Queensboro Hill Bleeds While Leaders Stall

A 72-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries after an SUV failed to yield while making a left turn. The pedestrian was crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The impact caused minor bleeding and shock.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:12 AM on 56 Avenue near 152 Street in Queens. A Ford SUV, traveling east and making a left turn, struck a 72-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The report cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the primary contributing factor, placing responsibility on the vehicle driver. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with minor bleeding and shock noted. The SUV showed no damage despite the center front end impact. The report does not list any pedestrian behaviors as contributing factors beyond the crossing location. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but failed to yield, causing the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718082 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck the back of a slowing dump truck on the Long Island Expressway. The sedan driver suffered full-body injuries but remained conscious. Police cited passing and following too closely as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Long Island Expressway around 7:00 AM. A sedan traveling west struck the center back end of a slowing or stopping dump truck also heading west. The sedan driver, a 32-year-old male occupant, was injured across his entire body but remained conscious and was restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report identifies driver errors including "Passing Too Closely" and "Following Too Closely" as contributing factors to the collision. The dump truck driver was licensed and slowing at the time of impact. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash highlights the dangers of insufficient spacing and unsafe passing maneuvers on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718246 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 2024-04-15

Vandals tore hundreds of saplings from Kissena Park. Some trees vanished. Others lay dead in the dirt. ATV tracks scarred the ground. Volunteers, furious, found their work destroyed. The park’s greenway, a lifeline for cyclists, now stands exposed and wounded.

On April 6, 2024, vandals ripped out 300 young trees near the Kissena Park Greenway in Queens. The incident, reported by Streetsblog NYC, left the area between Four Winds Playground and the Kissena Velodrome stripped and scarred. The Kissena Park Connector, part of the Destination Greenways plan, is a vital east-west bike route. Volunteers, who planted the saplings since 2022, found ATV tracks at the scene. Council Member Sandra Ung, a supporter of the greenway and volunteer efforts, urged witnesses to report vandalism. She told NY1, 'Anyone witnessing any vandalism should report it.' The NYPD and Parks Department have investigated but offered no comment. The destruction leaves greenway users—cyclists and pedestrians—more exposed, stripping away natural protection and undermining years of community effort.

• Vandals Commit Mass Arborcide Near the Greenway in Kissena Park, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-14

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

A box truck slammed into the rear of an SUV traveling west on the Long Island Expressway. The impact caused neck injuries to the SUV driver and a right rear passenger. Police cited following too closely and slippery pavement as key factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Long Island Expressway around 1 p.m. A box truck, traveling westbound, collided with the center back end of a 2021 Chevrolet SUV also moving west. The truck's front end struck the SUV's rear, causing damage to both vehicles. The SUV driver, a 35-year-old male, and a 31-year-old male passenger in the right rear seat both suffered neck injuries described as whiplash. Both occupants were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. Police identified 'Following Too Closely' by the truck driver and 'Other Vehicular' factors, along with slippery pavement conditions, as contributing causes. The report highlights driver error in maintaining safe distance, with no mention of victim fault.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714655 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A sedan traveling east struck a parked vehicle on 136 Street in Queens. The driver, a 55-year-old woman, suffered shock but no specified injuries. The collision damaged the left front bumper of the sedan and the left rear bumper of the parked car.

According to the police report, a 55-year-old female driver operating a 2020 Lincoln sedan was traveling east on 136 Street in Queens when her vehicle collided with a parked car. The point of impact was the sedan's left front bumper striking the parked vehicle's left rear bumper. The driver was not ejected and experienced shock but no specified bodily injuries. The report lists no explicit contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The driver was licensed in New York and the vehicle was registered in the state. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved in this crash. The lack of detailed contributing factors suggests the collision may have involved driver inattention or misjudgment while moving from a parked position or navigating near parked cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710239 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan traveling east on 148 Street struck a 37-year-old female pedestrian. The impact fractured her lower leg and foot. Alcohol involvement by the driver contributed to the crash. The victim remained conscious despite serious injuries.

According to the police report, a 2009 sedan driven by a licensed male driver was traveling straight ahead eastbound on 148 Street when the collision occurred. The vehicle struck a 37-year-old female pedestrian, causing fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the sedan, which sustained damage. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash but suffered serious injuries classified as severity 3. The report explicitly cites alcohol involvement as a contributing factor in the crash. No pedestrian actions or behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The driver’s impaired status due to alcohol was a critical error leading to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708771 - 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 moves to outlaw fake plates. Fraud hides reckless drivers. Bill targets sellers, sets fines. Streets need truth. Law aims to strip shields from danger.

Bill Int 0178-2024 sits with the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the sale or distribution of fraudulent license plates," makes it illegal to sell or distribute fake or temporary plates, with civil penalties for violators. Council Member Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Schulman, Ung, Marte, Hudson, Brewer, Brannan, and Avilés. The bill was referred to committee the same day. Fraudulent plates let reckless drivers vanish. This measure aims to close that escape, exposing those who endanger lives.

• File Int 0178-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

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

Council moves to ban car dealers from clogging city streets with vehicles for sale or repair. Fines and impoundment loom. Streets clear. Danger drops for those on foot and bike.

Bill Int 0462-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to limiting the parking of motor vehicles by dealers,' targets car dealers who use public streets as showrooms or repair lots. Sponsored by Francisco P. Moya (primary), with Shahana K. Hanif, Lincoln Restler, and Sandra Ung as co-sponsors, the measure bans dealers from parking, storing, or maintaining vehicles on city streets except for emergencies. Placards are required for vehicles awaiting repair. Violators face fines and possible impoundment. Owners get a defense if ticketed while a dealer holds their car. The bill aims to reclaim public space and reduce hazards for vulnerable road users.

• File Int 0462-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council wants DOT to study how street design can keep commercial trucks out of residential blocks. The bill sits in committee. Streets should shelter people, not heavy traffic.

Int 0114-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to report on 'the utility and feasibility of using street design as a means to limit or reduce the use by commercial vehicles of streets in residential neighborhoods.' Jennifer Gutiérrez leads as primary sponsor, joined by Avilés, the Public Advocate, and others. The bill was referred to committee on the day of introduction. It demands a clear look at how design can push trucks off streets where people walk, bike, and live.

• File Int 0114-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council targets fake and expired plates. Bill sets fines. Ten-day grace for expired tags. Crackdown aims at cars that dodge law and endanger streets. Committee on Public Safety holds the measure.

Int 0177-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle with fraudulent or expired license plates,' makes it illegal to drive with fake or expired plates, including temporary ones. Civil penalties apply, but drivers with expired plates get a 10-day cure period. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Salamanca, Powers, Restler, Won, Brewer, Schulman, Ung, Marte, Hudson, Avilés, De La Rosa, and the Brooklyn Borough President. The bill targets drivers who hide behind illegal plates, a tactic often linked to hit-and-runs and reckless driving.

• File Int 0177-2024, 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 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

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

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