Bellerose Bleeds While Leaders Stall

Senate bill S 1675 would force carmakers to face the facts. Every vehicle gets a pedestrian safety score. The public sees it. No more hiding danger behind steel and glass.

Senate bill S 1675, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 13, 2025, it aims to 'create a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles which shall be posted on the department of motor vehicles' website.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The bill demands transparency. It would show the public which cars endanger walkers and which spare them. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the intent is clear: expose the risk, protect the vulnerable.

• File S 1675, Open States, Published 2025-01-13

A speeding sedan crashed on Grand Central Parkway. Both young men inside suffered bruises. Aggressive driving and unsafe speed drove the impact. The driver was unlicensed. Metal and flesh broke in the dark.

According to the police report, a 2013 Infiniti sedan crashed at 3:50 AM on Grand Central Parkway. The unlicensed 21-year-old male driver lost control at unsafe speed, striking an object with the car's center front end. Both the driver and front passenger, also 21, were injured. The driver suffered a head contusion; the passenger sustained bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. Both were conscious after the crash. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors. The passenger wore a lap belt and harness. Driver errors led to the crash and injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783596 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A southbound sedan struck another vehicle on 243 Street, Queens. The driver was partially ejected and both occupants suffered chest injuries and abrasions. The crash caused significant front-end damage to both vehicles, highlighting a violent impact.

According to the police report, a 2020 Honda sedan traveling south on 243 Street in Queens collided with another vehicle. The driver, a 23-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained chest injuries and abrasions but remained conscious. The front-seat passenger, a 26-year-old female, also suffered chest injuries and abrasions. Both occupants were restrained by harnesses. The sedan's left front bumper and the other vehicle's right front bumper bore the points of impact, with damage extending to the right front bumper and center front end respectively. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The crash occurred at 4:30 AM. The focus remains on the violent collision and resulting injuries to the vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782908 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council bill targets speed. Shared e-bikes and scooters must have speedometers. New riders get capped at 10 mph. Law aims to slow the city’s fastest wheels. Committee review underway.

Int 1145-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced December 19, 2024, the bill would require all shared electric bikes and scooters to have working speedometers. For new riders, electric assist cuts out at 10 mph. The matter title reads: 'requiring that electric bicycles and electric scooters that are part of share systems have speedometers and limit electric speed assistance to new riders.' Council Members Linda Lee (primary sponsor), Gale A. Brewer, and Chris Banks back the bill. Brewer referred it to committee. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill awaits further action.

• File Int 1145-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-19

Two SUVs and a sedan crashed on 239 Street. Five passengers, ages 9 to 46, suffered head, knee, and body injuries. Unsafe speed and reckless driving fueled the violent impact. All victims remained conscious.

According to the police report, two SUVs and a sedan collided on 239 Street in Queens at 3 p.m. All vehicles were making left turns. Five occupants, including children and adults, were injured with head, knee, and full-body trauma. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors, pointing to reckless or improper vehicle operation. No contributing factors are attributed to the victims. All injured parties were conscious and not ejected. The crash highlights the danger when multiple vehicles attempt left turns at speed, resulting in serious injuries to vulnerable passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779537 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs crashed on Winchester Boulevard in Queens when one driver made a U-turn and the other traveled straight. The impact struck the left side doors of one vehicle and the center front end of the other. A 58-year-old driver suffered head abrasions.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:40 AM on Winchester Boulevard near Union Turnpike in Queens. A 58-year-old male driver, licensed in New York and wearing a lap belt and harness, was injured with head abrasions. The collision involved two SUVs: one making a U-turn traveling northeast, the other going straight south. The point of impact was the center front end of the turning vehicle and the left side doors of the other. The report cites driver errors including 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. The injured driver was conscious and not ejected. No pedestrian or cyclist involvement was reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772547 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided on Grand Central Parkway in the afternoon. The crash involved unsafe lane changing. A 42-year-old male driver suffered a contusion to his elbow and lower arm. Both vehicles sustained damage to their side and front panels.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:12 on Grand Central Parkway involving two sedans traveling westbound. The collision resulted from unsafe lane changing by one of the drivers, as cited in the contributing factors. The Tesla sedan was struck on its right rear quarter panel, while the Jeep sedan sustained damage to its left front bumper. A 42-year-old male driver was injured with a contusion to his elbow and lower arm. He was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. The report highlights driver error—specifically unsafe lane changing—as the cause of the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771471 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Tesla sedan traveling north struck the right rear quarter panel of a Toyota sedan making a left turn on Hillside Avenue in Queens. A 13-year-old passenger in the Toyota suffered a head contusion but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, at 8:33 p.m. on Hillside Avenue in Queens, a 2023 Tesla sedan traveling straight ahead north collided with a 2007 Toyota sedan making a left turn. The Tesla impacted the Toyota’s right rear quarter panel, causing damage to both vehicles. The Toyota carried four occupants, including a 13-year-old male passenger seated in the right rear, who sustained a head contusion. He was conscious and secured with a lap belt and harness. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors, but the collision occurred during the Toyota’s left turn maneuver, indicating a failure to avoid impact. The Tesla driver was licensed and traveling straight, while the Toyota driver was also licensed. The crash highlights the dangers posed by turning vehicles and the vulnerability of passengers inside.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768020 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV and sedan slammed front ends on 250 Street. Sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck bruises. Both drivers licensed. No pedestrians or cyclists. Metal and flesh met at the intersection.

According to the police report, a 2019 sedan and a 2021 SUV collided at 17:10 on 250 Street in Queens. Both vehicles were going straight—sedan northbound, SUV westbound—when their front ends struck. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck contusions and bruises. She was conscious and wore a lap belt and harness. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the sedan driver. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash shows the risk when vehicle paths cross, even with both drivers proceeding straight.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768011 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV turned left on Commonwealth. Sedan hit hard. Young driver crushed, unconscious, whole body hurt. Police blame driver distraction. Metal twisted. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male driving an SUV was making a left turn on Commonwealth Boulevard in Queens when a southbound sedan struck the SUV's right side. The impact left the SUV driver unconscious with injuries to his entire body. Police cited 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' for both drivers as the main contributing factor. The SUV's right rear quarter panel and the sedan's front end were heavily damaged. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The injured driver wore a lap belt and harness. No victim actions were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765804 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Four vehicles collided on Cross Island Parkway at midday. A 23-year-old male driver suffered back contusions. The crash involved side impacts and lane changes. All drivers were licensed. Injuries were serious but no ejections occurred.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:40 on Cross Island Parkway involving four vehicles traveling south. One sedan was changing lanes when it impacted another sedan on the left side doors, causing a chain reaction with two SUVs also involved. The 23-year-old male driver of one sedan was injured with back contusions and was conscious, wearing a lap belt and harness. The report notes the point of impact as left and right side doors and rear bumpers, indicating side collisions. All drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead except for one vehicle changing lanes. The contributing factors are unspecified, but the lane change by one sedan likely played a role. No pedestrian or cyclist victims were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756379 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A motorcycle rider suffered knee and lower leg injuries after an SUV merged unsafely on Cross Island Parkway. The collision struck the motorcycle’s left front bumper, causing abrasions but no ejection. The driver was helmeted and conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Cross Island Parkway involving a 2012 Kawasaki motorcycle and a 2018 Toyota SUV. The SUV driver was merging when the collision happened, striking the motorcycle’s left front bumper with the SUV’s right rear bumper. The motorcycle driver, a 22-year-old male, was wearing a helmet and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report cites 'Other Vehicular' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors, highlighting the SUV driver’s failure to merge safely. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The motorcycle was traveling straight north, while the SUV was merging northbound, indicating the SUV driver’s error caused the impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755487 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A station wagon sport utility vehicle struck a sedan from behind on Grand Central Parkway. The front passenger in the SUV, a 69-year-old man, suffered a shoulder injury and bruising. The crash was caused by following too closely, according to police.

At 12:01 PM on Grand Central Parkway, a collision occurred involving a 2018 SUV and a 2012 sedan, both traveling eastbound. According to the police report, the SUV struck the sedan from behind, impacting the sedan's center front end and damaging the SUV's left rear bumper. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor to the crash, indicating driver error by the SUV operator. The SUV carried two occupants; the front passenger, a 69-year-old male, was injured with contusions and a shoulder-upper arm injury but was not ejected and was conscious. He was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4754962 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Chevrolet SUV traveling west struck a stopped Toyota sedan from behind on Hillside Avenue in Queens. Both drivers, women aged 55 and 71, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The impact damaged the center front of the SUV and rear of the sedan.

According to the police report, at 11:21 p.m. on Hillside Avenue in Queens, a 2014 Chevrolet SUV traveling west struck a 2004 Toyota sedan that was stopped in traffic. The SUV's point of impact was the center front end, while the sedan sustained damage to its center back end. Both vehicles had two occupants. The sedan driver, a 55-year-old woman, and the front passenger, a 71-year-old woman, were both injured with neck injuries and complaints of whiplash. Both occupants were conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses. The report lists no specific contributing factors but indicates the sedan was stopped and the SUV was going straight ahead, consistent with a rear-end collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751399 - 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

A 24-year-old woman driving west on Grand Central Parkway lost control on slippery pavement. The sedan struck an object front-center, causing back injuries. She remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness during the crash.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old female driver was traveling westbound on Grand Central Parkway at 4:40 a.m. when the pavement was slippery. The contributing factor listed is 'Pavement Slippery,' indicating loss of vehicle control. The sedan impacted with its center front end, sustaining damage in the same area. The driver was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. She suffered back contusions and bruises, classified as injury severity 3, and remained conscious throughout. The report does not cite any pedestrian or cyclist involvement or victim behaviors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by road conditions and vehicle control failures on high-speed parkways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746558 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans smashed head-on on 93 Avenue. Metal twisted. One driver suffered internal injuries to her abdomen and pelvis. She stayed conscious. Both cars took heavy front-end damage. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, two sedans collided head-on at 8:42 AM on 93 Avenue in Queens. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead when their left front bumpers struck. The driver of the New York-registered sedan, a woman, suffered internal injuries to her abdomen and pelvis and remained conscious after the crash. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not cite any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Both vehicles sustained significant front-end damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744082 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 17-year-old unlicensed moped driver suffered abrasions and arm injuries after crashing on Union Turnpike. The police report cites unsafe speed and improper turning during a police pursuit. No ejection or vehicle damage was recorded.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Union Turnpike in Queens at 11:43 PM. The sole occupant, a 17-year-old male driver of a 2023 Zhejiang Jaijue moped, was injured with abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The driver was unlicensed and involved in a police pursuit prior to the crash. Despite the impact, no vehicle damage or ejection was noted. The injuries were classified as moderate (severity 3), and the driver remained conscious. The report highlights driver errors—speeding and improper turning—as the cause, with no mention of victim fault or safety equipment use.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735952 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04