, and fled. Police later arrested a 20-year-old suspect for leaving the scene and driving without a license. Assembly Member Ron Kim, who walks the block daily, called out the area’s longstanding dangers: 'We've always recognized there was a problem on this block.' The street, College Point Boulevard, has seen 276 crashes since 2019. Advocates, including Danny Harris of Transportation Alternatives, called Chen’s death preventable and demanded citywide safe street improvements. Harris said, 'We know how to make our streets safe, especially for our youngest and most vulnerable New Yorkers.' Mayor Adams pledged to daylight and redesign 1,000 intersections each year, but advocates argue this is not enough. The tragedy highlights the deadly risk curb cuts and poor street design pose to children and families.

• Cops Search for Hit-and-Run Driver Who Killed 3-Year-Old in Queens, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-30

Nov 20 - Governor Hochul killed a bill to study expanding the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway greenway. Cyclists and pedestrians lose a safe route. Lawmakers backed the plan. The veto leaves vulnerable road users with dirt paths and danger. The greenway remains unfinished.

On November 20, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill that would have required the state Department of Parks and Recreation and the Office of Mental Health to study expanding the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway greenway into Nassau County. The bill passed both the state Senate and Assembly unanimously. The matter summary called for a study to extend the greenway, which runs parallel to the hazardous Union Turnpike. State Senator John Liu sponsored the bill and vowed to keep pushing for the project, saying, 'I’m confident we’ll get there.' Hochul’s veto cited budget concerns and the risk of 'duplication and unnecessary bureaucracy.' Advocates like Joby Jacob called the veto a blow to years of organizing, noting that people are forced to walk dirt paths where sidewalks should be. The veto blocks progress on a safer route for cyclists and pedestrians.

• Hochul Vetoes Bill To Expand Eastern Queens Greenway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-20

Nov 17 - Two sedans crashed on 22 Avenue in Queens at 10:17 p.m. Both drivers were going straight when they collided front to front. One driver, a 21-year-old man, suffered chest injuries and whiplash. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on 22 Avenue in Queens at 10:17 p.m. Both drivers were traveling straight when the collision occurred. The report identifies failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. A 21-year-old male driver was injured, sustaining chest injuries and whiplash. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. The report does not list any other contributing factors or victim errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4680684 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19