Blood on the Crosswalk: South Jamaica Pays for City Hall’s Inaction

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

Two sedans collided head-on on Queens’ 155 Street. Both drivers were distracted, causing the crash. A 36-year-old female driver suffered a hip and upper leg contusion. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the impact.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on 155 Street in Queens at 9:44 p.m. Both drivers were traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor for both drivers. The female driver, age 36, was injured with a contusion to her hip and upper leg but was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. Both vehicles sustained center front-end damage, indicating a head-on impact. The male driver was licensed in New York. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report. The crash underscores the dangers of driver distraction leading to serious injury and vehicle damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758645 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan making a right turn collided with an e-bike traveling straight on 111 Avenue in Queens. The 70-year-old e-bike rider suffered a head abrasion but was conscious. Police cite the sedan driver’s failure to yield as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:03 on 111 Avenue in Queens. A sedan, driven by a licensed female driver traveling south and making a right turn, struck an e-bike traveling southwest straight ahead. The point of impact was the left front bumper on both vehicles. The e-bike rider, a 70-year-old man, was injured with a head abrasion but remained conscious and was not ejected. The police report explicitly states the contributing factor as 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' by the sedan driver. No other contributing factors were listed for the e-bike rider. The collision highlights the danger posed by vehicle drivers failing to yield to vulnerable road users like e-bike riders.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749527 - 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 67-year-old man suffered serious hip and upper leg injuries after stepping out from behind a parked sedan on 160 Street in Queens. The vehicle’s front center end was damaged. The pedestrian was left in shock with internal complaints.

According to the police report, a 67-year-old male pedestrian was injured while emerging from in front of or behind a parked 2016 Honda sedan on 160 Street in Queens at 8:46 p.m. The vehicle was stationary before the crash, and the point of impact was the center front end of the sedan, which sustained damage. The pedestrian suffered hip and upper leg injuries with a severity level of 3 and was reported to be in shock with internal complaints. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian, but no driver errors or violations such as failure to yield or speeding were cited. No helmet or crossing signal factors were noted. The incident highlights the dangers pedestrians face when stepping out from behind parked vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747553 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan traveling east struck a parked pickup truck on 172 Street in Queens. The front passenger in the sedan suffered a head injury and minor bleeding. Driver distraction caused the collision, leaving the passenger in shock and injured.

According to the police report, at 18:14 on 172 Street in Queens, a sedan traveling east collided with a parked pickup truck. The point of impact was the sedan's center front end striking the pickup truck's left front bumper. The sedan carried eight occupants, including a 32-year-old female front passenger who was injured with a head wound and minor bleeding, and was wearing a lap belt. The report identifies driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor to the crash. The injured passenger was not ejected but was in shock following the collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747548 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Metal shrieked at 160th and 110th. An SUV struck a sedan turning wrong. A 63-year-old man, belted in, sat crushed and conscious, his back broken. The street held him still. Dawn broke over shattered glass and broken bone.

At the corner of 160th Street and 110th Avenue in Queens, a violent collision left a 63-year-old male driver with severe back injuries. According to the police report, a sedan executed an improper turn and failed to yield the right-of-way, leading to a forceful impact with a northbound SUV. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The injured driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, remained conscious but suffered crush injuries to his back. The police narrative describes the scene: 'Metal screamed at dawn. A sedan turned wrong. The SUV struck hard. A 63-year-old man, belted in, sat crushed and conscious, his back broken.' The crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver errors—specifically, improper turning and failure to yield—on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745477 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 35-year-old woman riding an e-scooter was ejected and suffered a head injury after colliding with a parked concrete mixer on 180 Street in Queens. The crash involved driver inattention and resulted in a concussion and serious injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 180 Street near Liberty Avenue in Queens at 3:45 PM. A concrete mixer truck was parked when the e-scooter, traveling west, struck its left rear bumper. The e-scooter driver, a 35-year-old woman, was ejected from her vehicle and sustained a head injury, including a concussion. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the collision. The concrete mixer showed no damage, indicating the e-scooter bore the impact. The injured rider was conscious after the crash but suffered serious injury severity level 3. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were listed. The incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving even when vehicles are stationary.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744856 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Governor Hochul’s halt on congestion pricing guts $12 billion in MTA contracts. Thousands of jobs vanish. Local companies lose out. Lawmakers in affected districts stay silent or cheer. Trains and buses face deep cuts. Riders, workers, and streets pay the price.

On July 24, 2024, Governor Hochul’s official pause on congestion pricing triggered a $12 billion loss in MTA contracts, according to a Reinvent Albany report. The move slashes funding for the 2020-24 MTA capital plan, which was to be partly paid by congestion pricing. The report highlights that many companies losing contracts are in districts represented by lawmakers who either support the pause or have stayed silent. Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick called congestion pricing 'simply another tax' and demanded repeal. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow praised the pause, saying it allows time to address 'communities' concerns.' Frank Russo, president of Ozone Park Lumber, warned, 'You can't just say, 'We're not going to buy supplies and equipment.'' Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany said, 'Congestion pricing is an economic booster.' The pause means less money for transit, fewer jobs, and more risk for vulnerable road users who rely on safe, reliable public transportation.

• Hochul’s Congestion Pricing ‘Pause’ Will Cost Area Companies Billions, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-24

A motorcycle rider was ejected and injured in Queens after a sedan made a left turn. The crash involved improper passing and following too closely. The motorcyclist suffered head abrasions despite wearing a helmet.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Brewer Boulevard in Queens at 3:10 PM involving a sedan and a motorcycle. The sedan was making a left turn when it struck the right side doors of the motorcycle traveling north. The motorcyclist, a 36-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained head abrasions. The report cites driver errors including "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" and "Following Too Closely" as contributing factors. The motorcycle driver was conscious but injured, with abrasions noted. The sedan driver’s left turn and the improper lane usage and close following by the motorcyclist combined to cause the crash. Vehicle damage was concentrated on the sedan’s left front quarter panel and the motorcycle’s right side doors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738766 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An SUV traveling east struck another vehicle on its right side at 138-05 109 Avenue, Queens. The SUV driver, a 29-year-old man, suffered chest contusions. Police cite driver inattention as the cause, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:25 in Queens near 138-05 109 Avenue. A 2005 Honda SUV traveling east went straight ahead and impacted the right side doors of another vehicle traveling north. The SUV driver, a 29-year-old male occupant, was injured with chest contusions and remained conscious, restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the collision. The point of impact was the right side doors of the SUV, which sustained damage there. No victim behaviors contributed to the crash. The data highlights driver error—specifically inattention—as the primary cause of this collision and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736805 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A motorcycle rider was ejected and seriously injured when a sedan made a left turn into his path on Sutphin Boulevard. The impact struck the motorcycle’s front center and the sedan’s right side doors. The rider suffered fractures and dislocations.

According to the police report, at 8:06 AM on Sutphin Boulevard, a sedan traveling southeast was making a left turn when it collided with a motorcycle traveling northbound going straight ahead. The point of impact was the sedan’s right side doors and the motorcycle’s center front end. The motorcycle driver, a 20-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained serious injuries including fractures, dislocations, and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan driver, a licensed female from Georgia, was the sole occupant of her vehicle. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but highlights the sedan’s left turn maneuver as the critical action leading to the collision. No pedestrian involvement or victim fault is indicated.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736797 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped driver was ejected and injured in a collision with a sedan on Merrick Boulevard. The crash involved unsafe speed by the moped operator. The driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries but remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:20 on Merrick Boulevard in Queens. The collision involved a moped and a sedan, both traveling eastbound. The moped driver, a 53-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor, specifically linked to the moped operator. Additionally, the moped driver was unlicensed according to New York State records. The sedan struck the moped at the center back end, indicating the moped was hit from behind. The moped driver was wearing a helmet and remained conscious after the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist victims were involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735076 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided head-on and rear-end on 153 Street in Queens. A 22-year-old front passenger suffered a concussion and head injury. The crash involved driver inexperience and distraction, causing significant vehicle damage and serious occupant injury.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling east and west on 153 Street in Queens collided around 6:00 PM. The eastbound vehicle struck the center front end of the westbound vehicle's left rear bumper, causing damage to both cars. The front passenger in the eastbound sedan, a 22-year-old female, sustained a head injury and concussion. The police report cites driver inexperience and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors to the crash. The injured occupant was conscious and protected by an airbag that deployed during the collision. No other contributing factors related to the victim were noted. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead prior to impact. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as inexperience and distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733305 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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 2024-06-07