Richmond Hill Bleeds While Leaders Stall: Lower the Speed, Save a Life

A 62-year-old woman driving an SUV suffered neck injuries after a taxi struck her vehicle’s left rear bumper. The crash occurred on the Van Wyck Expressway in Queens. Driver inattention and distraction caused the collision, according to the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:00 PM on the Van Wyck Expressway in Queens. A 62-year-old female driver of a 2019 Nissan SUV was traveling eastbound when her vehicle was struck on the left rear bumper by a 2024 Toyota taxi also traveling eastbound. The SUV driver, who was wearing a lap belt and remained conscious, sustained a neck injury described as whiplash. The report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor to the collision. Both vehicles were moving straight ahead prior to impact. There is no indication of victim fault or contributing behaviors from the SUV driver. The taxi driver’s failure to maintain attention directly led to the rear-end collision and the occupant’s injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759618 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

A 43-year-old woman suffered severe leg injuries after a sedan failed to yield while making a right turn on Vanwyck Expressway. The collision occurred at a marked crosswalk where the pedestrian was crossing without a signal. The driver caused the impact.

According to the police report, a 43-year-old female pedestrian was injured in Queens on Vanwyck Expressway at 21:33. The pedestrian was crossing at a marked crosswalk without a crossing signal when a 2024 Kia sedan, driven by a licensed male driver, made a right turn and failed to yield the right-of-way. This driver error is cited twice as the contributing factor. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating the impact was likely at low speed but sufficient to cause serious injury. The report explicitly identifies the driver’s failure to yield as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757944 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

SUV hit sedan on Atlantic Avenue. Driver in sedan suffered head injury. Police cite traffic control disregard. Night crash. System failed to protect. Metal and flesh collided.

According to the police report, an SUV and a sedan collided at 11:30 p.m. on Atlantic Avenue near 130 Street in Queens. The SUV struck the sedan's left front bumper with its center front end. The sedan's driver, a 44-year-old woman, suffered a head contusion but remained conscious and restrained. Police listed 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the main contributing factor, highlighting a failure to obey traffic signals. No other factors were cited. The crash left one person injured and exposed the danger of ignored controls on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756063 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV veered, struck a 27-year-old cyclist. Rider thrown, body battered. Shock set in. Bike untouched. Metal and flesh collided on Vanwyck Expressway. Unsafe lane change left pain and chaos.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old male bicyclist was riding south on Vanwyck Expressway in Queens when a southbound SUV changed lanes unsafely and struck him. The SUV’s right front quarter panel hit the cyclist’s left side, ejecting him from his bike. The bicyclist suffered injuries to his entire body and experienced shock and pain. The SUV, a 2005 model with two occupants, was damaged on its right front quarter panel. The police report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor. No contributing factors related to the bicyclist’s behavior or safety equipment are noted. The crash underscores the risk posed by reckless driver actions to people on bikes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752468 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

A high-speed crash on 114 Street in Queens sent three riders flying. Two drivers and one passenger suffered bruises and fractures. All were ejected from their vehicles. Unsafe speed caused the violent impact, leaving injuries to neck, limbs, and joints.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:08 on 114 Street near Atlantic Avenue in Queens. The collision involved a moped traveling west and an e-scooter heading south, both going straight ahead. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor for both drivers. Three males were injured: a 30-year-old moped driver, a 16-year-old e-scooter driver, and a 16-year-old passenger on the moped. All three were ejected from their vehicles. Injuries included contusions and bruises to the neck and lower limbs, as well as a fracture and dislocation to the elbow and hand. None of the injured wore safety equipment. The report highlights driver error—specifically unsafe speed—as the cause of the crash and resulting injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746791 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two men suffered neck injuries in a multi-sedan crash on 121 Street in Queens. Both drivers were conscious and wearing seat belts. The collision involved rear-end impacts caused by following too closely, according to the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:40 on 121 Street in Queens involving three sedans traveling southbound. The report cites "Following Too Closely" as the primary contributing factor. Two male drivers, ages 37 and 66, were injured with neck injuries described as whiplash. Both were conscious and restrained by lap belts and harnesses at the time of the collision. The vehicles sustained center front and center back-end damage consistent with a rear-end chain reaction. The report explicitly notes driver error in maintaining unsafe following distances, leading to the pileup. No pedestrian or cyclist involvement was reported. The focus remains on driver failure to keep proper spacing, which triggered the crash and subsequent injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738839 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped driver traveling east on Jamaica Avenue collided with a backing sedan. The moped driver, unlicensed and speeding, was ejected and suffered a severe hip and upper leg injury. The sedan was damaged on its rear quarter panel.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:14 AM on Jamaica Avenue in Queens. The moped driver, a 24-year-old male, was traveling east and struck a sedan that was backing up. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Other Vehicular' factors as contributing causes. The moped driver was unlicensed and was ejected from the vehicle, sustaining a fractured and dislocated hip and upper leg injury. The sedan, a 2022 Tesla, sustained damage to its center back end and right rear quarter panel. The sedan had no occupants at the time. The report highlights driver errors on the moped operator’s part, specifically unsafe speed and lack of a valid license, as central to the crash. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737055 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi traveling north struck a sedan entering a parked position in Queens. The impact hit the sedan’s center back end, injuring a 20-year-old rear passenger. Driver distraction contributed to the crash, leaving the passenger with hip and leg injuries.

According to the police report, a collision occurred in Queens at 2:10 AM involving a northbound taxi and an eastbound sedan entering a parked position. The taxi’s right front quarter panel struck the sedan’s center back end. The sedan carried no driver or occupants, but a 20-year-old male rear passenger was injured, sustaining hip and upper leg injuries and whiplash. The passenger was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for both vehicles. The sedan driver’s distraction while entering a parked position and the taxi driver’s inattention while traveling straight ahead led to the impact. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights systemic risks from driver distraction in vehicle interactions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736943 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV swung right. E-bike rolled east. Metal hit flesh. Rider slammed, head scraped, stayed awake. Driver’s blocked view, bad lane use led to pain. Jamaica Avenue, Queens. Another cyclist down.

According to the police report, an SUV making a right turn on Jamaica Avenue collided with an eastbound e-bike at 7:58 AM. The SUV’s center front end struck the right side of the e-bike. The 27-year-old male e-bike rider suffered head abrasions but remained conscious. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors, both pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. No contributing factors were attributed to the e-bike rider. The crash highlights the danger faced by cyclists when drivers fail to maintain proper lane use and visibility.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735238 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi and a sedan collided head-on at 1:56 AM on 112 Street in Queens. The taxi driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited traffic control disregard as the primary cause. Both drivers were licensed men traveling straight ahead.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 1:56 AM on 112 Street in Queens involving a 2020 Toyota taxi and a 2013 Volkswagen sedan. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead when the crash happened. The taxi was hit on its left front quarter panel, while the sedan sustained damage to its center front end. The taxi driver, a 28-year-old man wearing a lap belt and harness, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report explicitly lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor twice, indicating driver error in failing to obey traffic signals or signs. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The collision highlights the dangers of disregarding traffic controls in Queens.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732663 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07