No More Excuses: Slow Down or More Will Die

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 northbound SUV was struck on its left rear quarter panel by a sedan making a left turn on Baisley Boulevard. The SUV driver, a 35-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and bruising. Police cite driver inattention as a key factor in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Baisley Boulevard in Queens at 5:00 a.m. A 2017 Honda SUV traveling north was hit on its left rear quarter panel by a 2023 Nissan sedan making a left turn. The SUV driver, a 35-year-old female occupant, was injured with neck contusions and bruises but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the collision. There is no indication of victim fault or contributing behaviors from the SUV driver. The sedan driver’s failure to maintain attention while executing the left turn led to the impact and injuries sustained by the SUV driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732698 - 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

A northbound SUV struck the rear of a sedan making a left turn on Bedell Street in Queens. The sedan driver, a 43-year-old woman, suffered head injuries and shock. Both vehicles sustained center-end damage in the collision.

According to the police report, at 9:39 AM on Bedell Street in Queens, a 2010 SUV traveling north struck the center back end of a 2019 sedan that was making a left turn. The sedan driver, a 43-year-old woman, was injured with head trauma and experienced shock. She was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. The SUV driver, also licensed and female, was traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of the SUV and the center back end of the sedan. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the sedan driver but does not identify any explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision caused injury to the sedan driver and significant vehicle damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727786 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided at 8:07 AM on 137 Avenue. Both male drivers suffered injuries and shock. Police report cites driver inattention and distraction as the cause. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

At 8:07 AM on 137 Avenue, two sedans collided, injuring both drivers, according to the police report. One driver, a 33-year-old male, sustained knee, lower leg, and foot injuries and was wearing a lap belt. The other driver, a 54-year-old male, suffered head injuries and whiplash, also restrained by a lap belt. Both drivers experienced shock. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for both drivers, with no other specified causes. One sedan was traveling north going straight ahead, while the other was making a left turn traveling east. The point of impact was the center front end of the first vehicle and the right front quarter panel of the second. Both vehicles sustained damage consistent with these impact points. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732695 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 42-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by a sedan making a right turn. The driver’s inattention caused a severe shoulder injury. The impact occurred at a Queens intersection, leaving the pedestrian fractured and dislocated but conscious.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Baisley Boulevard at an intersection in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2016 Kia sedan, traveling south and making a right turn, struck him with the right front bumper. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a severe injury described as a fractured, distorted, and dislocated upper arm and shoulder, with an injury severity rating of 3. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally but failed to maintain attention, resulting in the collision. The vehicle sustained no damage. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted beyond crossing with the signal.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724265 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs slammed together on 128 Avenue in Queens. One driver suffered chest injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles hit head-on. Police cite driver error as the cause.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on 128 Avenue in Queens at 15:34. Both drivers were licensed women from New York. The first SUV, heading east, was struck on its left front bumper. The second SUV, moving south, took damage to its center front end. The 53-year-old driver of the first vehicle suffered chest trauma and whiplash, found incoherent at the scene. She wore a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as the main contributing factor for both drivers, pointing to driver error without further detail. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash shows the risks of vehicle-on-vehicle impact on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721775 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 64-year-old woman was struck at an intersection on Baisley Boulevard while crossing with the signal. The sedan driver, making a right turn, failed to yield and was inattentive. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Baisley Boulevard made a right turn and struck a 64-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at an intersection. The pedestrian was injured, sustaining contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at level 3. The report cites driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The point of impact was the vehicle's center front end, indicating the pedestrian was hit directly during the turn. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The driver was licensed and operating a 2009 Chevrolet sedan. No pedestrian behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722215 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 12-year-old girl suffered a hip and upper leg injury after being hit by an SUV in Queens. The driver, distracted and inattentive, struck the pedestrian outside a crosswalk. The girl was conscious and sustained abrasions but no severe trauma.

According to the police report, a 12-year-old female pedestrian was injured at 17:56 in Queens near 179-21 144 Avenue. The pedestrian was crossing the street outside a crosswalk when a 2024 Honda SUV traveling south struck her with its center front end. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating the driver's failure to maintain focus. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg, described as abrasions, and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. This crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving and the vulnerability of pedestrians crossing outside designated signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716232 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.

This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.

• Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-04

A motorcycle and sedan collided on Baisley Boulevard in Queens. Both drivers were making left turns when the crash occurred. The motorcycle driver suffered full-body contusions and shock. Police cited improper lane usage and driver distraction as causes.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:36 on Baisley Boulevard in Queens. Both vehicles, a motorcycle and a sedan, were traveling north and making left turns when they collided. The point of impact was the motorcycle's center front end and the sedan's right side doors. The motorcycle driver, a 47-year-old man wearing a helmet, was injured with contusions over his entire body and experienced shock. The report attributes the crash to driver errors including 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' on the part of the motorcycle driver. No contributing factors related to the victim's behavior were noted. The collision highlights systemic dangers related to improper lane use and distracted driving during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713474 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 2024-03-27

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 2024-03-20

A $117 million federal grant pushes the QueensWay park forward on an old rail line. Rail advocates warn this blocks future transit. City Hall claims both park and rail can coexist. For now, the city’s money backs the park, not the train.

On March 15, 2024, a $117 million federal grant was awarded for the QueensWay, a 3.5-mile park on an abandoned Long Island Rail Road spur in Queens. This follows Mayor Adams’s earlier $35 million commitment. The matter centers on whether to build a park or restore rail service—"Its purpose is to derail the train," said Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director. City Hall, represented by spokesperson Charles Lutvak, insists, "The proposed Met Hub does not preclude an MTA project if [MTA officials] determine one is feasible." Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi echoed, "Those two don't directly conflict." State Sen. James Sanders Jr. continues to push for QueensLink funding. The city’s investments so far favor the park, leaving the rail proposal in limbo. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• New Fed Grant for Queens Park Project Pushes Rail Proposal to the Brink, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-15