No More Waiting for Blood: Make Oakland Gardens Streets Safe Now

Dec 12 - A sedan driver on Horace Harding Expy hit a parked car. Chest injuries and shock followed. Police cite phone use and ignoring traffic control. Metal twisted. Night split open by impact.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old woman driving east on Horace Harding Expressway in Queens struck a parked sedan at 11:30 PM. She suffered chest injuries and shock. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Cell Phone (hand-Held)' as driver errors. The impact damaged the left rear quarter panel of the parked vehicle. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report highlights the driver's distraction by a handheld phone and failure to obey traffic control, leading to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778291 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 11 - A 25-year-old woman driving south in Queens fell asleep behind the wheel. Her sedan struck the rear of a parked vehicle, causing center front-end damage. She suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was treated for contusions and shock.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:33 AM in Queens near 64-30 Cloverdale Blvd. The driver, a 25-year-old female occupant of a 2023 Acura sedan, was traveling straight ahead when she fell asleep, a key contributing factor cited in the report. Her vehicle impacted the center back end of a parked 2017 Subaru sedan, damaging the front center of her vehicle and the left rear bumper of the parked car. The driver was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. She sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises, and was reported to be in shock. The report explicitly notes the driver’s failure to maintain alertness as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the parked vehicle or victim behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777803 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 15 - A 12-year-old boy was struck by a sedan on Union Turnpike while crossing outside an intersection. The impact injured his lower leg and foot, leaving him conscious with bruises. The driver’s vehicle hit the pedestrian with its left front bumper.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Union Turnpike struck a 12-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing the street outside of an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper was the point of impact, causing injuries to the pedestrian's knee, lower leg, and foot. The boy remained conscious but suffered contusions and bruises. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors such as failure to yield or speeding. The pedestrian's crossing action was noted as 'Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk,' but no contributing factors were specified. The collision occurred at 5:40 PM, and the pedestrian was not at an intersection when struck. The data highlights the danger posed by vehicles traveling straight ahead striking pedestrians outside designated crossing areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771849 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 1 - Two men suffered head injuries in a violent crash on the Long Island Expressway. The pick-up truck struck the sedan’s front center, causing concussions and whiplash. Both drivers were conscious but seriously hurt, restrained by seat belts.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Long Island Expressway around 4:30 AM. A 2013 Ford pick-up truck traveling east collided with a 2020 Honda sedan also heading east. The point of impact was the roof of the pick-up truck and the center front end of the sedan. Both vehicles had two occupants. The sedan’s driver, a 25-year-old male, suffered a concussion and head injury while the front passenger, a 23-year-old male, sustained whiplash and head injury. Both were conscious and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for both injured occupants but does not identify specific driver errors. The collision’s force and impact points indicate a severe crash dynamic, with serious injuries to vehicle occupants despite safety equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771263 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 26 - An Audi SUV sped down 86 Avenue, struck a parked Nissan, and flipped. Both men inside were hurt and in shock. Unsafe speed drove the crash. Metal twisted. The street bore the scars.

According to the police report, an Audi SUV traveling eastbound on 86 Avenue in Queens overturned after colliding with a parked Nissan SUV at 8:10 p.m. The driver, a 39-year-old man, and his 32-year-old front passenger were both injured and in shock. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor, showing the driver lost control before impact. Both occupants wore lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The parked Nissan suffered damage to its left side doors and front quarter panel. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766486 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 5 - A 19-year-old man was struck while crossing Springfield Boulevard outside a crosswalk. The sedan’s front center collided with the pedestrian, causing knee and lower leg injuries. The driver’s inattention was cited as the sole contributing factor.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old male pedestrian was injured crossing Springfield Boulevard outside a crosswalk when a 2023 Kia sedan traveling south struck him with its center front end. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and complained of whiplash. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating the driver failed to maintain proper attention. The vehicle was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No pedestrian behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. This crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving to vulnerable pedestrians outside designated crossing areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761509 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 26 - 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

Sep 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

Sep 17 - Queens lawmakers slammed e-scooters, calling them chaos. They claimed danger, but city data shows no deaths or serious injuries. Council Member Ung introduced a bill to ban the program. Gennaro and Schulman support it. DOT says the program is safe and popular.

On September 17, 2024, Council Member Sandra Ung announced a bill to ban the Queens e-scooter share program. The bill, co-sponsored by Council Members James Gennaro and Lynn Schulman, follows a press conference where lawmakers denounced the program as hazardous. Gennaro said, "The program, as designed, leads to chaos." Ung called her bill a last resort. Assembly Members Sam Berger and David Weprin, and Community Board 8 Chair Martha Taylor, joined the opposition, citing sidewalk clutter and lack of outreach. However, DOT data contradicts their claims: since the program's June launch, 37,000 riders have taken 290,000 trips with no reported serious injuries or deaths. DOT says it held 35 briefings and implemented parking corrals in dense areas. Despite high ridership and safety records, the bill seeks to end the program, centering political frustration over proven outcomes.

• Queens Pols Have Lots of Claims About the Evils of Scooter-Share, But Few Facts, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-17

Aug 16 - A 17-year-old male occupant was ejected from a sport utility vehicle while hanging on its outside. He suffered a head injury and concussion, becoming incoherent. The SUV was parked and impacted at its center back end in Queens near 73 Avenue.

According to the police report, a 17-year-old male occupant was riding or hanging on the outside of a 2007 Acura SUV traveling west near 212-01 73 Avenue in Queens. The SUV was parked before the crash and sustained damage to its center back end, which was also the point of impact. The occupant was ejected from the vehicle and suffered a head injury with a concussion, resulting in incoherence. The occupant was not using any safety equipment. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the occupant. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The crash highlights the dangers of riding outside a vehicle, but the police report does not cite victim behavior as a contributing factor. No failure to yield or other driver errors are explicitly noted in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749670 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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

Jun 20 - A 22-year-old bicyclist was ejected and injured when an SUV struck him from behind on Springfield Boulevard in Queens. The SUV driver was slowing or stopping but followed too closely, causing a collision that injured the cyclist’s lower leg and foot.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:15 PM on Springfield Boulevard in Queens. A 22-year-old male bicyclist, wearing a helmet, was injured and ejected from his bike after being struck by a 2018 Nissan SUV traveling southwest. The SUV driver was slowing or stopping but failed to maintain a safe distance, cited as 'Following Too Closely' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' in the report. The point of impact was the SUV’s right front quarter panel hitting the bicyclist’s left front quarter panel. The bicyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report highlights driver error as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the bicyclist beyond helmet use.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734289 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 14 - A northbound SUV made an improper U-turn on Springfield Boulevard, striking a southbound motorcycle. Two young passengers, ages 7 and 1, suffered facial abrasions. The crash caused right-side damage to the SUV and front-end damage to the motorcycle.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:00 PM on Springfield Boulevard in Queens. The SUV, driven by a licensed male driver, was making a U-turn when it collided with a motorcycle traveling straight south. The impact struck the right side doors of the SUV and the center front end of the motorcycle. Two child passengers, a 7-year-old and a 1-year-old, were injured with abrasions to their faces. The 7-year-old passenger was seated on the right rear or motorcycle sidecar and was conscious with an airbag deployed. The 1-year-old was restrained in a child seat and also conscious. The report cites driver errors including "Turning Improperly" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" by the SUV driver. No contributing factors were attributed to the victims.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732809 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 - 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

Jun 7 - 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

Jun 6 - 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

Jun 6 - Governor Hochul scrapped congestion pricing. The MTA lost a billion a year. Lawmakers scrambled. Senator Liz Krueger rejected a payroll tax hike. The MTA faces a funding cliff. Subway upgrades, elevators, and clean buses now hang in the balance.

""The [payroll] mobility tax is one, we see that as a possibility,"" -- David Weprin

On June 6, 2024, Governor Hochul’s sudden reversal on Manhattan congestion pricing sparked chaos in Albany. The plan, set to start June 30, would have charged drivers $15 to enter below 60th Street, raising $1 billion yearly for transit. Hochul proposed a payroll tax hike instead, but State Senator Liz Krueger opposed it, saying, "I do not think we have an appetite for that in the Senate." The bill’s fate is uncertain as the legislative session ends. The MTA board, city officials, and business groups all voiced concern. Projects like the Second Avenue Subway, subway accessibility, and zero-emission buses now face cancellation. No alternative funding plan exists. Vulnerable riders—those who rely on transit—stand to lose the most.

• Gov. Hochul’s congestion toll flip-flop spurs mad scramble at NY Capitol, gothamist.com, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 6 - Council members slam Hochul’s last-minute NYC tax hike to replace congestion pricing. Transit funding hangs in limbo. Liz Krueger says the tax lacks support. Riders and workers face uncertainty as lawmakers reject new burdens and demand fairer solutions.

On June 6, 2024, State Sen. Liz Krueger (District 28) and other lawmakers responded to a proposed New York City tax hike meant to replace the indefinitely postponed $15 congestion pricing tolls. The measure, debated as Bill 28, has not advanced in committee and faces strong opposition. The matter, described as 'a last-minute funding move that drew fierce opposition,' has Krueger stating, 'I think it does not have support.' Assemblyman Brian Cunningham echoed, 'No new taxes.' The proposal would raise the payroll mobility tax, already increased last year, to fund the MTA. Rep. Jerry Nadler and business groups argue the tax unfairly targets NYC, while congestion pricing would have spread costs regionally. With the legislative session ending, MTA projects remain at risk. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• Outrage mounts as Hochul pushes last-minute NYC tax hike to replace congestion tolls: ‘Insulting joke’, nypost.com, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 3 - 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