No More Bodies for the Spreadsheet: Demand Safe Streets Now

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

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 2024-06-06

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 2024-06-06

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 2024-06-06

Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

A southbound SUV struck a motorcycle on Cross Island Parkway, ejecting a 23-year-old female passenger. The impact caused contusions and injuries to her elbow and lower arm. The crash exposed critical driver failure to yield right-of-way on a busy highway.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10 p.m. on Cross Island Parkway involving a 2024 SUV and a 2015 motorcycle, both traveling south. The SUV's right front bumper collided with the motorcycle's center front end. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver did not properly yield to the motorcycle. The motorcycle carried two occupants; the left rear passenger, a 23-year-old female, was ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. She was conscious but seriously injured, wearing a helmet at the time. The report does not assign any contributing factors to the victim's actions, focusing on the SUV driver's error. Vehicle damage included the SUV's right front quarter panel and the motorcycle's left front quarter panel, underscoring the point of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728570 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-05-28

Abandoned poles and wires block sidewalks, trap walkers, and threaten cyclists. This bill sets strict deadlines for removal and transfer. Delay ends. Streets clear. Danger cut.

Int 0921-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 23, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Justin L. Brannan with Holden, Vernikov, Marmorato, and Paladino, demands owners remove abandoned or unsafe utility poles, wires, and appurtenances within 60 days—or immediately if dangerous. Transfers to new poles must happen in 30 days. The matter title reads: 'timelines for the removal of abandoned or unsafe utility poles, wires, and appurtenances, and the transfer of appurtenances to newly erected poles.' Swift action means fewer sidewalk traps and less risk for those on foot or bike.

• File Int 0921-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-23

Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.

On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.

• Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins, nypost.com, Published 2024-05-16

Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.

On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.

• Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins, nypost.com, Published 2024-05-16

A multi-vehicle collision on the Long Island Expressway injured a 46-year-old female driver. The crash involved two sedans and an SUV, triggered by driver distraction and tailgating. The lead driver suffered neck injuries from the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Long Island Expressway at 5 PM involving three vehicles traveling eastbound: two sedans and one SUV. The primary contributing factors were 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely.' The 46-year-old female driver, an occupant in one of the sedans, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The point of impact was the center back end of the lead vehicle and the center front end of the following vehicle, indicating a rear-end collision sequence. The SUV sustained damage to its right rear bumper, suggesting it was struck from behind as well. The report explicitly cites driver errors related to distraction and tailgating as causes, with no mention of victim fault or pedestrian involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726849 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs slammed together on 249 Street. Impact was brutal. Both drivers and front passengers hurt. Police blame unsafe speed and ignored signals. Metal twisted. Bodies jolted. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided head-on on 249 Street in Queens at 9 p.m. Both drivers were going straight, one eastbound, one westbound. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors for both drivers. The crash left both drivers and their front passengers injured, suffering whiplash and head trauma. All victims were conscious and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. No pedestrians were involved. The report highlights driver errors—unsafe speed and disregard for traffic control—as the causes of this violent collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722404 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 78-year-old man suffered severe leg injuries when a pick-up truck making a left turn struck him in Queens. The driver’s view was obstructed and distracted, leading to a collision with the pedestrian off the roadway near Douglaston Parkway.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck was making a left turn near 39-50 Douglaston Parkway in Queens at 9 PM when it struck a 78-year-old male pedestrian. The pedestrian, not in the roadway, sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The point of impact was the truck's right front bumper. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating a 2013 Dodge truck with two occupants. The pedestrian was conscious but seriously injured, highlighting the dangers posed by driver errors such as failing to maintain clear sight lines and attention during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721841 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck the rear of a stopped vehicle on Douglaston Parkway, injuring the driver. The impact caused neck contusions and bruising. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. Both vehicles suffered center back end damage in the northbound lanes.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Douglaston Parkway in Queens around 10:00 a.m. A 2017 Toyota sedan, traveling north and starting in traffic, rear-ended a 2024 Volvo sedan that was stopped in traffic. The point of impact was the center back end of the stopped vehicle. The driver of the Volvo, a 41-year-old female occupant, sustained neck injuries described as contusions and bruises. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness at the time. The police report identifies driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor to the collision. Both vehicles sustained damage to their center back ends. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716643 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council targets hidden plates. Bill makes it a crime to park, stop, or drive with covered tags. Fines reach $1,000. Jail time possible. Committee weighs action. Streets demand accountability.

Int 0766-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on April 11, 2024. The bill reads: “prohibiting the parking, standing, stopping, or operation of a motor vehicle with obscured or defaced license plates.” Council Member Oswald Feliz leads, joined by Holden, Bottcher, Gennaro, Marte, Restler, Ung, and Paladino. The bill sets fines up to $1,000 and possible jail for violators. Each offense is a misdemeanor. The council aims to strip cover for reckless drivers, making it harder to dodge tickets and accountability. No safety analyst note yet, but the intent is clear: end the shield for lawless driving.

• File Int 0766-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

A sedan crashed into a truck on the Long Island Expressway. A 54-year-old woman in the back seat was hurt. Police cite the sedan driver for following too closely. Impact was hard. The danger was real.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on the Long Island Expressway struck the center front end of a truck, also heading east. The sedan's right front bumper hit the truck. The report states the sedan driver was at fault for 'Following Too Closely.' A 54-year-old female passenger in the left rear seat of the sedan suffered whiplash and injuries to her entire body. She was conscious, not ejected, and wore a lap belt. No errors were attributed to the victim or other parties. The crash underscores the risk when drivers fail to keep safe distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714183 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A box truck barreled into a diesel rig’s rear on the Long Island Expressway. Steel twisted. The 25-year-old driver’s legs were crushed. He stayed conscious, pain sharp and unyielding. Following too closely left him broken in the cab.

A violent rear-end collision unfolded on the Long Island Expressway when a box truck crashed into the back of a diesel tractor-trailer, according to the police report. The report states the box truck 'slammed into a diesel rig’s rear,' folding steel and pinning the 25-year-old driver. He suffered severe crush injuries to his legs but remained conscious throughout, with pain keeping him awake. The police report explicitly cites 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for the crash. The impact targeted the center front end of the box truck and the rear of the tractor-trailer. The driver was wearing a lap belt at the time. No other contributing factors are listed in the report. The collision highlights the lethal consequences of driver error and the dangers inherent in truck traffic on city expressways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713180 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04