No More Excuses: Slow Down or More Will Die

Mar 27 - 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

Mar 20 - 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

Mar 15 - 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

Feb 17 - Two SUVs crashed on Merrick Boulevard in Queens. Both drivers suffered whiplash and back or neck injuries. Impact was hard. Both were conscious. Driver errors fueled the crash.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided on Merrick Boulevard in Queens at 16:03. A 2012 Chevrolet SUV struck the center front end while heading east. A 2020 Ford SUV, traveling north, was hit on its left rear quarter panel. Both drivers—a 45-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman—were injured with whiplash and back or neck trauma. Both remained conscious and were not ejected. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor for both drivers, pointing to driver errors as the cause. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703183 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 11 - Two sedans collided on 140 Avenue in Queens. Both drivers, women aged 39 and 28, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash involved a right-turning vehicle struck in the rear by a sedan traveling straight. Driver distraction was cited as a factor.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 140 Avenue in Queens at 19:13. Two sedans, both Nissan models, were involved. One driver, a 39-year-old woman, was making a right turn when her vehicle was struck in the center back end by another sedan traveling straight east. Both drivers were female and licensed in New York. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both drivers. Both occupants were conscious but sustained neck injuries and whiplash, wearing lap belts and harnesses. The collision point and vehicle damage confirm the rear-end impact. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The report highlights driver distraction as the primary cause without attributing fault to the injured occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4702925 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 8 - Two vehicles collided on Baisley Boulevard during lane changes. The right rear passenger in one vehicle suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inexperience and distraction as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck and a sedan collided on Baisley Boulevard at 16:40 while both drivers were changing lanes. The point of impact was the right rear quarter panel of the pick-up truck and the right front quarter panel of the sedan. The report identifies driver inexperience and driver inattention or distraction as the primary contributing factors. A 37-year-old male occupant seated in the right rear passenger position of one vehicle sustained neck injuries and complained of whiplash. He was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness at the time of the crash. The report does not indicate any fault or contributing behavior from the injured passenger. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver errors during lane changes on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701219 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 5 - A westbound SUV stopped in traffic struck the right rear bumper of another vehicle on 140 Avenue in Queens. The impact caused back injuries and whiplash to a 29-year-old male passenger restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, a 2022 Toyota SUV traveling west on 140 Avenue in Queens was stopped in traffic when it rear-ended another vehicle, impacting the right rear bumper and causing damage to the center back end. The collision injured a 29-year-old male occupant seated in the left rear passenger position of the struck vehicle. He was conscious and suffered back injuries and whiplash, despite wearing a lap belt and harness. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors explicitly, but the nature of the crash indicates a failure to maintain safe distance or attention by the SUV driver. No victim behaviors or pedestrian involvement were noted. The driver of the SUV was licensed in New York.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4702850 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 4 - A 78-year-old man driving a sedan suffered chest injuries and shock after a rear-end collision involving multiple parked vehicles on Baisley Boulevard in Queens. Police cite passing too closely as a key contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a 78-year-old male driver was injured in a multi-vehicle collision on Baisley Boulevard in Queens at 9:26 AM. The driver, restrained by a lap belt and harness, sustained chest injuries and was in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The crash involved several parked vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and vans, all struck on their rear or side panels. The report identifies 'Passing Too Closely' as the primary contributing factor, indicating driver error in maintaining safe distance. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision caused damage to multiple vehicles, with the injured driver’s sedan impacted at the right front bumper. The report highlights systemic danger from driver failure to maintain proper clearance in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699961 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 23 - Two sedans collided on 140 Avenue in Queens, injuring passengers in one vehicle. The crash involved a left-turning sedan and a westbound sedan. Unsafe speed was cited as a contributing factor. Two rear passengers suffered back injuries and whiplash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:10 on 140 Avenue in Queens involving two sedans. One vehicle was traveling westbound going straight ahead, and the other was making a left turn northbound. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the westbound sedan and the right side doors of the left-turning sedan. The report cites "Unsafe Speed" as a contributing factor to the collision. Two male rear passengers in the westbound sedan were injured, both suffering back injuries and whiplash. Both occupants were conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victims. Driver error, specifically unsafe speed, played a central role in causing the crash and resulting injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4697356 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 17 - A 13-year-old boy crossing with the signal was struck by an SUV making a right turn on Brewer Boulevard in Queens. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg contusions. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:35 AM on Brewer Boulevard near 137 Avenue in Queens. A 13-year-old male pedestrian was crossing the intersection with the signal when he was struck by a northbound SUV making a right turn. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor by the vehicle driver. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the impact. The SUV showed no visible damage despite the collision. The driver was licensed and operating a 2012 Nissan SUV. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report. The crash highlights driver error in yielding to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695924 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 9 - A motorbike slammed into a sedan on Brewer Boulevard. The rider took a blow to the head. Police blamed driver inattention. The street stayed open. The sedan’s front quarter crumpled. The crash left one man hurt.

According to the police report, a 58-year-old man riding a motorbike southbound on Brewer Boulevard collided with a southbound sedan at 19:55 in Queens. The motorbike’s left front bumper struck the sedan’s right front quarter panel. The rider suffered a head injury and concussion but remained conscious and was not ejected. Police cited 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were listed. The motorbike driver was unhelmeted, but helmet use was not cited as a factor. The sedan had no occupants and no driver information was provided. Only the motorbike driver was injured in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4697419 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 1 - A man on an e-scooter smashed into a parked delivery truck on Baisley Boulevard. His face split open. Blood ran. He stayed conscious. The truck did not move. The street was quiet. Dawn broke over Queens.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old man riding an e-scooter struck a parked 2003 Freightliner delivery truck on Baisley Boulevard near Rockaway Boulevard in Queens at 5:57 a.m. The report states the e-scooter operator hit the truck face-first, causing severe facial bleeding. The delivery truck was stationary and unoccupied. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor in the crash. The e-scooter rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the narrative, but this detail appears only after the primary factor of unsafe speed. The truck sustained no damage. The rider remained conscious despite his injuries. No other contributing factors or actions by the truck or its operator are cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4691606 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 24 - A moped and sedan collided on Merrick Boulevard. The moped driver, a 49-year-old man, was partially ejected and suffered a head injury with minor bleeding. The crash involved aggressive driving by the sedan. The driver was left in shock at the scene.

According to the police report, a collision occurred between a moped and a sedan on Merrick Boulevard. The moped driver, a 49-year-old male occupant, was partially ejected and sustained a head injury with minor bleeding. The report lists aggressive driving or road rage as a contributing factor, indicating driver error by the sedan operator. The moped driver was not wearing any safety equipment. No other contributing factors were specified. The crash left the moped driver in shock and injured, highlighting the dangers posed by aggressive driving on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4691984 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 22 - Two SUVs crashed on 140 Avenue. Police chased an unlicensed driver. A 25-year-old passenger was hurt. Unsafe speed fueled the impact. Metal twisted. Flesh bruised. The street bore the cost.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided on 140 Avenue at Springfield Boulevard in Queens. One driver, unlicensed and fleeing police, struck the rear of another SUV. The crash injured a 25-year-old male passenger, who suffered bruises and arm injuries. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor. The unlicensed driver’s police pursuit and loss of control led to the impact. No other contributing factors or passenger errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4690461 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 11 - A station wagon and a sedan collided on 150 Street near 130 Avenue in Queens. Both drivers were making right turns when impact occurred. One driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. The crash involved improper turning and unsafe speed.

According to the police report, a station wagon and a sedan collided while both were making right turns on 150 Street near 130 Avenue in Queens. The driver of the station wagon, a 44-year-old man, was injured with back pain and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the sedan and the left front bumper of the SUV. Both vehicles were traveling east. The injured driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness. No other persons were reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4689455 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 26 - A 38-year-old woman crossing Brewer Boulevard was struck by a northbound sedan. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered a head injury and minor bleeding. She was left in shock at the intersection.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Brewer Boulevard struck a 38-year-old female pedestrian crossing at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained a head injury with minor bleeding and was in shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, indicating the driver did not yield to the pedestrian. The vehicle showed no damage, and the driver was licensed. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk indication. The crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to yield to pedestrians in Queens.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4682957 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 25 - A sedan and SUV slammed together on 143 Avenue. The woman driving the sedan was hurt, her arm bruised. Police blame unsafe speed and running a signal. Metal twisted. No pedestrians involved.

According to the police report, a collision took place on 143 Avenue in Queens between a sedan and an SUV. The 32-year-old female sedan driver suffered contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Police listed unsafe speed and traffic control disregarded as contributing factors. Both vehicles showed front-end damage. No pedestrians or passengers were involved. The crash underscores driver errors: speeding and ignoring traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4682296 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 19 - Two sedans slammed together on 133 Avenue. A 43-year-old woman behind the wheel took a neck injury and shock. Police cite driver inattention and traffic control disregard as causes. Metal twisted. Lives changed.

According to the police report, two sedans and a third vehicle collided on 133 Avenue in Queens. A 43-year-old female driver suffered a neck injury and shock. The crash happened when one vehicle made a left turn, striking the center front ends of two sedans and the side doors of another. The report lists driver inattention, distraction, and disregard for traffic control as contributing factors. The injured driver wore a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. Driver errors—specifically inattention and failure to obey traffic controls—are highlighted as causes of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4672828 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 17 - Two sedans crashed on 144 Avenue in Queens. Both drivers were traveling straight when impact occurred. One driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. No ejections reported. Damage focused on front and rear right panels of vehicles.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on 144 Avenue in Queens. Both drivers were going straight ahead when the crash happened. The point of impact was the center front end of one vehicle and the right rear quarter panel of the other. One driver, a 63-year-old man, was injured with back pain and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. Both drivers were licensed and traveling in their lanes. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify clear driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Safety equipment included lap belts and harnesses. The crash caused damage to the right front bumper of one sedan and the right rear quarter panel of the other.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4671496 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 11 - A moped and an SUV collided on 134 Avenue. The moped driver, a 20-year-old man, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash involved driver inattention and inexperience. The SUV hit the moped’s front end. Both drivers were licensed.

According to the police report, a moped traveling west and an SUV traveling south collided on 134 Avenue. The moped driver, a 20-year-old male occupant, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and driver inexperience as contributing factors. The SUV struck the moped at the left front bumper, while the moped’s center front end was damaged. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The moped driver was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers of distracted and inexperienced driving in vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669716 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19