Cunningham Park Bleeds While Leaders Stand Still

Feb 5 - A man slammed his Mercedes into a stopped car on the Whitestone Expressway. The impact threw an MTA worker onto the pavement. The driver ran. The worker died. Police found the abandoned car. The driver had no license.

NY Daily News reported on February 5, 2025, that James Vennitti, 63, was arrested for a deadly hit-and-run on the Whitestone Expressway in Queens. On February 10, 2024, Vennitti allegedly rear-ended David Berney, 43, after Berney and another driver stopped in the middle lane following a minor collision. The crash threw Berney from his car, killing him at the scene. The other driver was injured. Vennitti, unlicensed, abandoned his Mercedes and fled on foot. Police arrested him a year later. A grand jury indicted Vennitti for leaving the scene of a fatal crash and driving without a license. The case highlights the lethal risk of unlicensed driving and the dangers of stopped vehicles on high-speed roads.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Queens Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-05

Feb 4 - Senate bill S 4421 seeks a one-year fare-free bus pilot in New York City. Michael Gianaris leads. Robert Jackson, John Liu, Julia Salazar join. The move could shift riders from cars to buses. Status: sponsorship.

Senate bill S 4421, now at the sponsorship stage, proposes a one-year fare-free bus pilot in New York City. The bill summary reads: 'Provides a fare-free bus pilot program in New York City for one year, subject to appropriations.' Michael Gianaris sponsors, with Robert Jackson, John Liu, and Julia Salazar as co-sponsors. Introduced on February 4, 2025, the bill awaits committee review. No safety analyst has assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The pilot could change how New Yorkers move, but its effect on street safety remains unstudied.

• File S 4421, Open States, Published 2025-02-04

Feb 2 - Trump’s push to kill congestion pricing would gut MTA funding. John Liu calls it basic maintenance, not luxury. The plan’s billion-dollar revenue keeps subways running and streets safer. Without it, transit crumbles. Riders and vulnerable road users pay the price.

On February 2, 2025, NYC officials responded to reports of a federal move to repeal congestion pricing, just weeks after its January 5 launch. At a press conference, Council Member John Liu warned, “This is not for fancy stuff. This is basic transit maintenance.” Liu said losing congestion pricing would erase a billion dollars in annual MTA revenue, threatening $15 billion in planned upgrades. The money funds new subway cars, buses, station repairs, and safety improvements. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined Liu, stressing millions rely on transit daily. Both officials opposed the repeal, highlighting the risk to the city’s transit backbone. The bill is not numbered, but the threat is clear: without congestion pricing, the city’s streets and subways grow more dangerous for everyone outside a car.

• Trump repeal of congestion pricing would devastate NYC transit, city pols warn, amny.com, Published 2025-02-02

Jan 23 - Box truck passed too close on the Long Island Expressway. Truck struck sedan’s right side. Three men inside sedan suffered back contusions. All stayed conscious. Passing too closely caused the crash.

According to the police report, a box truck and a sedan were traveling east on the Long Island Expressway at 12:13 a.m. when the truck passed too closely and struck the sedan’s right side doors. The impact left three men in the sedan—ages 20, 27, and 29—with back contusions and bruises. All remained conscious and were not ejected. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as the contributing factor. No fault is assigned to the injured occupants. All wore lap belts and harnesses. The crash highlights the danger of close passing on high-speed roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787708 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 22 - A Toyota RAV4 jumped the curb on 90th Avenue, slammed into a garage, and collapsed the structure. The driver, Mamadou Barry, was trapped. First responders pulled him out, but he died at the hospital. No other injuries reported.

According to NY Daily News (2025-01-22), Mamadou Barry, 63, was driving his Toyota RAV4 along 90th Ave. in Jamaica, Queens, around 5:20 a.m. when he lost control, hopped a curb at 143rd St., and crashed into a detached garage. The impact caused the garage to collapse onto both his SUV and a parked, unoccupied Prius. Police said Barry was trapped and later died at Jamaica Hospital. The article notes, 'he lost control of the SUV, which went crashing into a detached garage in Queens, police said.' Family members stated Barry had no known medical issues. The cause of the crash remains unclear. No other injuries were reported. The incident highlights the dangers faced by drivers and bystanders in residential areas where structures sit close to the street.

• Uber Driver Dies in Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-22

Jan 16 - Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

Jan 16 - Two sedans collided on the Long Island Expressway. The rear vehicle struck the front one’s center back end. A 53-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Long Island Expressway involving two sedans traveling eastbound. The rear vehicle, a 2014 Honda sedan, impacted the center back end of the front vehicle, a 2015 Mazda sedan. The driver of the rear vehicle, a 53-year-old male occupant, sustained neck injuries classified as injury severity 3 and complained of whiplash. He was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the collision. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. There is no indication of victim fault or other contributing factors beyond the driver error of inattention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786072 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 13 - Senate bill S 1675 would force carmakers to face the facts. Every vehicle gets a pedestrian safety score. The public sees it. No more hiding danger behind steel and glass.

Senate bill S 1675, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 13, 2025, it aims to 'create a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles which shall be posted on the department of motor vehicles' website.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The bill demands transparency. It would show the public which cars endanger walkers and which spare them. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the intent is clear: expose the risk, protect the vulnerable.

• File S 1675, Open States, Published 2025-01-13

Jan 12 - A distracted SUV driver rear-ended a sedan on the Long Island Expressway. The sedan’s front passenger, a 65-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash exposed dangers of inattention and tailgating on high-speed roads.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:28 on the Long Island Expressway. A 2018 SUV traveling west struck the center back end of a 2021 sedan also heading west. The report cites driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Following Too Closely" as contributing factors. The sedan’s front passenger, a 65-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The SUV driver’s failure to maintain a safe distance and distraction led to the rear-end collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The report highlights systemic risks from driver inattention and tailgating on busy expressways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785290 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 3 - A westbound SUV merging on the Long Island Expressway rear-ended a tractor truck. The truck driver suffered a back contusion but was conscious and restrained. The collision caused front-end damage to the truck and rear-end damage to the SUV.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:10 on the Long Island Expressway. A station wagon/SUV was merging westbound when it struck the center back end of a tractor truck traveling straight ahead in the same direction. The truck sustained center front end damage, and the SUV had damage to its center back end. The truck driver, a 33-year-old male occupant, was injured with a back contusion but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists the truck driver's contributing factors as unspecified. The SUV driver was licensed and operating the vehicle while merging. This collision highlights the dangers of merging maneuvers on high-speed roadways and the impact on vulnerable vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783415 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 19 - Council bill targets speed. Shared e-bikes and scooters must have speedometers. New riders get capped at 10 mph. Law aims to slow the city’s fastest wheels. Committee review underway.

Int 1145-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced December 19, 2024, the bill would require all shared electric bikes and scooters to have working speedometers. For new riders, electric assist cuts out at 10 mph. The matter title reads: 'requiring that electric bicycles and electric scooters that are part of share systems have speedometers and limit electric speed assistance to new riders.' Council Members Linda Lee (primary sponsor), Gale A. Brewer, and Chris Banks back the bill. Brewer referred it to committee. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill awaits further action.

• File Int 1145-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-19

Dec 9 - Two sedans collided on the Clearview Expressway at 9 a.m. The lead vehicle was slowing when the following car struck it from behind. The driver of the rear sedan suffered neck injuries and whiplash, remaining conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Clearview Expressway at 9:00 a.m. Two sedans traveling north collided when the rear vehicle, a 2022 BMW sedan, struck the back of a 2021 Land Rover sedan that was slowing or stopping. The point of impact was the center front end of the BMW and the center back end of the Land Rover. The BMW driver, a 33-year-old male occupant, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the collision, indicating the rear driver failed to maintain attention, leading to the rear-end impact. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777524 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 18 - City data shows open streets thrive. Storefronts fill up. Pedestrians and cyclists bring life and cash. Cars do not. Vacancy rates drop where traffic is banned. Volunteers keep these corridors alive, but city support lags behind their success.

On November 18, 2024, the Department of City Planning released a report titled 'Storefront Activity in NYC Neighborhoods.' The analysis, covered by Streetsblog NYC, finds that open streets—car-free corridors—have about half the vacant storefronts of car-filled streets. The report states: 'vibrant public spaces are key to the success of local businesses.' City officials like Ya-Ting Liu, chief public realm officer, and volunteers such as Alex Morano and Brent Bovenzi, praised the program's impact. Bovenzi noted, 'the program is shrinking because too much of the burden falls upon volunteer labor.' The Open Streets program, now permanent, covers over 130 locations but relies heavily on volunteers. Advocates urge the city to invest more, as the data shows people-centric design drives economic recovery and safer, more vibrant neighborhoods.

• Car-Free Streets are Good For Business, Yet Another Report Shows, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-18

Nov 13 - A sedan hit a 47-year-old woman outside an intersection on Francis Lewis Blvd. She suffered knee and leg injuries. The car showed no damage. No driver errors listed. The street remains dangerous.

According to the police report, a 47-year-old female pedestrian was struck by a 2015 BMW sedan while in the roadway on Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens. The crash happened at 8:44 AM. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was performing unspecified actions when the sedan, traveling east, hit her at the center front end. She sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. Injury severity was classified as level 3. The report lists no driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Contributing factors for the pedestrian are unspecified. No helmet or crossing signal use was noted as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771117 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 26 - Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 17 - Queens lawmakers slammed e-scooters, calling them chaos. They claimed danger, but city data shows no deaths or serious injuries. Council Member Ung introduced a bill to ban the program. Gennaro and Schulman support it. DOT says the program is safe and popular.

On September 17, 2024, Council Member Sandra Ung announced a bill to ban the Queens e-scooter share program. The bill, co-sponsored by Council Members James Gennaro and Lynn Schulman, follows a press conference where lawmakers denounced the program as hazardous. Gennaro said, "The program, as designed, leads to chaos." Ung called her bill a last resort. Assembly Members Sam Berger and David Weprin, and Community Board 8 Chair Martha Taylor, joined the opposition, citing sidewalk clutter and lack of outreach. However, DOT data contradicts their claims: since the program's June launch, 37,000 riders have taken 290,000 trips with no reported serious injuries or deaths. DOT says it held 35 briefings and implemented parking corrals in dense areas. Despite high ridership and safety records, the bill seeks to end the program, centering political frustration over proven outcomes.

• Queens Pols Have Lots of Claims About the Evils of Scooter-Share, But Few Facts, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-17

Aug 16 - A 71-year-old woman suffered whiplash and whole-body injuries after being struck on Union Turnpike in Queens. She remained conscious despite severe trauma. The police report lists no driver errors or contributing factors, leaving the cause unclear.

According to the police report, a 71-year-old female pedestrian was injured at 7:00 PM on Union Turnpike in Queens. She sustained injuries to her entire body and complained of whiplash but remained conscious. The report identifies her action as 'Other Actions in Roadway' but does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as Failure to Yield or Reckless Driving. The involved vehicle is unspecified with no details on type, driver, or damage. No helmet use or crossing signal information is provided. The absence of cited driver errors in the report leaves the exact cause of the crash undetermined, but the pedestrian suffered serious injuries in the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748484 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19