No More Bodies for the Spreadsheet: Demand Safe Streets Now

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

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

Opponents of congestion pricing use subway crime to stir fear and block change. Data shows streets are deadlier than trains. Riders keep riding. Politicians and advocates clash. The real danger: distraction from fixing transit and protecting people on foot and bike.

""They laugh at your concerns because they don't care. Nothing changes because they don't care. And now this moron is going to get billions more dollars on the backs of working people to pad his completely dysfunctional and unaccountable agency -- and openly celebrate it."" -- Vickie Paladino

On January 14, 2025, a public debate erupted over congestion pricing and subway safety in New York City. The matter, titled "Masters of Deflection: Congestion Pricing Foes Stoke Fear of Subway Crime," highlights how some council members and political groups use concerns about subway crime to oppose congestion pricing. Councilwoman Vickie Paladino voiced strong opposition, while advocates like Sara Lind and Ben Furnas countered that such arguments ignore real solutions and endanger transit funding. The article notes, 'Data shows the subway is statistically safer than city streets for both pedestrians and drivers.' Despite visible homelessness and high-profile crimes, most riders continue to use the subway. The debate exposes how fear is weaponized to block policies that could reduce traffic violence and improve safety for vulnerable road users. No direct safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Masters of Deflection: Congestion Pricing Foes Stoke Fear of Subway Crime, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-14

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

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

A 22-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after an SUV struck her at a Queens intersection. The driver failed to yield right-of-way while making a right turn, hitting the pedestrian who was crossing with the signal.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:15 PM on Northern Blvd near Marathon Pkwy in Queens. A 2019 Chevrolet SUV was making a right turn westbound when it struck a 22-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The impact occurred at the vehicle's right front bumper, causing contusions and bruises to the pedestrian's knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but was not cited for any contributing behavior. Vehicle damage was limited to the right front bumper. This collision underscores the dangers posed by driver errors at intersections, particularly failure to yield and distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777368 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 61-year-old woman suffered upper leg injuries after a sedan failed to yield while making a left turn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the vehicle hit her at the intersection on Marathon Parkway in Queens.

According to the police report, a 61-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Marathon Parkway and Van Zandt Avenue in Queens at 7:58 AM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2016 Honda sedan, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with its center front end. The report cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor for the driver. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg and was in shock, complaining of pain or nausea. The vehicle showed no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to yield caused the collision and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774526 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs collided on Northern Boulevard. Four people hurt. Neck injuries. Whiplash. Police cite alcohol as a key factor. Metal twisted. No one ejected. All conscious. Evening streets turned violent.

According to the police report, two SUVs and a sedan crashed on Northern Boulevard in Queens at 20:43. Four occupants—two drivers and two front-seat passengers—suffered neck injuries and whiplash. All were conscious and not ejected. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor, pointing to driver impairment. One SUV was slowing or stopping before impact; another was moving straight ahead. The main impact struck the center back end and rear bumpers. The police report highlights alcohol involvement as the critical driver error. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760340 - 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

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

New York will close 71 streets to cars outside schools this fall. The city adds more car-free zones for kids. Streets once deadly will now be safer for walking, play, and learning. The move targets neighborhoods hit hardest by crashes.

On August 29, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced a record 71 school streets will close to cars this fall. The expansion, not tied to a specific council bill, builds on the Open Streets program, made permanent in 2021. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodríguez said, 'We have created a new framework to give this space back to our school children.' Councilwoman Vickie Paladino celebrated the new open street at PS 129, calling it a win for safe pick-up, drop-off, and play. Funding comes from the Public Space Equity Program, with $30 million focused on under-resourced areas. Street Lab will provide programming and street furniture. The program responds to past investigations showing higher crash and injury rates outside schools, especially in poorer neighborhoods. The city will directly fund management and operations starting in 2025, aiming to make these safety gains permanent.

• More Safe School Streets Coming To NYC This Fall, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-29

Two sedans collided on the Long Island Expressway. The trailing driver struck the lead vehicle’s rear, causing neck injuries. The impact left one driver with whiplash, highlighting dangers of close following on high-speed roads.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Long Island Expressway at 10:08. Two sedans, both traveling west, were involved. The trailing vehicle, a 2017 BMW, was slowing or stopping when it struck the center back end of the lead vehicle, a 2015 Jeep, which was going straight ahead. The point of impact was the center back end of the Jeep and the center front end of the BMW. The contributing factor listed is "Following Too Closely," indicating the trailing driver failed to maintain a safe distance. The injured party was the 23-year-old male driver of the BMW, who suffered neck injuries and complained of whiplash. He was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749574 - 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

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 moving sedan slammed into a parked car on Little Neck Parkway. One driver, a man, suffered bruises to his knee and leg. No driver errors listed. The street stayed dangerous. Impact was sudden.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Little Neck Parkway in Queens struck the right rear bumper of a parked sedan at 7:30 PM. The moving car's right front bumper took the hit. A 43-year-old male driver was injured, suffering contusions to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was not ejected and wore a lap belt and harness. The report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' with no driver errors identified. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. The crash underscores the risks when moving traffic meets parked vehicles, even when no clear violation is recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747809 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck a 42-year-old woman crossing Cullman Avenue. She suffered a bruised upper arm. Limited driver visibility played a role. Queens streets remain dangerous for those on foot.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Cullman Avenue struck a 42-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing outside an intersection. The impact hit her right upper arm, causing a contusion. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, showing the driver’s limited visibility played a key role. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. No vehicle damage was reported. The driver was licensed and going straight. This crash highlights the risks pedestrians face when driver sightlines are blocked on Queens streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746156 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A tractor truck struck the rear of a slowing sedan on the Long Island Expressway. The sedan driver, a 34-year-old man, suffered injuries and shock. Police cite the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause of the collision.

According to the police report, at 5:40 a.m. on the Long Island Expressway, a tractor truck diesel traveling east rear-ended a 2015 Honda sedan that was slowing or stopping. The impact occurred at the center back end of the sedan and the center front end of the truck. The sedan driver, a 34-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, was injured and experienced shock but was not ejected. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating the truck driver failed to maintain a safe distance behind the sedan. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741205 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A pickup truck struck a sedan from behind on the Long Island Expressway. The sedan driver suffered full-body injuries and shock. Glare impaired visibility, contributing to the crash. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound, colliding center to center.

According to the police report, at 6:35 AM on the Long Island Expressway, a 2018 Ford pickup truck traveling eastbound rear-ended a 2014 Chrysler sedan also moving eastbound. The point of impact was the center back end of the truck and the center front end of the sedan. The sedan driver, a 48-year-old man wearing a lap belt and harness, was injured with complaints of pain and nausea and suffered injuries to his entire body, experiencing shock. The report cites glare as a contributing factor, indicating impaired visibility likely affected the pickup truck driver's ability to maintain safe following distance or react in time. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were specified. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. The collision highlights the dangers of glare conditions on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737150 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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