No More Blood on Northern Boulevard

Apr 18 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 15 - 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

Apr 14 - 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

Apr 12 - A southbound SUV struck a sedan from behind on 31 Road in Queens. Both drivers and a front-seat passenger suffered injuries including head and back trauma. Police cite following too closely and driver distraction as causes of the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:36 on 31 Road near the Whitestone Expressway in Queens. A southbound SUV impacted the left rear quarter panel of a southbound sedan. The sedan carried two occupants: a female driver and a female front passenger. Both occupants were injured, with the driver sustaining head abrasions and the passenger suffering back contusions. Both wore lap belts and harnesses and were conscious after the crash. The SUV driver, a licensed male, was alone and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report attributes the crash to the SUV driver's failure to maintain a safe distance, citing "Following Too Closely" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as contributing factors. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717037 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 12 - A 48-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a vehicle failed to yield right-of-way on College Point Boulevard. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal at the intersection when struck. The driver’s error caused serious harm.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:57 PM on College Point Boulevard in Queens. A 48-year-old male pedestrian was crossing against the signal at the intersection with 40 Road when a vehicle failed to yield right-of-way and struck him. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3, and was conscious at the scene. The report explicitly cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor attributed to the driver. No other vehicle or driver details were provided. The pedestrian’s crossing against the signal is noted but the primary cause remains the driver’s failure to yield. This collision underscores the dangers posed by driver errors at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720399 - 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 9 - A 53-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan traveling south struck her while crossing outside a crosswalk. The vehicle hit her with its center front end, causing contusions and bruises. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on 37 Avenue in Queens struck a 53-year-old female pedestrian crossing outside an intersection without a signal or crosswalk. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian at the center front end, resulting in injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The pedestrian was conscious and complained of contusions and bruises. The report does not list any driver contributing factors such as failure to yield or speeding, nor does it indicate any pedestrian contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead at the time of impact. This collision highlights the dangers pedestrians face when crossing outside designated areas and the serious injuries that can result from vehicle impacts.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716249 - 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 25 - A sedan slammed into another on Franklin Avenue in Queens. The lead driver, a 37-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cite following too closely as the cause.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Franklin Avenue in Queens at 14:09. The trailing sedan struck the lead vehicle’s left rear bumper. The driver of the lead sedan, a 37-year-old woman, was injured in the neck and reported in shock. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the primary contributing factor, highlighting driver error in maintaining distance. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt. No other contributing factors or victim actions were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712461 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 22 - Two sedans collided on 127 Street near Willets Point Boulevard in Queens. The driver of one vehicle suffered a neck injury and whiplash. Police cited unsafe speed as a contributing factor. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:16 on 127 Street near Willets Point Boulevard in Queens. Two sedans were involved: one was parked and then impacted on its left front bumper, while the other was making a right turn. The driver of the first sedan, a 48-year-old male, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash, wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report identifies unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the collision. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash caused damage to the left front bumper of the first vehicle. This incident highlights the dangers posed by excessive speed in vehicle interactions at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4711807 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 22 - An 84-year-old woman was struck by a charter bus making a left turn on Main Street in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal. The bus driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing head injuries to the victim.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:10 on Main Street near Northern Boulevard in Queens. A charter bus carrying 44 passengers was making a left turn when it struck an 84-year-old female pedestrian crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and was conscious at the scene. The report explicitly cites the bus driver's failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The bus's point of impact was the center front end, and no vehicle damage was recorded. The victim's crossing without a signal was noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed in New York and operating a 2012 vehicle. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver errors, specifically failure to yield, in intersections with vulnerable pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712000 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 18 - A 23-year-old man was injured when a sedan making a right turn struck him in a marked crosswalk. The pedestrian suffered contusions to his hip and upper leg. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, contributing to the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:04 in Queens on Frame Place near 41 Road. A 2023 Volvo sedan was making a right turn when it struck a 23-year-old male pedestrian crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to his hip and upper leg and remained conscious after the impact. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The point of impact was the sedan's left front bumper. The driver’s failure to yield right-of-way directly led to the pedestrian’s injuries. No pedestrian behaviors were listed as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710695 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 15 - SUV reversed unsafely on Colden Street. It struck a station wagon’s rear. A 71-year-old woman in the back seat suffered a head injury and shock. She wore a lap belt and harness. The SUV driver’s error caused the crash.

According to the police report, an SUV backed east near 42-55 Colden Street in Queens at 11 p.m. and struck the left rear quarter panel of a northbound station wagon. The report lists "Backing Unsafely" as the contributing factor, pointing to the SUV driver's error. A 71-year-old female passenger in the rear of the station wagon was injured, suffering a head injury and shock. She was restrained by a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. No other contributing factors or victim actions were cited. The SUV had no damage, while the station wagon’s left rear quarter panel was damaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710195 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 8 - A 64-year-old man crossing Kissena Boulevard with the signal was struck by a sedan traveling northwest. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion but remained conscious. The driver disregarded traffic control, causing the collision at the intersection.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling northwest on Kissena Boulevard struck a 64-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian sustained a head abrasion and was conscious after the collision. The report identifies the driver's failure to obey traffic control as the contributing factor, specifically citing 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' The vehicle impacted the pedestrian at the center front end, yet the sedan showed no damage. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal was noted but not listed as a contributing factor. This crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers disregarding traffic controls, resulting in serious injuries to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708344 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 7 - A bus making a left turn struck a northbound e-scooter on Kissena Boulevard in Queens. The e-scooter driver, a 49-year-old man, suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. Police cited the bus driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a key factor.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:20 AM on Kissena Boulevard in Queens. A bus traveling southeast was making a left turn when it collided with a northbound e-scooter. The e-scooter driver, a 49-year-old male, sustained injuries including a fracture, distortion, and dislocation to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report explicitly lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor attributed to the bus driver. The e-scooter driver was conscious and not ejected from his vehicle. There is no mention of any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior or safety equipment. The collision caused damage to the left front bumper of the e-scooter and the right front bumper of the bus. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver errors during turning maneuvers in mixed-vehicle traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707955 - 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 29 - Hyundai sedan slammed its right front bumper. Two women inside, both belted, suffered neck and chest bruises. No pedestrians or cyclists. Both stayed conscious. Crash left scars inside the car.

According to the police report, a 2024 Hyundai sedan traveled north on Van Wyck Expressway at 21:52. The car struck its right front bumper. Inside, a 28-year-old driver and a 29-year-old passenger were both injured—one with chest bruises, the other with neck bruises. Both were conscious, belted, and not ejected. The report lists only unspecified contributing factors and does not cite driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash shows how car occupants face harm even without clear outside causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4706083 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 28 - 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

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