Jul 21 - Midnight crash on Rockaway Freeway. Sedan slams SUV. Two men in back seats suffer head injuries and whiplash. Police cite traffic control disregard and unsafe speed. Metal, glass, pain.

According to the police report, a sedan and an SUV collided at 12:01 a.m. on Rockaway Freeway near Cornaga Avenue in Queens. Both vehicles were going straight. The sedan struck the SUV’s left rear bumper. Two male passengers, ages 22 and 31, were injured with head trauma and whiplash. Both remained conscious and were not ejected. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. These driver errors led to the crash and the injuries. No victim actions are listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741968 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 11 - Queens council members slammed the City of Yes plan. They called new housing near transit a threat. They fought against ending parking mandates. Most public testimony backed the reforms. But Queens officials stood firm, defending car-centric streets and single-family homes.

On July 11, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on the City of Yes zoning reforms. The proposal aims to increase housing near transit, allow mixed-use zoning, and eliminate parking mandates. Council Members Joann Ariola and Vicki Paladino led opposition, calling the plan an 'unmitigated disaster' and disputing housing data. Ariola argued, 'That's what they bought in the suburbs for.' Other Queens officials and residents echoed fears for single-family homeowners and suburban 'character.' In contrast, Borough President Donovan Richards's spokesperson and some residents supported the reforms, citing the city's affordability crisis. The majority of public testimony favored the proposal, but entrenched opposition from Queens officials remains strong. No safety analyst assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• ‘Suburban’ Queens Stalwarts Take Hard Line Against Housing — To Rest of City’s Detriment, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-11

Jul 7 - An SUV making a left turn struck a 17-year-old e-scooter driver traveling northeast on Nameoke Street. The collision caused knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited the SUV driver for disregarding traffic control and failing to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, a 17-year-old male e-scooter driver was injured when a 2023 Ford SUV made a left turn and struck him on Nameoke Street near Central Avenue at 22:49. The e-scooter driver was traveling northeast going straight ahead, while the SUV was making a left turn in the same direction. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper. The injured driver suffered contusions and bruises to the knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly states the SUV driver disregarded traffic control and failed to yield the right-of-way, contributing to the crash. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The incident highlights driver errors in yielding and obeying traffic controls as central to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738941 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 5 - A 51-year-old female driver fell asleep at the wheel on Beach Channel Drive, crashing her sedan head-on. She suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was left in shock. Police cited driver inexperience and fatigue as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, a 51-year-old female driver operating a 2022 Jeep sedan on Beach Channel Drive in Queens fell asleep at the wheel around 7:10 AM. The vehicle, traveling west, collided with an object impacting the right front bumper and center front end. The driver, who was licensed in New York, was the sole occupant and sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in a complaint of pain and nausea and emotional shock. The report explicitly lists 'Fell Asleep' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. There is no indication of victim fault or pedestrian involvement. The crash highlights the dangers of driver fatigue and inexperience behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738102 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 3 - A 66-year-old man driving an SUV in Queens lost control and collided with two parked SUVs. The impact overturned his vehicle, trapping him inside and causing severe whole-body injuries. Driver inattention was cited as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, a 66-year-old male driver was traveling westbound in a 2017 Nissan SUV on Central Avenue in Queens when he collided with two parked SUVs. The report identifies "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor. The impact caused the driver's vehicle to overturn, resulting in the driver being trapped inside. The driver suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock at the scene. The overturned SUV was described as demolished, and the parked vehicles sustained damage to their rear bumpers and quarter panels. The driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. No other occupants were involved. The crash occurred at midnight and highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to severe injury and vehicle destruction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737845 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 27 - 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

Jun 26 - 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

Jun 17 - A 7-year-old boy riding a bike was injured when a southbound SUV struck him at Beach 42 Street in Queens. The child suffered head abrasions but remained conscious. The SUV impacted the bike at its center front end, causing injury without ejection.

According to the police report, a 7-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a 2010 Ford SUV traveling southbound near Beach 42 Street, Queens. The SUV's point of impact was its center front end. The child sustained a head abrasion and was conscious after the crash. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment at the time. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the bicyclist but does not specify any driver errors or violations. The SUV driver was alone in the vehicle, and the bike rider was unlicensed. The collision caused damage to the SUV categorized as 'Other.' No ejection occurred. The data highlights a vulnerable young bicyclist injured in a crash involving a motor vehicle, emphasizing the impact and injury severity without assigning fault to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734253 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 13 - A 25-year-old woman suffered a concussion and full-body injuries after a sedan failed to yield while making a left turn. The impact occurred at a Queens intersection where the pedestrian was crossing with the signal. The driver caused serious harm.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Beach Channel Drive in Queens at 8:40 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2019 Toyota sedan, traveling south and making a left turn, struck her with its left front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the driver. The pedestrian suffered a concussion and injuries to her entire body, resulting in shock. The sedan sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally but failed to yield to the pedestrian, causing serious injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734252 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - 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

Jun 7 - 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

Jun 7 - 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

Jun 7 - 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

Jun 7 - 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

Jun 6 - 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

Jun 6 - 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

Jun 6 - Governor Hochul halted congestion pricing. Lawmakers balked at raising payroll taxes. The MTA’s $15 billion plan now hangs by a thread. Projects stall. Federal funds at risk. Riders, walkers, and cyclists face uncertainty. Albany remains split. Streets stay dangerous.

On June 6, 2024, Governor Hochul announced a pause on congestion pricing, sparking confusion in Albany. The state-level response included a rejected proposal to raise the payroll mobility tax (PMT) on NYC businesses to fill the $15 billion gap in the MTA’s capital plan. State Sen. Liz Krueger said, 'Payroll mobility taxes are actually taxes on workers... I do not think we have an appetite for that in the Senate.' Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato, who once voted for congestion pricing, now supports the pause, calling the original vote 'political blackmail.' The MTA’s future projects, including the Second Avenue Subway, are threatened, as federal matching funds require local dollars. Lawmakers remain divided. No clear alternative has emerged. Vulnerable road users are left exposed as transit funding falters.

• Reporter’s Notebook: Where Were You The Day Congestion Pricing Died (Maybe)?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 6 - 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

Jun 3 - A 66-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash after a collision involving an SUV in Queens. The crash occurred as the driver, distracted and inattentive, struck another vehicle head-on. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, the crash happened in Queens near 22-88 Mott Avenue at 14:20. The driver, a 66-year-old male operating a 2014 Jeep SUV traveling west, was injured with neck pain and whiplash. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The vehicle's left front bumper was damaged from a center front end impact. The driver was conscious, wearing a lap belt, and was not ejected. Another vehicle traveling east was involved, described as passing at the time of impact. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior. The crash highlights the danger of driver distraction leading to serious injury even for the vehicle operator.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4730707 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 3 - 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