No More Blood on Northern Boulevard

Feb 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

Feb 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

Feb 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

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

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 16 - A 77-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by a northbound taxi making a right turn on Franklin Avenue in Queens. The taxi hit her with its center front end, causing hip and upper leg injuries. Driver failure to yield was cited.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling north on Franklin Avenue in Queens was making a right turn when it struck a 77-year-old female pedestrian crossing at the intersection with the signal. The point of impact was the taxi's center front end. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg and was reported to be in shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors attributed to the driver. The taxi driver was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The crash occurred at 16:42, highlighting a critical failure in driver yielding behavior that led to serious injury of a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703761 - 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 10 - A 27-year-old man was struck and severely injured by a speeding SUV on Whitestone Expressway. The impact caused contusions over his entire body. The crash occurred away from intersections, with driver unsafe speed cited as a key factor.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old pedestrian was injured on Whitestone Expressway after being struck by a Station Wagon/SUV traveling northbound at an unsafe speed. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was performing 'Other Actions in Roadway' at the time. The SUV's front end sustained center front end damage, indicating a direct collision. The pedestrian suffered contusions over his entire body but remained conscious. No pedestrian behavior was cited as contributing to the crash. The focus remains on the driver's failure to control speed on a high-speed expressway, highlighting the systemic danger posed by excessive vehicle speed in urban areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701472 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 9 - A 42-year-old male driver suffered head injuries and abrasions after his SUV collided at unsafe speed. The vehicle struck an object on the left front quarter panel, deploying airbags. Driver inattention and distraction contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old male driver operating a 2023 Honda SUV on the Whitestone Expressway was injured in a crash at 13:27. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The vehicle impacted with its left front quarter panel, causing damage and deploying the airbags. The driver was conscious and sustained head injuries and abrasions but was not ejected from the vehicle. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The crash involved no other vehicles or pedestrians. The evidence highlights driver errors—speeding and distraction—as central causes of the collision and resulting injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701704 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 6 - A 41-year-old man crossing Bowne Street was struck by a southbound sedan. The impact hit his back. He suffered internal injuries. The driver kept going straight. No driver errors listed. The man was seriously hurt.

According to the police report, a 41-year-old male pedestrian was hit by a southbound 2020 Tesla sedan while crossing Bowne Street outside an intersection. The right front bumper struck the pedestrian's back, causing internal injuries. The man remained conscious at the scene. The sedan showed no damage. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not cite any driver errors such as Failure to Yield or Reckless Driving. The data notes the pedestrian was crossing with no signal or crosswalk. No helmet or signal use is mentioned. The report highlights the severe harm faced by pedestrians outside crosswalks, even when no explicit driver fault is recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700775 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 3 - A 42-year-old man crossing Main Street met the front of an Audi SUV. Blood pooled on cold asphalt. He stayed conscious, head split open. The driver did not stop. The city’s danger pressed in from every direction.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old man was crossing Main Street at Blossom Avenue in Queens when an Audi SUV traveling south struck him head-on. The report states the collision occurred at 6:40 a.m. The pedestrian suffered severe lacerations to his head, with blood visible on the street, but remained conscious at the scene. The driver of the Audi did not stop after the impact. The police narrative notes the pedestrian was crossing without a signal, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor to the crash. Instead, both contributing factors are marked as 'Unspecified.' The driver’s failure to remain at the scene stands out as a critical failure in duty and responsibility. The focus remains on the driver’s actions and the systemic dangers present at this intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700101 - 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 16 - A 45-year-old man riding an e-bike was injured when an SUV pulled out from parking on Kissena Boulevard in Queens. The SUV’s front center struck the e-bike’s rear center. The e-bike rider suffered a concussion and back injury, left unconscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 7 p.m. on Kissena Boulevard in Queens. The SUV, driven by a licensed male driver, was starting from a parking position traveling north when it struck the e-bike from behind. The point of impact was the SUV’s center front end hitting the e-bike’s center back end. The e-bike rider, a 45-year-old man, was injured with a concussion and back injury, and was found unconscious. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any fault or errors by the e-bike rider. The SUV driver’s action of pulling out from parking and colliding with the e-bike indicates a failure to yield or lack of awareness of the vulnerable road user. No helmet use or victim behavior was cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695609 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 14 - A 71-year-old man crossing College Point Boulevard with the signal was struck by an SUV making a left turn. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cite the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, at approximately 12:30 PM on College Point Boulevard, a 2018 SUV making a left turn struck a 71-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing with the signal. The impact occurred at the vehicle's left front bumper, causing contusions and injuries to the pedestrian's knee, lower leg, and foot. The pedestrian remained conscious after the collision. The report explicitly identifies the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the primary contributing factor. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle southwestbound. Vehicle damage was limited to the left front bumper. This crash highlights the dangers posed by turning vehicles failing to yield to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695015 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 14 - A 50-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan struck her on Roosevelt Avenue. The pedestrian was hit while in the roadway outside an intersection. The driver was traveling straight east when the collision occurred.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Roosevelt Avenue struck a 50-year-old female pedestrian who was in the roadway but not at an intersection. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The vehicle's point of impact was the center front end, indicating a direct collision. The report cites "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as a contributing factor, highlighting confusion or error on the pedestrian's part. There is no mention of driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but not ejected. The driver was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors or safety equipment use were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695308 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 13 - A Chevy SUV slammed into a 26-year-old man near Northern Boulevard. His head split open. Blood pooled. The driver looked away. The walker fell and did not rise. The SUV rolled on, untouched, as the street bore the mark.

According to the police report, a Chevy SUV traveling near 127-48 Northern Boulevard in Queens struck a 26-year-old male pedestrian. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe head lacerations, with blood pooling on the street. The driver was cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The narrative confirms the driver 'looked away for a moment' before the collision. The SUV showed no damage, but the impact left the pedestrian with significant injuries. No mention is made of pedestrian error or behavior contributing to the crash. The police report centers the cause on the driver's lack of attention, underscoring the persistent danger faced by those on foot when drivers fail to remain alert.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4694815 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19