Cambria Heights Bleeds While City Hall Sleeps

Senator Comrie pushes a yellow alert for deadly hit-and-runs. Police would blast car details fast. The goal: catch fleeing drivers. The dead deserve justice. Streets remember.

Senate bill S 5588, sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie, was introduced on March 8, 2023. The bill sits at the sponsorship stage. It aims to 'establish a yellow alert system for law enforcement to publicize vehicle information in instances of hit-and-run accidents in which a person has been killed.' Comrie leads the charge. The alert would spread vehicle details after fatal hit-and-runs, aiming to help police track down drivers who flee. No safety analyst note is available. The bill targets the aftermath, not prevention. Vulnerable road users remain at risk until drivers are held to account.

• File S 5588, Open States, Published 2023-03-08

State pushes a $1.2-billion tax break for Penn Station towers. Critics slam the deal as a handout to Vornado. Hundreds of homes and businesses face displacement. Promised funding for transit falls apart. The public gets risk. Developers get power.

On March 6, 2023, the debate over Gov. Hochul’s Penn Station redevelopment plan intensified. The $1.2-billion tax break, meant to spur ten new towers and fund a $20-billion transit overhaul, is under fire. The plan, pitched as a lifeline for Penn Station, now faces doubts about its ability to deliver. State officials admit the project will not fully fund the station. Developer Steve Roth, head of Vornado, is not required to build, putting revenue in doubt. Senator Leroy Comrie called for a reset, saying, “the GPP that’s been presented is not longer working.” Critics, including attorney Chuck Weinstock and policy analyst Rachael Fauss, argue the deal benefits Vornado, not the public. Hundreds of businesses and homes could be lost. The project’s value and feasibility remain in question. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• Gov. Hochul’s Penn Station Tax Giveaway Makes Less Sense Than Ever, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-06

A sedan traveling east struck a parked SUV on Linden Boulevard in Queens. The sedan driver, unlicensed and speeding, suffered knee and lower leg fractures. The SUV was damaged at its center back end. The crash left one injured and shaken.

According to the police report, a sedan driven by an unlicensed male driver traveling east on Linden Boulevard collided with a parked SUV. The point of impact was the center front end of the sedan and the center back end of the SUV. The sedan driver, age 30, was injured with fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists Unsafe Speed as a contributing factor. The SUV had no occupants at the time. The sedan driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. The report notes the driver’s unlicensed status and unsafe speed as key errors leading to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4610374 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

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 2023-02-28

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

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

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

Two vehicles collided head-on on Cross Island Parkway. The SUV and sedan both struck with right front bumpers. The SUV driver, a 45-year-old man, suffered back injuries and shock. Unsafe speed was cited as a contributing factor by police.

According to the police report, a 2017 Ford SUV and a 2013 Honda sedan collided on Cross Island Parkway. Both vehicles were traveling south and impacted at their right front quarter panels. The SUV driver, a 45-year-old man, was injured with back pain and shock but was not ejected. He was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The collision caused damage to the right front quarter panel of the SUV and the right side doors of the sedan. The report does not specify injuries to other occupants or drivers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4604714 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Senator Comrie backs bill to cut motorcycle congestion fees in half. Central business district. Motorcycles pay less. Cars still crowd streets. Danger for walkers and riders remains.

Senate bill S 4102, sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie (District 14), was introduced on February 3, 2023. The bill sits at the sponsorship stage. It authorizes the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority to impose congestion pricing for motorcycles in the central business district at half the rate of other vehicles. The bill summary states: 'Authorizes the Triborough bridge and tunnel authority to impose tolls and fees for congestion pricing for motorcycles in the central business district in the amount of half of the charges for the tolls and fees of other vehicles.' No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users. The measure offers a break for motorcycles, but the threat to pedestrians and cyclists in crowded streets persists.

• File S 4102, Open States, Published 2023-02-03

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

Senate passed S 840. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. No mention of direct safety gains for people on foot or bike.

Senate bill S 840, sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy and co-sponsored by Robert Rolison, passed committee on January 9, 2023. The bill, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects; relates to the state share of municipal projects where the municipality funds a complete street design,' sets funding formulas for state and municipal projects. Seventeen senators voted yes. The bill does not address direct safety impacts for vulnerable road users. No analyst note on safety.

• File S 840, Open States, Published 2023-01-09

Senate passed S 840. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. No mention of direct safety gains for people on foot or bike.

Senate bill S 840, sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy and co-sponsored by Robert Rolison, passed committee on January 9, 2023. The bill, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects; relates to the state share of municipal projects where the municipality funds a complete street design,' sets funding formulas for state and municipal projects. Seventeen senators voted yes. The bill does not address direct safety impacts for vulnerable road users. No analyst note on safety.

• File S 840, Open States, Published 2023-01-09

Senate bill S 343 seeks a clear, public safety score for cars. The DMV would post these ratings. Lawmakers push for sunlight on danger. Pedestrians face risk. The system aims to expose it.

Senate bill S 343 was proposed on January 4, 2023. It sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Creates a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles,' would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to post these ratings online. Primary sponsor 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 measure targets transparency. It puts the danger of cars in plain sight. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 343, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

Two SUVs collided head-on on Cross Island Parkway. Both drivers were male and licensed. One driver suffered a fractured hip and upper leg. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. The injured driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided head-on on Cross Island Parkway. Both drivers were male, licensed in New York, and traveling straight ahead in opposite directions. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. One driver, age 30, was injured with a fractured and dislocated hip and upper leg. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the crash but does not specify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4592948 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 24-year-old woman driving a sedan on Cross Island Parkway suffered a head contusion. The vehicle struck an object with its left front bumper. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Distraction caused the crash.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old female driver was injured in a crash on Cross Island Parkway. She sustained a head contusion but was not ejected and remained conscious. The vehicle, a 2011 Chevrolet sedan traveling north, impacted with its left front bumper. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor twice, indicating the driver failed to maintain focus. The driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. Damage was noted on the right front bumper, suggesting a secondary impact or scrape. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction even on straight roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4592222 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 34-year-old male occupant riding outside a 2022 SUV suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. The SUV struck a parked lift boom truck on 115 Avenue. Driver inattention caused the collision. The injured was harnessed and not ejected.

According to the police report, a 2022 SUV traveling east on 115 Avenue collided with a parked lift boom truck. The SUV's right front bumper struck the lift boom's left rear quarter panel. The SUV driver, a licensed female, was inattentive and distracted, contributing to the crash. A 34-year-old male occupant riding outside the SUV was injured with whiplash and full-body trauma but was secured by a harness and not ejected. The lift boom driver was parked at the time. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as the primary contributing factors. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4590941 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 51-year-old woman driving a 2013 Nissan SUV was injured in a rear-end collision on Cross Island Parkway. She suffered head injuries and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Both vehicles were traveling south.

According to the police report, a 51-year-old female driver of a 2013 Nissan SUV was injured in a collision on Cross Island Parkway. The SUV was struck on its left rear bumper by another vehicle, a 2012 BMW, which impacted with its right front bumper. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead southbound at the time of the crash. The injured driver suffered head injuries and whiplash but was conscious and secured by a lap belt and harness. The report lists the contributing factors as unspecified, with no clear driver errors noted. The driver was not ejected and was the sole occupant of her vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4585541 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 21-year-old woman driving an SUV struck a parked bus on Linden Boulevard. She suffered head injuries and whiplash. The bus was stationary. The crash caused front-end damage to the SUV and rear damage to the bus. Driver distraction was a factor.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old female driver of a 2015 Chevrolet SUV collided with a parked 2015 Nova bus on Linden Boulevard. The SUV was traveling east and struck the bus at its center back end. The driver sustained head injuries and whiplash, classified as injury severity level 3. The bus was parked and had one occupant. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The SUV had front-end damage; the bus had damage to its center back end. The driver was licensed in New York. No ejection occurred.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4585905 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.

On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.

• City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-15

Councilmember Rita Joseph blasted DOT for years-long delays on speed hump installations in Flatbush. Twelve sites requested, one approved, none built. Meanwhile, crashes injure cyclists and pedestrians daily. Joseph calls the delay unacceptable. Streets stay dangerous. DOT offers no timeline.

On November 11, 2022, Councilmember Rita Joseph (District 40) issued a public letter to the Department of Transportation, demanding answers for the slow pace of speed hump installations. The matter, titled "#StuckAtDOT: It Takes Years (and Years) to Get a Speed Hump in this City," details Joseph’s frustration: 'In response to a speed hump request, my office was informed by the DOT that...studies are finalized after two years.' Joseph listed twelve locations needing speed humps; only one was approved, none installed. Eight were denied, several remain under review. Her district saw 1,173 crashes this year, injuring 87 cyclists and 141 pedestrians. Joseph, who lost students to traffic violence, calls the delay 'unacceptable.' DOT says it is reviewing her letter. Advocates demand faster action, saying, 'It should never take two years to implement these straight-forward safety measures.'

• #StuckAtDOT: It Takes Years (and Years) to Get a Speed Hump in this City, streetsblog.org, Published 2022-11-11