Six Dead, No Change: Auburndale’s Streets Are Killing Us

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A pick-up truck traveling south on Clearview Expressway struck an obstruction and suffered tire failure. The driver, a 48-year-old man, sustained a head injury and was rendered unconscious. The vehicle's front center end was heavily damaged in the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Clearview Expressway at 1:30 AM. The driver of a 2021 Dodge pick-up truck was traveling straight ahead when the vehicle encountered obstruction or debris on the roadway, which contributed to the crash. Additionally, tire failure or inadequate tire condition was cited as a contributing factor. The impact occurred at the center front end of the vehicle, causing significant damage. The 48-year-old male driver, who was the sole occupant and was restrained by a lap belt, suffered a head injury resulting in unconsciousness and a concussion. The report highlights driver-related factors such as failure to avoid obstruction and tire issues as central to the crash, without attributing fault to any other parties.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703954 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Two SUVs collided head-on on Rocky Hill Road in Queens. Both drivers were women, one suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the cause. The crash caused significant front-end damage to both vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:50 on Rocky Hill Road near the Clearview Expressway in Queens. Two sport utility vehicles, both driven by licensed female drivers, collided while traveling straight ahead—one westbound, the other southbound. The impact was centered on the front ends of both vehicles. The 31-year-old driver of the Hyundai SUV sustained head injuries and whiplash, was not ejected, and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both drivers. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision caused significant damage to the center front end of the Hyundai and the left front bumper of the Jeep. The report does not mention any victim behavior contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703150 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

SUV turned left on 188 Street. Struck a stopped sedan. Driver suffered neck injury and shock. Police blame driver inexperience. Urban streets, hard impact.

According to the police report, a 45-year-old woman driving a 2020 SUV made a left turn on 188 Street near 58 Avenue in Queens. Her SUV’s right front bumper hit the right front bumper of a 2021 sedan that was stopped in traffic. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as the cause. The SUV driver, alone in her vehicle, suffered a neck injury and shock. She wore a lap belt and harness. The sedan driver was also alone and stopped before the crash. The collision underscores the risk when inexperienced drivers attempt complex turns on busy city roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4702755 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

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

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

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

Two elderly pedestrians emerged from behind a parked SUV on Horace Harding Expressway in Queens. A westbound BMW SUV struck them with its front end. Both suffered fractures and dislocations. Driver inattention and defective brakes contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, at 12:50 a.m. on Horace Harding Expressway in Queens, two pedestrians, aged 68 and 74, were injured after emerging from in front of or behind a parked SUV. The report states the driver of a westbound 2017 BMW SUV was inattentive and distracted, contributing to the collision. The BMW struck the pedestrians with its center front end. Additionally, defective brakes on the vehicle were cited as a contributing factor. Both pedestrians sustained fractures and dislocations to their neck and lower extremities but remained conscious. The second pedestrian's contributing factors were unspecified. The parked 2019 Honda SUV was impacted on its center back end. The report highlights driver error and vehicle malfunction as key causes, with no fault attributed to the pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699660 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

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

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

A 42-year-old woman on an e-scooter was ejected and suffered severe full-body injuries in Queens. The crash involved an SUV and a sedan, with driver inattention cited as a key factor. The rider was unconscious at the scene.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Northern Boulevard in Queens at 17:26. A 42-year-old female e-scooter driver was ejected and sustained injuries to her entire body, rendering her unconscious. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as contributing factors. The e-scooter rider was traveling east alongside a sedan and an SUV, both also heading east. The SUV was impacted on its right side doors, indicating the point of collision. The sedan showed no damage. The report explicitly cites driver errors, including inattention and distraction, as causes. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The rider's severe injuries and ejection highlight the dangers posed by distracted driving in multi-vehicle environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4697621 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

State lawmakers unlocked millions from the Outer Borough Transportation Account. The money will fund toll rebates and transit projects. Some cash backs driving. Some boosts buses. Advocates push for more bus service. Riders need better, faster, safer options now.

Bill: Outer Borough Transportation Account (OBTA) funding allocation. Status: Active as of January 24, 2024. Committee: State legislature, with final approval by the Capital Program Review Board. The OBTA, created in 2018, collects a taxi surcharge as 'Phase I' of congestion pricing. The first $300 million funded subway repairs; the next $50 million now goes to projects chosen by state legislators and the governor. The bill summary notes, 'A special fund created in 2018 to pay for transportation 'carrots' intended to counteract the supposed stick of congestion pricing finally has a balance of tens of millions of dollars.' Assembly Member Nily Rozic (D-Queens) secured restored Q46 bus service. Lisa Daglian of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA called for a weekly City Ticket. Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance demanded better bus service, saying, 'The most important thing is better bus service.' The fund will shape how New Yorkers travel as congestion pricing nears.

• The Money For Congestion Pricing ‘Carrots’ Is Finally Here, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-24

A 23-year-old driver was injured in a crash on the Long Island Expressway. The impact was severe. The driver was semiconscious, suffering from head injuries. Unsafe speed was a factor in the collision.

A collision occurred on the Long Island Expressway involving two sedans. One driver, a 23-year-old male, was injured and reported semiconscious with head pain. According to the police report, the crash was attributed to 'Unsafe Speed.' The driver was not ejected from the vehicle but experienced significant bodily injury. No safety equipment status was specified. The investigation revealed that both vehicles were traveling straight ahead before the impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4691251 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

NYPD and DOT flood streets for New Year’s. Cops target drunk, reckless drivers. Speed cameras snap violators. Senator John Liu backs tougher laws. City pushes to lower legal blood alcohol limit. The goal: fewer deaths, less carnage, safer streets.

On December 28, 2023, New York City launched an aggressive drunk driving enforcement campaign for New Year’s weekend. The effort, led by the NYPD and Department of Transportation, aims to keep inebriated motorists off the roads. Senator John Liu, representing District 16, publicly supported the crackdown and advocated for lowering the legal blood alcohol limit from .08 to .05. The campaign includes increased police patrols and active speed cameras. The official matter summary states: 'Drunk driving crackdown: NYC launches aggressive enforcement campaign for New Year’s weekend.' Liu said, 'Cracking down on drunk driving, which continues to destroy lives and families, is the right focus as New Year's approaches.' The DOT notes fatalities from drunk driving have risen nearly 30% in recent years. City lawmakers back state legislation to reduce the DWI threshold, aiming to save lives and protect vulnerable road users.

• Drunk driving crackdown: NYC launches aggressive enforcement campaign for New Year’s weekend, amny.com, Published 2023-12-28