Blood in the Crosswalk: No More Excuses, No More Deaths

DOT will expand e-scooter sharing to eastern Queens next year. Bronx rollout saw millions of rides, no deaths. Advocates back the move but demand real safety infrastructure. City officials tout equity and climate benefits. Riders wait for safer streets.

On October 13, 2023, the Department of Transportation announced the expansion of its e-scooter share program to eastern Queens. The program, which launched in the Bronx in 2021, logged nearly 3 million trips with zero fatalities and few serious injuries in its first year. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, "Shared e-scooter service can play an important role in providing sustainable options to connect eastern Queens commuters to transit hubs, commercial corridors, and other neighborhood destinations." Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards both voiced support, highlighting the program's focus on underserved communities and environmental benefits. Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives urged the city to pair the expansion with protected infrastructure, warning that safe streets must come with new mobility. The DOT will continue outreach ahead of the launch, expected in the second half of 2024.

• DOT: Eastern Queens E-Scooter Expansion Will Launch Next Year, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-13

Steel twisted on Belt Parkway. Two sedans collided in the night. A woman, forty-six, slumped behind the wheel. She murmured of paralysis, semiconscious, harnessed in place. The crash left her injured. The road did not forgive. The city kept moving.

Two sedans crashed eastbound on Belt Parkway in Queens. According to the police report, one driver lost consciousness before impact. The collision left a 46-year-old woman semiconscious and complaining of paralysis. She was strapped in with a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as a contributing factor. No other injuries or contributing factors are noted. The crash underscores the danger when a driver loses control. The woman’s condition after the crash remains unknown.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669307 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A sedan and an SUV collided on Belt Parkway. The sedan’s right front quarter hit the SUV’s left side doors. The 66-year-old male sedan driver suffered bruises and arm injuries. Both vehicles were traveling east, going straight ahead. No ejections reported.

According to the police report, a 2011 Honda sedan and a 2024 Chevrolet SUV collided on Belt Parkway. Both vehicles were traveling east, going straight ahead when the sedan’s right front quarter panel struck the SUV’s left side doors. The sedan driver, a 66-year-old man, was injured with contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. The SUV carried four occupants, and the sedan had one. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4666928 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

DOT will let the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program die. The program failed to curb reckless driving. Few drivers faced consequences. Most kept breaking the law. City leaders blame weak enforcement and legal hurdles. Streets remain unsafe for those on foot and bike.

The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP), introduced in 2018 and passed in 2020, will expire after its pilot ends on October 26, 2023. The Department of Transportation (DOT) recommends ending DVAP, citing 'uncertain effects, high cost per participant, and the complexity of its implementation.' City Comptroller Brad Lander, who drafted the bill, criticized DOT for 'slow and limited implementation,' calling the program a failure. Only 885 drivers took the mandated safety course, with little impact on violations. Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers said, 'Holding reckless drivers accountable and keeping our streets safe for all New Yorkers remains a priority.' DOT now supports state-level bills to suspend registrations for repeat red-light violators. No Council legislation will reauthorize or expand DVAP.

• Analysis: ‘Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program’ is a Failure By All Measures, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-22

DOT says the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program failed. Few cars seized. Violations continued. Brooks-Powers promises scrutiny. Lander demands tougher action. Streets remain perilous. The city weighs next steps as reckless drivers keep rolling.

On September 22, 2023, the Department of Transportation issued a report recommending the end of the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP). The program, designed to target repeat red light and speeding offenders, required violators to take a safety course or risk vehicle seizure. The report, reviewed by Council Transportation Chair Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (District 31), found little impact: 'A program meant to crack down on dangerous drivers did not dramatically reduce their behavior.' Only half completed the course, violations persisted, and just 12 vehicles were seized. Brooks-Powers stated, 'Holding reckless drivers accountable and keeping our streets safe for all New Yorkers remains a priority.' Comptroller Brad Lander criticized DOT for abandoning the effort, urging the city to strengthen, not scrap, DVAP. The report also called for state laws to suspend registrations or install speed governors for repeat offenders, but such measures have stalled in Albany.

• Program meant to crack down on NYC's dangerous drivers should end, says transportation department, gothamist.com, Published 2023-09-22

Two sedans crashed head-on on Belt Parkway. Both drivers were traveling west. The female driver, 60, lost consciousness and was injured. The male driver remained conscious. Damage was centered on the front ends. No ejections reported.

According to the police report, two sedans collided head-on on Belt Parkway while both were traveling west. The female driver, age 60, was injured and lost consciousness during the crash. She was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. The male driver was licensed and remained conscious. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The female driver's vehicle sustained front-end damage, while the male driver's vehicle showed no damage. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as a contributing factor but does not specify driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Both drivers were going straight ahead prior to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4666498 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Two SUVs and a sedan collided on Belt Parkway. The lead SUV braked to avoid an object. The following SUV struck it from behind. Both drivers suffered back contusions. Driver distraction caused the crash. Vehicles damaged front and rear centers.

According to the police report, a 2013 Honda SUV traveling east on Belt Parkway braked to avoid an object in the roadway. A 2009 Ford SUV behind it failed to stop and rear-ended the lead vehicle. Both drivers, men aged 53 and 69, sustained back contusions but were conscious and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the lead driver. The collision caused center front and center rear damage to the SUVs. A third vehicle, a 2007 Toyota sedan, was also involved with front bumper damage. No ejections occurred. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction and sudden braking on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4665507 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Council waits. DOT stalls. The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program limps toward expiration. Thousands of reckless drivers dodge consequences. Few take the safety course. Council members call for answers, action, and stronger laws. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain exposed.

On September 18, 2023, the City Council reviewed the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP), which is set to expire on October 26. The Transportation Committee, led by Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, pressed the Department of Transportation (DOT) for a final report on the program’s effectiveness. The bill required drivers with 15 speed-camera or five red-light tickets in a year to take a safety course or risk vehicle seizure. Council Member Shahana Hanif voiced disappointment, noting, 'We need to not only reauthorize this program, but strengthen it.' Despite over 34,000 drivers meeting the threshold in the last year, only about 1,200 took the course in three years. DOT has not explained the reporting delay or provided outcome data. The lack of enforcement leaves dangerous drivers on the road and vulnerable road users at risk.

• Council Needs Info from DOT So it Can Rescue (or Ignore) Fading ‘Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-18

The city missed legal targets for new bus and bike lanes. Officials dodged questions. Council grilled DOT. Advocates tracked the shortfall. Political meddling blocks safer streets. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait. Progress stalls. Danger stays.

On September 13, 2023, the City Council held an oversight hearing on the Department of Transportation’s progress toward mandated bus and bike lane construction. The hearing, led by Transportation Committee chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, pressed DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez for answers. The law requires 150 miles of protected bus lanes and 250 miles of protected bike lanes by 2026. In 2022, the city built only 4.4 miles of bus lanes and 26.3 miles of bike lanes, far short of the legal benchmarks. Councilmember Lincoln Restler criticized political interference, saying, 'We're at a point where it's all politics all the time, and we're failing to execute.' Advocacy groups confirmed the city lags behind. The administration’s refusal to track or disclose progress leaves vulnerable road users exposed. The city’s failure to act keeps streets dangerous.

• City fails to monitor bus and bike lane construction progress after falling short of mandates last year, amny.com, Published 2023-09-13

Councilmember Brooks-Powers slammed DOT for missing legal targets on bus and bike lanes. DOT leaders dodged numbers, citing delays and staff shortages. The hearing exposed deep rifts over accountability. Vulnerable road users wait as city agencies stall and argue.

On September 12, 2023, the City Council Transportation Committee, chaired by Selvena Brooks-Powers, held an oversight hearing on the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) compliance with the Streets Master Plan under Local Law 195. Brooks-Powers demanded specifics: 'DOT has struggled to meet its legal mandate. In 2021, DOT installed just 4.4 miles of bus lane—well below 20-mile requirement.' DOT officials, including Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton and Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, refused to provide current figures, promising data next year. Brooks-Powers called this 'unacceptable.' She stressed, 'The 30 miles of bus lane and 50 miles of bike lanes is not a goal—it’s legal mandate.' The exchange revealed ongoing tension over DOT’s slow rollout and lack of transparency. Staffing shortages and council opposition to projects were cited as obstacles. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Brooks-Powers and DOT Exchange Testiness Over Agency’s Alleged ‘Master Plan’ Shortfalls, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-12

Councilmember Lincoln Restler sounded the alarm. His Brooklyn district saw more traffic injuries than any other in New York City this year. Cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers face daily danger. Restler demands swift action: real protected bike lanes, not empty promises.

On September 11, 2023, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) issued a statement on street safety and protected bike lanes. The data, compiled by Transportation Alternatives, showed his Brooklyn district suffered the most traffic injuries citywide in the first half of 2023: 36 pedestrians, 24 cyclists, and 41 motorists. The matter summary reads, 'New York City is on pace for one of the deadliest years for bike riders in recent history, but it doesn't have to be this way.' Restler called on the Adams administration to 'prioritize and expedite proven solutions that will save lives, especially the swift implementation of a truly protected network of bike lanes.' The statement underscores the urgent need for systemic change as vulnerable road users bear the brunt of failed policy and dangerous streets.

• Nearly 8 people seriously injured on NYC streets daily in 2023, gothamist.com, Published 2023-09-11

A sedan making a left turn struck a southbound bus on South Conduit Avenue in Queens. The sedan’s driver and front passenger suffered bruises and head injuries. Both were conscious and restrained. Driver distraction was cited as a factor.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east attempted a left turn and collided with a southbound bus on South Conduit Avenue in Queens. The sedan’s driver, a 77-year-old man, and a 63-year-old female front passenger were injured. Both occupants were conscious and wearing seat belts. The driver sustained upper arm and shoulder contusions, while the passenger suffered head bruising. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both occupants. The sedan’s left side doors were damaged on impact. The bus, carrying two occupants, showed no damage. The driver of the sedan failed to maintain attention during the maneuver, leading to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661005 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

QueensLink backers gathered at City Hall. They demanded new rail and park space for Queens. Elected officials and advocates pressed the MTA to act. The agency stalled, citing costs. Supporters want transit, green space, and bike paths. The fight continues.

On September 7, 2023, QueensLink supporters rallied at City Hall, pushing for the reactivation of an old rail line between southeast and central Queens. The event, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted the proposal's promise: 'both new train service and park land.' State Sen. James Sanders led the call, declaring, 'Yes, we want a park and yes we want a light rail. We can have both.' Mike Scala, another advocate, stressed public support for a combined approach. The QueensLink faces competition from the QueensWay, a park-only plan with $35 million in city funding. The MTA has not committed, citing high costs and ongoing needs assessment. No formal council bill or committee action is recorded yet. Supporters remain determined to see transit, park space, and bike paths included in future city plans.

• QueensLink Transit Supporters Press Case at City Hall, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-07

A Ford SUV struck the right rear quarter panel of a tractor truck on North Conduit Avenue in Queens. Three occupants in the SUV suffered neck injuries. The crash involved improper lane usage. All occupants remained conscious and were not ejected.

According to the police report, a 2018 Ford SUV traveling south on North Conduit Avenue collided with the right rear quarter panel of a southbound tractor truck. The SUV's left front quarter panel was damaged. Three occupants in the SUV, including the 37-year-old male driver, a 53-year-old female front passenger, and a 30-year-old male rear passenger, sustained neck injuries classified as injury severity 3. All occupants were conscious and not ejected. The contributing factor listed was "Passing or Lane Usage Improper," indicating driver error related to lane management. The tractor truck showed no damage. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4659827 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A tractor truck turned left and struck a sedan going straight in Queens. Both drivers hurt. Distraction and alcohol listed. Metal twisted. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, a tractor truck making a left turn on North Conduit Avenue collided with a sedan traveling straight. The 20-year-old woman driving the sedan suffered whiplash and upper arm injuries. The 63-year-old man driving the truck was partially ejected and sustained neck injuries. Both were conscious. The report lists driver inattention, distraction, and alcohol involvement as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash damaged the front quarter panels of both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658546 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Two sedans crashed on South Conduit Avenue. One overturned. A 22-year-old driver suffered arm abrasions. Unsafe speed caused the wreck. Both cars moved east. Metal twisted. The injured driver stayed conscious.

According to the police report, two sedans collided while traveling east on South Conduit Avenue in Queens. One sedan overturned. A 22-year-old male driver was injured, suffering abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He remained conscious and was not ejected. The police report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. Vehicle damage included an overturned sedan and damage to the left front bumper and left side doors. The injured person was the driver of one of the sedans.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658301 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Two sedans crashed head-on on Belt Parkway. One driver suffered a moderate facial burn but remained conscious. The collision caused severe damage to one vehicle’s front end. Following too closely and unsafe speed led to the impact.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling east on Belt Parkway collided. The driver of one sedan, a 49-year-old man, was injured with a moderate burn to his face but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the crash. One vehicle sustained center front end damage, while the other was demolished. The driver of the damaged vehicle was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash highlights driver errors that led to a violent collision on a major roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656278 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A 67-year-old man driving north on North Conduit Avenue suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. A distracted driver making a right turn struck a parked SUV. The impact damaged the left front bumper of the turning vehicle and the rear of the parked SUV.

According to the police report, a driver making a right turn on North Conduit Avenue collided with a parked SUV. The 67-year-old male driver, restrained by a lap belt and harness, sustained whiplash and injuries to his entire body but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The turning SUV's left front bumper struck the parked SUV's right rear bumper. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655872 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A 23-year-old male rear passenger suffered a fractured back in a Queens crash. The SUV struck head-on while traveling east on South Conduit Avenue. Unsafe speed and driver distraction caused the violent impact. The passenger was conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, a 2021 Jeep SUV traveling east on South Conduit Avenue in Queens crashed with a center front end impact. The vehicle had two occupants. The 23-year-old male rear passenger was injured with a fractured, distorted, and dislocated back. He was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists unsafe speed and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The passenger was not ejected from the vehicle. The crash caused significant vehicle damage to the front center end. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4654123 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Two vehicles collided on South Conduit Avenue in Queens. Four passengers suffered bruises and body injuries. The driver wore a lap belt. Police cited alcohol involvement and driver distraction as factors. No one was ejected from the vehicles.

According to the police report, a sedan and an SUV collided on South Conduit Avenue in Queens. Four occupants, including the driver, were injured with contusions and bruises to various body parts. The driver was wearing a lap belt. The report lists alcohol involvement and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The sedan sustained front-end damage, and the SUV was damaged at the rear. None of the occupants were ejected from their vehicles. The crash injured three passengers and the driver, all suffering injuries to the entire body or lower limbs.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653902 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09