No More Excuses: Slow Down or More Will Die

May 31 - 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 2023-05-31

May 16 - Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-05-16

May 5 - MTA will extend $5 City Ticket fares to Far Rockaway LIRR riders this summer. Elected officials say the move closes a transit gap. Riders in Rockaway face long commutes. The pilot brings cheaper, faster access. Some ticket purchase restrictions remain.

On May 5, 2023, the MTA announced it will expand the $5 City Ticket fare to Far Rockaway LIRR riders. This policy, supported by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, State Senator James Sanders, Jr., Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson, and City Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, addresses a long-standing exclusion in the city's transit network. The City Ticket allows travel within city limits on LIRR or Metro-North for $5 during off-peak and weekend hours. Richards called the move a win for 'transit equity.' Anderson highlighted that Rockaway has the city's longest commutes, and this change will help. Brooks-Powers urged further expansion and easier transfers. The pilot, part of upcoming fare changes, still restricts where tickets can be bought, a flaw officials promise to address. No formal safety analysis was provided.

• MTA Will Extend $5 City Ticket To Far Rockaway LIRR Riders This Summer, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-05

Mar 21 - Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Mar 17 - A female driver in an SUV slammed into the back of a sedan making a left turn on Baisley Boulevard in Queens. The impact caused neck injuries and whiplash. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Baisley Boulevard in Queens when an SUV traveling east rear-ended a sedan that was making a left turn. The female driver of the SUV was cited for following too closely, which contributed to the collision. The sedan was also struck from behind by another SUV. The driver of the SUV that initiated the crash suffered neck injuries and whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the primary driver error. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4614718 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 7 - A van turned left on Farmers Boulevard. A motorcycle slammed into its rear. The rider flew from his seat. His helmet could not save him. His head struck hard. He died there, alone, beneath the streetlight’s shadow.

A deadly crash unfolded at Farmers Boulevard and 135th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, a van made a left turn. A motorcycle, traveling straight, struck the van’s right rear quarter panel. The 38-year-old motorcyclist was ejected from his seat. He wore a helmet, but suffered fatal head injuries and died at the scene. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The impact crushed the rider’s head. No driver errors were specified in the data. The van driver was not reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4610956 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Feb 3 - A van passing too closely struck a sedan traveling south on 172 Street. The sedan’s female driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The van hit the sedan’s left front bumper with its right side doors. Both vehicles damaged.

According to the police report, a van traveling south on 172 Street attempted to pass a sedan going straight ahead in the same direction. The van passed too closely, colliding with the sedan’s left front bumper using its right side doors. The sedan’s 23-year-old female driver sustained neck injuries and complained of whiplash. The report lists "Passing Too Closely" as a contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed and the sedan carried three occupants. The injured driver was conscious and not ejected. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4602923 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 24 - Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24

Jan 22 - Twenty-two construction workers died last year in New York City. Lawmakers passed Carlos' Law, raising fines for negligent companies to $500,000. State Sen. Jessica Ramos calls it vital as migrants fill non-union jobs. Advocates warn: enforcement and worker awareness still lag.

Carlos' Law, passed in early 2023, raises the maximum penalty for construction companies convicted of criminal negligence leading to worker injury or death from $10,000 to $500,000. The law, named after Carlos Moncayo, aims to curb a surge in construction worker deaths—22 in the past year, the highest in five years. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, representing District 13, called the law 'critically needed' as thousands of migrants enter non-union construction jobs lacking basic safety protections. Ramos and other lawmakers supported the bill, but advocates and union officials warn that without strong enforcement and education for new arrivals, deaths and injuries will persist. The law passed after years of advocacy, but the minimum fine was removed, and nonprofits struggle to train the influx of new workers. As Ramos said, 'Behind every worker is a family expecting them to return home.'

• Construction worker deaths reach 5-year high as lawmakers seek to hold companies responsible, gothamist.com, Published 2023-01-22

Jan 13 - A driver sped through a left turn on Brewer Boulevard. The car struck a 61-year-old man crossing the street. The impact broke and dislocated his leg. The man stayed conscious. Unsafe speed and bad turning led to the crash.

According to the police report, a 61-year-old pedestrian was crossing Brewer Boulevard near 144 Road in Queens when a southbound vehicle made a left turn and struck him. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The pedestrian suffered a fracture and dislocation to his knee and lower leg, with injury severity rated at level 3. The point of impact was the vehicle's center front end. The man remained conscious after the crash. No other vehicles or people were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4597562 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 3 - A sedan making a left turn struck a motorcycle going straight on Brewer Boulevard in Queens. The motorcyclist was ejected and suffered fractures and dislocations to his lower leg and foot. The sedan driver was unlicensed and driving aggressively.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male motorcyclist was injured when an unlicensed female driver in a sedan made a left turn and collided with his motorcycle traveling straight on Brewer Boulevard in Queens. The motorcyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists aggressive driving and road rage as contributing factors. The sedan's right front bumper struck the motorcycle's center front end. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. The sedan driver was unlicensed and failed to yield while making a left turn, causing the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4692535 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 20 - A sedan and SUV slammed together on Farmers Boulevard. Both drivers ignored traffic controls. Two men in the sedan suffered limb injuries and shock. Metal twisted. Pain lingered.

According to the police report, a sedan heading southwest and an SUV traveling east collided on Farmers Boulevard. Both drivers disregarded traffic controls, leading to the crash. The impact struck the sedan's left side doors and the SUV's front bumper. Two men in the sedan, the 64-year-old driver and 54-year-old front passenger, were injured. The driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries; the passenger injured his elbow and lower arm. Both men were in shock and reported pain or nausea. Both wore lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The sedan's left front quarter panel and the SUV's right front bumper were damaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4592000 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 2 - A southbound SUV made a left turn and struck a northbound moped on Farmers Boulevard. The moped driver, unlicensed, was injured with bruises and leg wounds. The SUV driver suffered knee and foot injuries. Driver distraction was a key factor.

According to the police report, a southbound SUV making a left turn collided with a northbound moped on Farmers Boulevard. The moped driver, who was unlicensed, was injured with contusions and lower leg wounds. The SUV driver, wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained knee, lower leg, and foot injuries. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash. The SUV driver was licensed and conscious after the crash. The point of impact was the left side doors of the moped and the left front bumper of the SUV. No helmet or signaling factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4586610 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 13 - A bicyclist was partially ejected and injured on Brewer Boulevard in Queens. The sedan struck the bike’s left front bumper while changing lanes. Unsafe speed was a factor. The rider suffered elbow and arm injuries with minor bleeding.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Brewer Boulevard in Queens involving a sedan and a bicycle traveling north. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the bike’s left front bumper. The bicyclist, a 31-year-old man, was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, with minor bleeding. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor for the bicyclist. The sedan’s point of impact was the center front end, indicating a direct collision. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The bicyclist was the sole occupant of the bike and was not wearing safety equipment. The driver errors identified include unsafe speed and the sedan’s lane change maneuver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4587801 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 20 - Two sedans collided on Merrick Boulevard. One car backed into another. Two front-seat passengers hurt—one with a bruised head, one with scraped legs. Police cited aggressive driving and road rage. Both drivers survived.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed on Merrick Boulevard in Queens. One sedan was backing up when it struck another sedan traveling straight. Two front-seat passengers were injured: a 32-year-old man suffered abrasions to his lower leg and foot, and a 36-year-old man sustained a head contusion. Both remained conscious and were not ejected. The report lists aggressive driving and road rage as contributing factors. One driver was unlicensed and backing at the time of the crash. The injured passengers were not at fault. Safety equipment varied: one passenger wore a lap belt and harness, the other had none.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4574674 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 26 - A motorcycle struck the right rear quarter panel of an SUV making a left turn on Merrick Boulevard. The motorcyclist, partially ejected and unlicensed, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The SUV driver was licensed and alone in the vehicle.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling west collided with a northbound SUV making a left turn on Merrick Boulevard in Queens. The motorcyclist, a 55-year-old man, was partially ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The SUV driver, a licensed female, was the sole occupant and had damage to the vehicle's right rear quarter panel. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as a contributing factor. The motorcyclist was unlicensed and not wearing safety equipment. The collision impact was at the motorcycle's front center and the SUV's right rear quarter panel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4558663 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 24 - A 32-year-old male bicyclist was struck on Merrick Boulevard by a southbound SUV. The impact hit the bike's left side and the SUV's front center. The cyclist suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation. The driver failed to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a 2013 Toyota SUV traveling south on Merrick Boulevard. The SUV struck the left side of the bike with its center front end. The bicyclist sustained a fractured and dislocated upper arm and remained conscious after the crash. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as a contributing factor. The cyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The SUV driver was licensed and driving straight ahead. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to yield to bicyclists sharing the road.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4557999 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 23 - Two vehicles crashed on Queens’ 161 Street. The SUV driver, a 29-year-old woman, suffered head injuries and whiplash. A 12-year-old front-seat passenger sustained bruises and leg injuries. Unsafe speed and traffic control disregard caused the collision.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Queens’ 161 Street involving a 2014 SUV and a 2011 sedan. The SUV driver, a 29-year-old woman, was injured with head trauma and whiplash. A 12-year-old female passenger in the front seat suffered contusions and leg injuries. The report lists the driver’s errors as unsafe speed and disregarding traffic control. The sedan driver was unlicensed. Both occupants in the SUV were restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The impact was to the left front bumper of the SUV and the center front end of the sedan. No ejections occurred. The crash caused center front end damage to the SUV and right front bumper damage to the sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4558647 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 20 - Two sedans crashed head-on on Baisley Boulevard in Queens. Both drivers were women, each alone in her vehicle. One driver suffered full-body injuries and was semiconscious but not ejected. Driver distraction caused the collision. Damage hit front ends.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Baisley Boulevard in Queens. Both drivers were female and licensed in New York. The crash occurred as both vehicles traveled straight ahead, impacting front ends. One driver, age 57, was injured with full-body trauma and was semiconscious but remained inside her vehicle, secured by a lap belt and harness. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor. No other factors or victim errors were noted. Vehicle damage was concentrated on the front bumpers and center front ends. The collision caused serious injury to one occupant, highlighting the dangers of driver distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4557780 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19