Ozone Park Bleeds While Politicians Stall

Sep 17 - A stopped SUV on Sutter Avenue took a hard rear hit. The 73-year-old woman at the wheel suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police blame driver inattention. Metal crumpled. Traffic stopped. Pain followed.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided on Sutter Avenue in Queens at 13:25. The front SUV, stopped in traffic, was struck from behind by another SUV going straight. The 73-year-old female driver of the stopped vehicle suffered back injuries and whiplash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The impact crushed the rear bumper of the front SUV and the front end of the striking vehicle. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The injured driver wore a lap belt and harness.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756840 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 12 - 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 2025-09-19

Sep 12 - 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 2025-09-19

Sep 12 - 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

Sep 10 - 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 2025-09-19

Sep 10 - 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

Aug 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

Aug 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

Aug 10 - 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

Aug 9 - 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 2025-09-19

Jul 22 - 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

Jul 13 - Ford SUV rear-ends Acura sedan on Tahoe Street. Two passengers hurt. Neck injuries. Whiplash. Police cite improper lane use and distraction. Both victims conscious. Both restrained. Queens street turns dangerous.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV struck the rear left bumper of an Acura sedan near 150-40 Tahoe Street in Queens at 11:55 PM. Both vehicles traveled north. Two sedan passengers, a 59-year-old woman and a 51-year-old man, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both were conscious and wore lap belts and harnesses. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The victims were passengers and not at fault. The crash exposes the risks of lane misuse and distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740023 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 11 - 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

Jun 21 - A sedan making a left turn collided with a bicyclist traveling straight on 103 Avenue in Queens. The bicyclist suffered abrasions to the elbow and lower arm but was conscious and not ejected. Driver errors included failure to yield and unsafe speed.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:40 on 103 Avenue in Queens when a sedan traveling south made a left turn and struck a bicyclist going straight east. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist, a 47-year-old male, sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm and was conscious after the collision. The report cites the sedan driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The bicyclist was not ejected and was not listed as having any contributing behaviors. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time of the crash. Vehicle damage was concentrated at the center front ends of both the sedan and the bike.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735050 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 13 - Three SUVs collided on North Conduit Avenue. A 39-year-old woman suffered chest bruises. Police cite following too closely and distraction. Metal twisted. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, three SUVs traveling east on North Conduit Avenue crashed in a chain collision at 9:15 PM. A 39-year-old female driver suffered chest contusions and remained conscious. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The crash caused front and rear-end damage to the vehicles. The injured driver wore a lap belt and harness. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police highlight driver errors—failure to maintain distance and distraction—as primary causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732551 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 13 - A sedan rear-ended another sedan stopped in traffic on North Conduit Avenue. The front passenger in the struck vehicle suffered a concussion and head injury. The crash occurred early morning, highlighting driver failure to maintain safe distance.

According to the police report, at 5:57 AM on North Conduit Avenue, a sedan traveling west rear-ended another sedan that was stopped in traffic. The collision point was the center back end of the struck vehicle and the center front end of the striking vehicle. The driver error cited was 'Following Too Closely,' indicating the striking driver failed to maintain a safe distance. The front passenger in the struck sedan, a 55-year-old female, sustained a head injury and concussion. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the passenger or other road users. This crash underscores the dangers of tailgating and the severe injuries that can result even in low-speed rear-end collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732283 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 12 - A sedan slammed into a 51-year-old man riding north on Liberty Avenue. The cyclist’s arm shattered. Police blamed driver distraction. The man stayed conscious. Metal and bone broke on a city street.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Liberty Avenue in Queens struck a northbound bicyclist at 3:51 PM. The impact came from the sedan’s left front bumper, hitting the bike’s center front. The 51-year-old cyclist suffered a fractured and dislocated elbow, lower arm, and hand. Police listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the cause. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected. No other contributing factors or victim actions were noted. The sedan, a 2020 Nissan, carried two occupants and was driven by a licensed New York driver. This crash shows the harm caused by driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732255 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 12 - Two sedans collided on Rockaway Boulevard in Queens. Both vehicles were traveling north when one made a right turn. The crash injured two female passengers with back injuries and whiplash. Driver failure to yield right-of-way caused the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:45 on Rockaway Boulevard in Queens. Two sedans were involved: one traveling straight north and the other making a right turn. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the first vehicle and the center front end of the second. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor to the collision. Two female occupants, a 66-year-old front passenger and a 16-year-old rear passenger, were injured with back injuries and whiplash. Both were conscious and not ejected from the vehicles. The 66-year-old was secured with a lap belt and harness. The driver errors, specifically failure to yield, directly contributed to the crash and the resulting injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732630 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - 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

Jun 7 - 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