Ozone Park Bleeds While Politicians Stall

A sedan making a left turn on Woodhaven Blvd in Queens struck an object or vehicle, impacting its right rear quarter panel. Three 22-year-old male occupants suffered contusions and bruises, with injuries spanning entire bodies and lower limbs.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:31 a.m. on Woodhaven Blvd near 103 Ave in Queens. The vehicle involved was a 2022 Toyota sedan traveling westbound, making a left turn improperly. The point of impact was the right rear quarter panel, and the vehicle sustained damage to its right rear bumper. The sedan carried four occupants; three 22-year-old males were injured, including the driver and two passengers. Injuries included contusions and bruises affecting the entire body and lower limbs. None of the occupants were ejected, and all remained conscious. The police report explicitly cites 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor to the crash, highlighting driver error as the primary cause. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775525 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An unlicensed male driver of an SUV ignored traffic controls on Rockaway Blvd in Queens, colliding with a sedan. Three vehicle occupants suffered neck and back contusions. Police cite driver inattention and traffic control disregard as primary causes.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:15 PM on Rockaway Blvd in Queens. The unlicensed male driver of a 2003 GMC SUV was traveling west, going straight ahead, when he disregarded traffic control, causing a collision with a northbound 2012 Honda sedan. The SUV's center front end struck the sedan's right rear bumper. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors for the SUV driver. Three injured occupants—two female passengers aged 63 and 28, and a 24-year-old female driver of the sedan—suffered neck and back contusions but were not ejected. All occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors, focusing solely on driver errors and systemic danger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774206 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Ford pickup swung left on 107th Avenue. Its right bumper caught a 64-year-old woman crossing. Blood spilled from her head. The truck stood unmarked. She stayed conscious. The street fell silent, danger written in metal and flesh.

According to the police report, a Ford pickup truck made a left turn on 107th Avenue near 88th Street in Queens. The truck’s right front bumper struck a 64-year-old woman who was crossing the street. She suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The report notes the vehicle was an 'Oversized Vehicle,' listing this as a contributing factor. The pickup showed no visible damage after the collision. The pedestrian was not in a marked crosswalk or at a signal, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor—driver error and the oversized nature of the vehicle are explicitly highlighted. The incident underscores the lethal risk oversized vehicles pose to vulnerable road users in city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772092 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

An 80-year-old woman suffered serious hip and upper leg injuries after a sedan failed to yield while making a left turn. The collision occurred at an intersection on Eckford Avenue, Queens, amid glare that impaired driver visibility.

According to the police report, a 2011 Toyota sedan, traveling south on Eckford Avenue in Queens, struck an 80-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal. The driver was making a left turn when the vehicle's left front bumper collided with the pedestrian. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor from the driver. Additionally, glare was noted as a contributing factor affecting the driver's visibility. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg, classified as injury severity level 3, and was reported to be in shock. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. The incident highlights a critical failure in yielding to a pedestrian legally crossing at an intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764944 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 53-year-old man on a bike was ejected and injured on Cross Bay Boulevard. Failure to yield and ignoring traffic control led to the crash. Blood on the street. System failed him.

According to the police report, a 53-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured after a crash on Cross Bay Boulevard near Pitkin Avenue in Queens at 7:54 p.m. The bicyclist suffered abrasions over his entire body. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The crash involved the center front ends of both vehicles. The bicyclist was not using any safety equipment. The incident underscores the danger when drivers ignore basic rules and the system leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764308 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

An eastbound sedan making a left turn collided head-on with a westbound e-bike on 100 Street in Queens. The e-bike rider suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited the sedan driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

At 8:33 p.m. on 100 Street near 103 Avenue in Queens, a sedan traveling east made a left turn and struck a westbound e-bike head-on, according to the police report. The e-bike rider, a 60-year-old man, was injured with abrasions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report identifies the sedan driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the primary contributing factor. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage upon impact. The e-bike rider was conscious and not ejected from his vehicle. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No other contributing factors were noted. The collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers making left turns without yielding to oncoming cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755327 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 23-year-old e-scooter rider suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a 2023 Kia SUV made an improper left turn on Pitkin Avenue in Queens. The SUV driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing a front-end collision at dusk.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:00 PM on Pitkin Avenue in Queens. The 23-year-old male e-scooter driver, traveling north, was struck by a 2023 Kia SUV going west. The SUV driver was making an improper left turn and failed to yield the right-of-way, leading to a collision at the left front quarter panel of the SUV and the center front end of the e-scooter. The e-scooter rider sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3, and was conscious at the scene. The SUV driver held a permit license and was accompanied by two passengers. The report explicitly cites 'Turning Improperly' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756003 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City Council pulled the jaywalking bill before a vote. Advocates warned new language could blame pedestrians for crashes. The bill would have let people cross mid-block, but now demands they yield to drivers. Racial bias in enforcement remains unaddressed.

On September 12, 2024, the City Council delayed action on a bill to legalize jaywalking. The measure, sponsored by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, passed the Transportation Committee but was withdrawn before a full Council vote. The bill’s summary stated it would 'legalize crossing outside crosswalks and require a pedestrian education campaign.' Advocates objected to last-minute changes that would force pedestrians to yield to drivers, fearing it could criminalize those struck by cars. Narcisse highlighted 'systemic bias in how these laws are enforced.' Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers said, 'There is little evidence to support the claim that criminal or civil offenses for jaywalking change pedestrian behavior or increase pedestrian safety,' and noted racial disparities in ticketing. The NYPD and DOT opposed the bill, citing safety concerns. The bill’s fate remains uncertain, with advocates demanding stronger protections for pedestrians.

• Council Balks on Legalizing ‘Jaywalking’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-12

A sedan slammed into a parked car on Cross Bay Boulevard. Metal buckled. In the back seat, a 52-year-old woman’s spine folded under the force. She wore her belt. The street did not forgive. The city’s danger pressed in.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Cross Bay Boulevard near 135th Avenue struck a parked sedan from behind. The impact targeted the left rear quarter panel of the stationary vehicle. Inside, a 52-year-old woman, belted in the back seat, suffered severe crush injuries to her back. The report states the collision occurred at 14:38 in Queens. Police cite 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor, placing the onus on the driver who failed to maintain a safe distance. No victim behavior is listed as a contributing factor. The narrative underscores the violence of the impact: 'Two tons of steel kissed too close. Her spine folded.' This crash highlights the persistent threat posed by driver inattention and systemic risk on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756020 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 2024-09-10

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

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

Councilwoman Joann Ariola called out Tiffany Cabán for racking up school-zone speeding tickets while pushing to cut car use. Cabán’s platform promised safer streets and fewer cars. Ariola and others say the tickets show a gap between words and actions.

On August 10, 2024, Councilwoman Joann Ariola (District 32) publicly criticized Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán after media reports revealed Cabán received four school-zone speeding tickets and three other violations since November 2022. The matter, covered by the New York Post, states: 'Cabán—who was elected to office on a platform advocating less car use and cracking down on dangerous driving—received four tickets in the past 13 months for speeding her vehicle in school zones.' Ariola, joined by Councilman Robert Holden, accused Cabán of hypocrisy, highlighting the disconnect between Cabán’s advocacy for street safety and her own driving record. Cabán’s policy platform includes converting 25% of city roadways for people, building 1,000 miles of car-free streets, and expanding bus and bike lanes. No formal council bill or committee action is attached to this event, but the public dispute underscores tensions in the city’s push for safer, less car-dominated streets.

• Socialist NYC Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán has amassed nearly $500 in traffic tickets despite pushing anti-car agenda: ‘Hypocrisy’, nypost.com, Published 2024-08-10

A 20-year-old male e-scooter driver suffered a hip and upper leg injury after a collision on 98 Street near Rockaway Boulevard in Queens. The crash involved driver inattention and inexperience, causing bruising and shock.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:22 on 98 Street near Rockaway Boulevard in Queens. The injured party was a 20-year-old male operating an e-scooter, who sustained a contusion and bruising to his hip and upper leg. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as the contributing factors to the crash. The e-scooter driver was not ejected but was in shock following the impact. The collision involved another vehicle making a right turn, traveling east, while the e-scooter was going straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of the e-scooter, which also sustained damage in the same area. The report highlights driver errors as the cause, with no mention of victim fault or contributing victim behaviors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747122 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Low-density districts block City of Yes. Most community boards vote no. High-density areas back the plan. The fight centers on housing, parking, and who bears the city’s growth. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait as politics stall change.

Bill: City of Yes housing proposal. Status: Community board votes and public testimony as of July 22, 2024. Of 57 boards, 38 opposed the plan, 20 supported it, mostly in denser neighborhoods. The proposal, described as aiming to build 'a little more housing in every neighborhood,' faces resistance in low-density areas. Council Member Joann Ariola (R-Woodhaven) opposed more housing in her district, calling it 'suburbs.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso criticized neighborhoods that refuse new housing, saying it increases pressure on poorer areas. Arlene Schlesinger, a Queens resident, voiced strong opposition, especially to lifting parking mandates and adding accessory dwelling units. Community boards, often older and whiter, resist change, leaving the city’s most vulnerable to bear the brunt of housing and transportation inequity.

• Map: How Did Community Boards Vote on ‘City of Yes’ Housing Plan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-22

Queens council members slammed the City of Yes plan. They called new housing near transit a threat. They fought against ending parking mandates. Most public testimony backed the reforms. But Queens officials stood firm, defending car-centric streets and single-family homes.

On July 11, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on the City of Yes zoning reforms. The proposal aims to increase housing near transit, allow mixed-use zoning, and eliminate parking mandates. Council Members Joann Ariola and Vicki Paladino led opposition, calling the plan an 'unmitigated disaster' and disputing housing data. Ariola argued, 'That's what they bought in the suburbs for.' Other Queens officials and residents echoed fears for single-family homeowners and suburban 'character.' In contrast, Borough President Donovan Richards's spokesperson and some residents supported the reforms, citing the city's affordability crisis. The majority of public testimony favored the proposal, but entrenched opposition from Queens officials remains strong. No safety analyst assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• ‘Suburban’ Queens Stalwarts Take Hard Line Against Housing — To Rest of City’s Detriment, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-11

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