Blood on the Asphalt: Springfield Gardens Pays for City Hall’s Delay

A 21-year-old male driver was injured in a Belt Parkway collision. He suffered a head injury and whiplash but remained conscious. The driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness. The crash involved a 2023 Kia sedan traveling eastbound.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old male driver was injured in a crash on Belt Parkway at 4:28 a.m. The driver, restrained by a lap belt and harness, sustained a head injury and complained of whiplash but remained conscious. The vehicle involved was a 2023 Kia sedan traveling eastbound, which sustained damage to the center back end. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No other vehicles or pedestrians were reported injured or involved. The driver was not ejected and was the sole occupant of the sedan. The police report provides no indication of victim behavior contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739662 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

DOT will drop speed limits to 20 mph on 49 streets this September. Only a sliver of city roads get safer. Regional slow zones start in lower Manhattan. Council Member Marte backs the move. Advocates want faster, broader action. Most streets stay risky.

On June 27, 2024, the NYC Department of Transportation announced it will use new powers from Sammy's Law to lower speed limits from 25 to 20 mph on 49 street segments starting September 2024, with 201 more to follow by late 2025. The measure covers just 0.13% of city streets, possibly reaching 0.8% if regional slow zones expand. The first such zone will be south of Canal Street in lower Manhattan. DOT can only lower limits street by street unless the City Council acts. Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers confirmed no citywide bill exists. Council Member Christopher Marte welcomed the slow zone in his district, citing rampant speeding off the bridges. Advocates and officials demand faster, broader action, saying, 'Twenty is plenty wherever you'll find people, and in New York that's everywhere.' DOT says it will prioritize areas near schools and neighborhoods with more non-white and low-income residents. The rollout is slow. Most streets remain unchanged.

• DOT Begins Slow Process of Lowering Speed Limits on a Small Number of Streets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-27

City officials fight to keep jaywalking illegal. They claim it protects pedestrians. Enforcement is rare but hits people of color hardest. Council Member Narcisse wants change. NYPD and DOT resist. Advocates say criminalization fails safety and justice.

On June 26, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on a bill to decriminalize jaywalking. The bill, proposed by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, seeks to end criminal penalties for crossing streets outside crosswalks. The matter summary states officials argue, 'keeping it illegal protects pedestrian safety.' DOT First Deputy Commissioner Margaret Forgione testified against full legalization, supporting only a reduction to a civil offense. NYPD Deputy Chief Thomas Alps defended targeted enforcement in high-crash areas. Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers questioned the law's fairness, noting most tickets go to Black and Brown New Yorkers. Advocates criticized the city's stance, saying criminalization does not improve safety and harms communities of color. The bill remains under debate, with no clear path forward.

• City Wants To Keep ‘Jaywalking’ Illegal For Pedestrians’ Own Good, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-26

A 17-year-old bicyclist suffered abrasions and lower arm injuries after a sedan made a right turn on North Conduit Avenue in Queens. The crash involved driver confusion and glare, resulting in a center front impact and left front bumper damage.

According to the police report, a 17-year-old male bicyclist was injured when a 2016 sedan, traveling south and making a right turn on North Conduit Avenue, collided with him. The bicyclist, traveling north straight ahead, sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The sedan's left front bumper and the bike's center front end were damaged on impact. The report cites "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" and "Glare" as contributing factors, indicating driver confusion and visibility issues played a role. The driver was licensed in New York and operating the vehicle legally. The bicyclist was not ejected and remained conscious after the crash. No helmet or other safety equipment was noted. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver errors during turning maneuvers and environmental conditions like glare.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734033 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A man drove straight on South Conduit Avenue and crashed into two parked SUVs. Metal twisted. His head struck hard. The night air held the smell of alcohol. He wore a belt, but the impact did not spare him.

According to the police report, a male driver with a permit was traveling straight on South Conduit Avenue near 230th Street in Queens when he crashed his SUV into two parked SUVs at 23:40. The report states, 'A man drove straight into two parked SUVs. His front end crumpled. His head bore the hit.' The driver suffered head injuries and crush injuries, despite wearing a lap belt and harness. The police report explicitly lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor in the crash. The parked vehicles were unoccupied, and no actions by other road users contributed to the incident. The focus remains on the systemic danger posed by impaired driving, as documented in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733612 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An SUV driver suffered a back injury and bruising after failing to yield right-of-way on South Conduit Avenue in Queens. Police report cites aggressive driving and failure to yield as key factors in the crash that left the driver conscious but hurt.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:29 on South Conduit Avenue in Queens. The driver, a 44-year-old male occupant of a 2019 Toyota SUV, was injured with a back contusion and bruising. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. The vehicle sustained damage to the right front quarter panel. The crash involved the SUV traveling eastbound, going straight ahead. The report does not indicate any pedestrian or cyclist involvement or victim behavior contributing to the crash. The focus remains on the driver’s failure to yield and aggressive driving as the primary causes of the injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733480 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

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

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

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

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

City Council pushed Albany to expand red light cameras from 150 to 600 intersections. The move falls short of the original goal but marks the largest growth since 1994. Advocates say cameras save lives. Debate continues over equity and coverage.

On June 6, 2024, the City Council passed a resolution urging the state to expand New York City's red light camera program from 150 to 600 intersections. The measure, led by Council Member Lincoln Restler, follows internal debate and negotiation, with some members pushing for 1,325 intersections and others preferring fewer. The final number represents a four-fold increase, covering about 4 percent of city intersections. The Council's resolution, described as a 'home rule' message, aims to prevent the program from sunsetting and to improve safety for all road users. Restler stated, 'This will expand it to about 4 percent of intersections, and it will make our city safer.' Assembly Member Jeff Dinowitz called the expansion a victory, while advocates like Sara Lind of Open Plans noted no deaths at camera-protected intersections since 1994. Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers highlighted the need to ensure cameras improve communities and street safety, raising concerns about fairness in enforcement. The Department of Transportation called the Council's action a critical step.

• Council Urges State to Expand City’s Tiny Red Light Camera Program to 600 Intersections, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-06

Council calls for five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. Streets slow. Danger drops. Pedestrians and cyclists get space. Resolution adopted. Albany must act.

Res 0079-2024, adopted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 6, 2024, urges Albany to let New York City set a five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. The resolution states: "authorize New York City to set a five mile per hour speed limit on streets participating in the Open Streets program." Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led as primary sponsor, joined by Amanda Farías, Crystal Hudson, Julie Won, and Carlina Rivera. The measure passed committee and full council on June 6. The bill aims to cut speed and risk where people walk, bike, and gather. The council's push now waits for state lawmakers and the governor.

• File Res 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-06-06

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

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

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

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 2024-05-28

Two vehicles crashed on South Conduit Avenue in Queens. The sedan driver suffered back injuries and shock. Police cited traffic control disregard as a key factor. Impact damaged the left side doors of the sedan and right front quarter panel of the SUV.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on South Conduit Avenue in Queens involving a 2014 SUV traveling east and a 2010 sedan traveling north. The sedan driver, a 46-year-old man, was injured with back trauma and experienced shock but was not ejected from the vehicle. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating driver error. The sedan sustained damage to its left side doors, while the SUV was damaged on its right front quarter panel. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead prior to impact. The report does not attribute any contributing factors to the victim's behavior, focusing solely on driver errors and systemic danger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4730668 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs collided on 145 Avenue in Queens when one vehicle followed too closely and struck the other from behind. The driver of the struck vehicle, a 19-year-old man, suffered neck injuries and shock. Both vehicles were traveling southbound at the time.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:41 on 145 Avenue in Queens. Two SUVs, both traveling southbound, were involved. The first SUV was stopped in traffic when the second SUV, traveling behind it, failed to maintain a safe distance and rear-ended the first vehicle. The contributing factor cited was "Following Too Closely." The driver of the struck vehicle, a 19-year-old male, was injured with neck pain and shock and was wearing a lap belt and harness. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. The point of impact was the center back end of the first SUV and the center front end of the second SUV. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash highlights driver error in maintaining safe following distances in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727913 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04