Who Pays for Complacency? Bellerose Bleeds, Leaders Stall

Sep 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

Sep 16 - 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 2025-09-18

Sep 13 - 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 2025-09-18

Sep 11 - 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 2025-09-18

Aug 28 - 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 2025-09-18

Aug 16 - A speeding SUV rear-ended a sedan on Cross Island Parkway. The 25-year-old sedan driver suffered knee and leg abrasions. Unsafe speed caused the crash. Metal twisted. The driver stayed conscious, strapped in.

According to the police report, a crash occurred on Cross Island Parkway at 21:42. A sedan was struck from behind by a speeding SUV. The impact injured the sedan’s 25-year-old male driver, who suffered abrasions to his knee and lower leg. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor, showing the SUV driver failed to control speed. The victim was restrained and remained conscious. No contributing factors related to the victim’s actions were noted. The crash underscores the threat posed by drivers who ignore speed limits.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748414 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 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

Aug 9 - 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 2025-09-18

Aug 3 - A collision between an SUV and a sedan on Little Neck Parkway left five occupants injured. All were conscious and sustained contusions and bruises to various body parts. Both drivers and passengers wore seat belts and were not ejected from their vehicles.

According to the police report, at 18:26 on Little Neck Parkway in Queens, a 2017 SUV traveling east and a 2010 sedan traveling north collided front-to-front. The SUV's right front bumper and the sedan's center front end were points of impact. Five occupants, including both drivers and three passengers aged 16 to 37, suffered injuries classified as contusions and bruises to the back, chest, and limbs. All occupants were conscious and restrained by lap belts and harnesses, with no ejections reported. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified, with no driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding explicitly cited. The injuries resulted from the collision impact between the two vehicles, highlighting the dangers of multi-vehicle crashes even when occupants are properly restrained.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745040 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 29 - 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 2025-09-18

Jun 23 - 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 2025-09-18

Jun 22 - Two SUVs collided on Cross Island Parkway late at night. The driver of the struck vehicle suffered chest injuries and whiplash. Police cited following too closely as the cause. The crash caused center back-end damage to both vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:20 on Cross Island Parkway near Union Turnpike. Two SUVs traveling north collided when one vehicle rear-ended the other. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor. The struck vehicle's driver, a 27-year-old man, was injured with chest trauma and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. Safety equipment including airbags and lap belts were in use. Both vehicles sustained center back-end damage, indicating a rear-end collision. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior. The collision highlights driver error in maintaining safe distance on the roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735355 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 11 - Two sedans collided on Cross Island Parkway at 8 p.m. A front passenger suffered a back injury and abrasion. Police cited driver inattention as the cause. Both vehicles were traveling southbound, striking center to back and front ends respectively.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling southbound on Cross Island Parkway collided at 8 p.m. The point of impact was the center back end of the lead vehicle and the center front end of the striking vehicle. The report identifies driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor to the crash. A 28-year-old female front passenger in the lead vehicle was injured, sustaining a back injury and abrasion. She was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness at the time of the crash. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The collision caused damage to the center back end of the lead vehicle and the center front end of the striking vehicle. No other contributing factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732518 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 7 - 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

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - 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

Jun 7 - 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

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 6 - 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

Jun 3 - 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