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

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2023-06-01

Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2023-05-31

Four vehicles collided on Laurelton Parkway. A 36-year-old male driver suffered neck abrasions. The crash involved improper lane usage. Damage hit multiple points on the vehicles. The driver remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, a crash occurred on Laurelton Parkway involving a sedan and a station wagon/SUV among four vehicles. The 36-year-old male driver of one sedan was injured, sustaining neck abrasions but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error in lane management. The vehicles sustained damage to their center back end, left rear bumper, right side doors, and center front end. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4632429 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

NYPD and Jo Anne Simon call for tougher drunk driving laws. Police ramp up DWI patrols for Memorial Day. Officials urge Albany to drop legal BAC to .05%. They cite rising deaths. Advocates say alcohol fuels a third of crashes. Streets stay deadly.

On May 26, 2023, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon (District 52) joined NYPD and city officials to announce increased traffic enforcement for Memorial Day and to advocate for state legislation lowering the legal blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) threshold from .08% to .05%. The announcement, made at One Police Plaza, highlighted the bill sponsored by Simon and Sen. John Liu. The matter summary states, 'Officials called on Albany to pass legislation to lower the BAC threshold to .05%, arguing it would reduce DWI fatalities by about 10% and align with other countries.' Simon declared, 'Lowering the BAC limit from .08% to .05% is desperately needed to adequately tackle this epidemic of traffic violence.' NYPD Chief Kim Royster and DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez echoed the urgency. The bill awaits action in Albany. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but officials cite 43 NYC DWI deaths in 2021 and say 30% of state crashes involve alcohol.

• NYPD to step up enforcement of drink driving over Memorial Day weekend, amny.com, Published 2023-05-26

Council Member Brooks-Powers wants more parking. She says it will clear bus and bike lanes. DOT officials push back. They say streets must serve all. Brooks-Powers opposes bus lanes and safety redesigns, even as deaths rise in her district.

At a May 22, 2023 DOT budget hearing, Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, chair of the Transportation Committee, called for more municipal parking citywide. She argued, "DOT has a responsibility to also ensure that there also is parking, even municipal lots or garages available, as we look to share the street." Brooks-Powers claimed more parking would clear cars from bus and bike lanes. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Executive Deputy Commissioner Paul Ochoa disagreed, stressing the need to share streets among all users. Brooks-Powers has opposed bus lane projects and a safety redesign in her own district, despite high traffic fatality rates. Her stance favors drivers, not vulnerable road users. No safety analyst has assessed the impact, but her opposition to proven safety measures puts pedestrians and cyclists at risk.

• Council Transportation Committee Chair Says City Needs More Parking, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-22

Two sedans collided on Belt Parkway before sunrise. The Audi’s front folded. A young man, half-ejected, neck crushed, sprawled across a seat. The Honda stood untouched. Blood pooled. Silence followed. Metal and pain lingered.

Two sedans collided on Belt Parkway in Queens before dawn. According to the police report, the Audi’s front end crumpled while the Honda showed no damage. A 21-year-old male passenger in the Audi was partially ejected and suffered severe neck crush injuries. He was found sprawled across a seat, conscious but gravely hurt. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The Honda had no reported injuries or damage. No helmet or signal issues were noted. The crash left one young man broken and silent metal in its wake.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4630383 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

Two sedans collided on Brewer Boulevard in Queens at 10:30 p.m. One driver made a left turn and struck the other going straight. The left-turning driver suffered a head contusion but was conscious and restrained by a seatbelt and airbag.

According to the police report, the crash occurred when a sedan making a left turn on Brewer Boulevard collided with another sedan traveling straight southbound. The driver making the left turn failed to yield right-of-way, causing the impact at the right rear quarter panel of the turning vehicle and the right front bumper of the other. The 32-year-old male driver who turned left was injured, sustaining a head contusion. He was conscious, not ejected, and protected by an airbag and lap belt. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4630878 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A sedan struck a 26-year-old man crossing Rockaway Boulevard with the signal. The driver sped through a left turn. The pedestrian suffered neck injuries and bleeding. Shock followed. System failed to protect him.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Rockaway Boulevard at North Conduit Avenue with the signal. The driver of a 2017 BMW sedan made a left turn and struck the pedestrian with the right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered neck injuries, minor bleeding, and was in shock. The police report lists unsafe speed as the contributing factor. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The pedestrian was crossing legally. The vehicle sustained damage to the center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4630150 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A BMW hit a parked UPS truck on North Conduit Avenue. A 14-year-old girl in the front seat was thrown out and killed. The driver, just 16, was hurt. The crash left blood and silence on the Queens street.

A BMW sedan crashed into a parked UPS truck on North Conduit Avenue near 160th Street in Queens. According to the police report, 'A BMW slammed into a parked UPS truck. A 14-year-old girl, unbelted in the front seat, was thrown from the car. Her head struck pavement. She died there, crushed and still.' The 16-year-old driver was injured. The police report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. No errors are attributed to the UPS truck. The young passenger was not wearing a seatbelt, but this is noted only after the driver error. The crash ended a young life and left pain behind, the result of a single violent impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4629782 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers signed onto the Sammy’s Law resolution. The bill would let New York City set speed limits below 25 mph. Brooks-Powers stressed pairing lower speeds with street redesigns. The resolution now has 23 co-sponsors, still short of a majority.

On May 17, 2023, Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers joined the resolution for Sammy’s Law, a measure urging Albany to let New York City set speed limits under 25 mph. The resolution, led by Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez, is a required step before state passage. Brooks-Powers had withheld support until the bill included street redesigns for safety, especially in low-income communities of color. She said, 'Lowering speed limits works best when paired with traffic calming and street safety infrastructure.' The resolution now has 23 co-sponsors, three short of a majority. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams has not signed on. Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal sponsors the bill in Albany. Sammy’s Law is named for a child killed by a reckless driver. Last year, the Council failed to pass a home rule message under Speaker Adams.

• Council Transportation Chair Signs Onto ‘Sammy’s Law’ Resolution, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-17

Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-05-16

A motorcycle struck the center back end of an SUV on North Conduit Avenue in Queens. The 56-year-old motorcyclist suffered bruises over his entire body. Police cited improper lane usage as a factor. Both vehicles traveled westbound.

According to the police report, a motorcycle collided with the center back end of a station wagon/SUV on North Conduit Avenue in Queens. The motorcyclist, a 56-year-old man, was injured with contusions and bruises over his entire body but was conscious and not ejected. The crash occurred while both vehicles were traveling straight ahead westbound. The report lists "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a contributing factor, indicating driver error on the motorcyclist's part. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. The SUV driver was licensed and driving a 2021 vehicle registered in Connecticut. The impact point was the motorcycle's center back end and the SUV's right front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4628693 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

Three people suffered whiplash in a Queens crash on South Conduit Avenue. A sedan struck the rear of an SUV, which then hit another sedan. All occupants were conscious and restrained. Following too closely caused the collision.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on South Conduit Avenue struck the rear of a Ford SUV, which then collided with a Nissan sedan traveling west. Three occupants in the SUV—a 63-year-old female driver, a 65-year-old female front passenger, and a 69-year-old female rear passenger—were injured with whiplash and bodily injuries affecting their entire bodies. All were conscious and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor. The impact points were the center front end of the sedan and the center back end of the SUV. No occupants were ejected. The crash highlights the dangers of tailgating and rear-end collisions in Queens traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4627944 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A sedan, moving too fast, struck an object on South Conduit Avenue. The driver, alone, suffered a concussion and full-body injuries. The car was demolished. Unsafe speed and bad turning led to the crash.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old man driving a sedan on South Conduit Avenue in Queens crashed while merging northeast. The sedan hit an object with its right front bumper and was demolished. The driver, the only occupant, suffered a concussion and injuries to his entire body. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The driver was incoherent at the scene and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4626429 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A 26-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries in a Belt Parkway crash. The SUV, parked, was struck by a sedan traveling south. The impact hit the SUV's right rear bumper and the sedan's left front bumper. The driver was conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Belt Parkway involving a 2021 SUV and a 2019 sedan. The SUV was parked when the sedan traveling south struck its right rear bumper with the sedan's left front bumper. The sedan driver, a 26-year-old male occupant, sustained neck injuries described as whiplash but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Contributing factors listed include "Other Vehicular" and "Passenger Distraction." The report notes no ejection and no unspecified additional driver errors. The crash resulted in injury to the sedan driver, with damage focused on the point of impact on both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4626268 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

MTA will extend $5 City Ticket fares to Far Rockaway LIRR riders this summer. Elected officials say the move closes a transit gap. Riders in Rockaway face long commutes. The pilot brings cheaper, faster access. Some ticket purchase restrictions remain.

On May 5, 2023, the MTA announced it will expand the $5 City Ticket fare to Far Rockaway LIRR riders. This policy, supported by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, State Senator James Sanders, Jr., Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson, and City Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, addresses a long-standing exclusion in the city's transit network. The City Ticket allows travel within city limits on LIRR or Metro-North for $5 during off-peak and weekend hours. Richards called the move a win for 'transit equity.' Anderson highlighted that Rockaway has the city's longest commutes, and this change will help. Brooks-Powers urged further expansion and easier transfers. The pilot, part of upcoming fare changes, still restricts where tickets can be bought, a flaw officials promise to address. No formal safety analysis was provided.

• MTA Will Extend $5 City Ticket To Far Rockaway LIRR Riders This Summer, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-05