No Deaths Yet—But Laurelton Bleeds Every Day

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

Senate bill S 131 demands complete street design for state-funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. Guidance will go public. Streets could change. Pedestrians and cyclists stand to gain.

Senate bill S 131 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force safer street planning. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by co-sponsors Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Leroy Comrie, Jeremy Cooney, Nathalia Fernandez, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Robert Jackson, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, Christopher Ryan, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish guidance on street design. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 131, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

A bus and SUV crashed head-on on Merrick Boulevard. The SUV driver was hurt. Police cited improper lane use and blocked views. Metal twisted. One driver injured. Streets left scarred.

According to the police report, a bus and an SUV collided at 9:29 AM on Merrick Boulevard near 220th Street. The SUV driver, a 42-year-old woman, suffered back injuries and whiplash. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as the main contributing factors. The bus struck the SUV's left side doors, while the SUV hit the bus's left front quarter panel. Both vehicles were moving straight ahead before impact. Police highlight driver errors in lane usage and limited visibility. No pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785025 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council moves to test bold pavement markings at crash sites. Five spots per borough. Focus: places where drivers have killed or maimed. Report to follow. Streets marked for danger.

Int 1154-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced December 19, 2024. The bill orders a pilot for high visibility pavement markings—at least five locations per borough. The city must target streets with high injury or fatality counts from bad driving. The matter title reads: 'establishing a high visibility pavement marking pilot program.' Council Member Yusef Salaam leads, joined by Menin, De La Rosa, Brooks-Powers, Cabán, Brannan, and Hanif. The law demands a report on results and challenges. The aim: mark danger, force drivers to see, and push the city to act where blood has already been spilled.

• File Int 1154-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-19

MTA unveiled its final Queens bus overhaul. Seventeen new routes, more frequent service, but cuts on 29 lines. Rush routes aim to speed riders to trains. Public feedback starts January. MTA Board votes in winter. Rollout set for summer 2025.

The MTA announced its final Queens bus network redesign on December 18, 2024. The plan, now entering its last public feedback phase, will be reviewed by the MTA Board in early winter 2025 and implemented by late summer. The proposal includes over $30 million in new funding, 17 new local routes, and increased frequency for 17 lines, but also service reductions on 29 routes. The main highlight is the introduction of 'rush' routes to connect riders to rail faster. MTA Chair Janno Lieber said, 'Every change to a route has an impact on the schedule... and we did it.' Queens Borough President Donovan Richards voiced support, stating, 'I'm ready. We're ready.' The process began in 2019 and was shaped by extensive community input. No formal safety analysis was provided for vulnerable road users.

• The Queens Bus Redesign Is Finished. Probably, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-18

A 16-year-old boy was struck by a sedan while crossing an intersection without signal. The impact hit the pedestrian’s knee and lower leg, causing bruising. The driver was traveling northeast, continuing straight ahead at the time of collision.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling northeast struck a 16-year-old male pedestrian at an intersection near 134-56 231 Street around 8:00 PM. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk indication when the vehicle's center front end made contact. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the impact. The report lists no specific driver contributing factors such as failure to yield or speeding, but notes the pedestrian was crossing without signal. The sedan showed no vehicle damage, and the driver was alone, traveling straight ahead. This collision highlights the dangers pedestrians face at intersections even without explicit driver error cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781904 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs collided on 219 Street in Queens. The 25-year-old driver suffered head injuries and whiplash. A 73-year-old passenger also sustained whiplash. The crash was caused by driver inattention and inexperience, damaging both vehicles’ left sides.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:30 on 219 Street in Queens. Two station wagons/SUVs collided, with impact on the left rear bumper of one vehicle and the left front bumper of the other. The 25-year-old female driver, who was licensed and traveling north, was injured with head trauma and whiplash. She was wearing a lap belt and conscious after the crash. The front passenger, a 73-year-old female, also suffered whiplash and was conscious. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors for the driver of the northbound SUV. Both vehicles sustained damage to their left sides. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction and inexperience behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777527 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

A 71-year-old male driver suffered a neck injury after his sedan was struck on the left front quarter panel. The driver remained conscious and was restrained by a harness. The crash occurred while traveling westbound on 130 Avenue.

According to the police report, a 71-year-old male driver was injured in a crash involving his 2012 Kia sedan traveling westbound on 130 Avenue. The vehicle sustained damage to the left front quarter panel, indicating the point of impact. The driver, who was harnessed and not ejected, complained of whiplash and sustained a neck injury classified as severity level 3. The report lists the driver's contributing factors as unspecified, and no other contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. The driver remained conscious throughout the incident. No information about other vehicles or pedestrians involved was provided, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783533 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An SUV with defective headlights struck a 27-year-old male e-bike rider on Merrick Blvd in Queens. The collision caused abrasions and lower leg injuries. The SUV was parked; the e-bike was traveling west when the crash occurred at 8:25 p.m.

According to the police report, the crash happened at 8:25 p.m. on Merrick Blvd in Queens. A 27-year-old male bicyclist riding an e-bike was injured, suffering abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'Headlights Defective' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors. The SUV involved was parked and struck the e-bike on its left side doors. The e-bike was traveling west, going straight ahead, and the point of impact was the center front end of the bike. The bicyclist was not ejected and was conscious after the collision. The police report highlights defective headlights on the SUV and the vehicle passing too closely as key causes, focusing on driver responsibility without attributing fault to the injured bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774811 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

DOT finished the Queens Boulevard redesign. Protected bike lanes, pedestrian islands, and new signals now line seven miles. Fatalities dropped 68 percent. Injuries fell 35 percent. Julie Won helped fund the next phase. Concrete upgrades will harden safety. Streets remember every life.

On November 12, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced the completion of the final phase of the Queens Boulevard Redesign. The project, part of Vision Zero, was celebrated in Council District 26 with Council Member Julie Won present and helping secure $1.5 million for future upgrades. The redesign stretches from Queens Plaza to Hillside Avenue, creating the city’s longest protected bike lane. The DOT reports a 68% drop in fatalities and a 35% reduction in injuries since 2015. The redesign adds parking-protected bike lanes, pedestrian islands, and improved signals. The next phase, funded in part by Won, will replace painted lanes with concrete, add raised medians, and increase accessibility. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez called it a milestone, saying, 'Queens Boulevard is not the Boulevard of Death anymore, but the Boulevard of Life.'

• A ‘Boulevard of Life’ transformation: DOT announces completion of Queens Boulevard Redesign, amny.com, Published 2024-11-12

A speeding SUV struck a parked sedan on 131-02 233 Street in Queens. The SUV driver, a 53-year-old man, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited unsafe speed and driver distraction as causes. The parked vehicle was unoccupied.

According to the police report, at 10:00 AM on 131-02 233 Street in Queens, a 2014 Honda SUV traveling north rear-ended a parked 2007 Ford sedan. The SUV's point of impact was the center front end, while the sedan was hit at its center back end. The SUV driver, a 53-year-old male occupant, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The parked sedan was unoccupied at the time of impact. The driver held a valid New York license. This crash highlights the danger posed by speeding and distracted driving even when other vehicles are stationary.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765696 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Three vehicles collided in a chain reaction on Merrick Boulevard in Queens. The lead driver suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and following too closely as key factors. All drivers were licensed and traveling eastbound.

According to the police report, a chain-reaction collision occurred on Merrick Boulevard in Queens at 8:55 a.m. involving three eastbound vehicles: two sedans and one SUV. The driver of the lead vehicle, a 51-year-old male occupant, sustained head injuries and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies driver inattention and following too closely as the primary contributing factors to the crash. The lead vehicle was impacted at the center front end, while the subsequent vehicles struck the center back ends of the cars ahead. All drivers were licensed in New York and traveling straight ahead. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762091 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two westbound cars collided on Merrick Boulevard. Both drivers were hurt. Police blamed driver inattention. One man suffered neck injuries. Metal twisted. The street stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, two vehicles—a 2010 Ford SUV and a 2005 Dodge sedan—collided while heading west on Merrick Boulevard in Queens. The SUV’s left front bumper struck the sedan’s right front bumper, damaging both vehicles. The 53-year-old male SUV driver was injured, suffering neck trauma but remained conscious. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both drivers. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The incident highlights the ongoing risk posed by driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760776 - 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

City Council pulled the jaywalking bill before a vote. Advocates warned new language could blame pedestrians for crashes. The bill would have let people cross mid-block, but now demands they yield to drivers. Racial bias in enforcement remains unaddressed.

On September 12, 2024, the City Council delayed action on a bill to legalize jaywalking. The measure, sponsored by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, passed the Transportation Committee but was withdrawn before a full Council vote. The bill’s summary stated it would 'legalize crossing outside crosswalks and require a pedestrian education campaign.' Advocates objected to last-minute changes that would force pedestrians to yield to drivers, fearing it could criminalize those struck by cars. Narcisse highlighted 'systemic bias in how these laws are enforced.' Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers said, 'There is little evidence to support the claim that criminal or civil offenses for jaywalking change pedestrian behavior or increase pedestrian safety,' and noted racial disparities in ticketing. The NYPD and DOT opposed the bill, citing safety concerns. The bill’s fate remains uncertain, with advocates demanding stronger protections for pedestrians.

• Council Balks on Legalizing ‘Jaywalking’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-12

A deadly seven-way tangle in the Rockaways will get $25 million in upgrades. Protected bike lanes. Bigger pedestrian islands. Raised crosswalks. City officials promise change after 112 crashes since 2019. Construction starts 2027. No more waiting for blood on the asphalt.

The planned overhaul targets the chaotic intersection of Beach 35th Street, Seagirt Boulevard, Rockaway Freeway, and Beach Channel Drive. Announced September 11, 2024, the $24.8 million project includes protected bike lanes, expanded sidewalks, and safer crossings. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards pledged $500,000, saying, "We're not waiting until someone loses their life to take action." Since 2019, 112 crashes have injured 54 people here—five of them pedestrians. The intersection currently favors cars, forcing pedestrians on long detours. The redesign will dead-end Beach 35th Street, add raised bike lanes, and expand pedestrian space. Final design is due next year, with construction set for 2027 and completion by 2029. The project includes a $2.6 million federal grant and is tied to Edgemere sewer upgrades.

• Chaotic Rockaways Intersection to Get Bike and Pedestrian Upgrades in 2027, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-11

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 2024-09-10