Children Bleed While Politicians Wait: Demand 20 MPH Now

May 31 - 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

May 22 - Council members fight congestion pricing for 5,200 drivers. Most New Yorkers ride transit. Opponents claim harm to businesses and residents. Advocates say the plan funds transit, cuts traffic, and spares the vulnerable. The city’s future hangs in the balance.

The congestion pricing debate centers on a policy to toll drivers entering Manhattan’s core. The bill faces opposition from Council Members David Weprin, Joann Ariola, and Ari Kagan, who argue it will hurt small businesses and outer-borough residents. On May 22, 2023, Ari Kagan said, 'Congestion Pricing will hurt countless New Yorkers, small businesses, residents of so-called outer-boroughs & will create huge lines of parked cars right outside of Manhattan.' Yet, the MTA’s assessment shows only 5,200 city drivers commute by car from areas far from fast transit—just 1.2% of that population. Advocates like Felicia Park-Rogers counter, 'this policy has the potential to be utterly transformational for our city.' The plan includes exemptions for disabled and low-income drivers. Most New Yorkers stand to gain safer, better-funded transit and less congestion.

• Straw Men: The Fight Over Congestion Pricing Comes Down to Just 5,200 NYC Drivers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-22

May 18 - A 37-year-old woman driving south on Cross Bay Boulevard rear-ended a stopped SUV. Alcohol and following too closely contributed. The driver was injured with abrasions and arm injuries. Multiple SUVs were involved in the chain reaction crash in Queens.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old female driver, unlicensed and under the influence of alcohol, was traveling south on Cross Bay Boulevard when she rear-ended a stopped SUV. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The collision caused injuries to the driver, including abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Several SUVs were involved, with damage focused on the center front and back ends. The crash occurred in Queens, zip code 11693, involving multiple vehicles stopped in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4630431 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 16 - 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

May 12 - Two SUVs crashed in Queens. Both drivers injured. One suffered whiplash, the other a concussion. Police cited traffic control disregard and unsafe speed. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, two station wagons/SUVs collided on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens. Both drivers were injured: one suffered whiplash and the other a concussion. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. One driver was conscious, the other incoherent. Both were not ejected. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash damaged the front ends of both moving vehicles and the rear quarter panel of a parked SUV. The report does not mention helmet use or victim error.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4628095 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 5 - 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

Apr 15 - A 27-year-old woman driving a sedan struck a parked bus on Beach Channel Drive. She suffered back injuries and whiplash. The crash happened at 2:36 a.m. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as causes. The driver was unlicensed.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old female driver operating a 2020 Toyota sedan collided with a parked bus on Beach Channel Drive in Queens. The driver was injured, sustaining back pain and whiplash, and remained conscious. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor to the crash. The sedan's right front bumper struck the bus's right front bumper, causing damage to the center front ends of both vehicles. The driver was unlicensed at the time of the crash. No other persons were reported injured. The bus was stationary when struck. The report does not indicate any victim fault or additional contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4621409 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 11 - SUV cut across lanes on Cross Bay Boulevard. Metal slammed metal. Driver’s arm broke. No one else hurt. Unsafe lane change left glass and pain behind.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old man driving a 2015 SUV was injured when his vehicle struck a sedan while changing lanes on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens. The driver suffered fractures and dislocations to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as a contributing factor. The SUV, heading south, hit the right front quarter panel of a sedan traveling in the same direction. The driver was restrained and remained conscious. No pedestrians or other occupants were involved. The crash damaged the SUV’s left rear quarter panel and the sedan’s front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4620057 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 30 - A man walked with traffic on Cross Bay Boulevard. A northbound Honda SUV struck him with its right front bumper. He died there, head shattered, alone by the water. The driver stayed. The night swallowed the sound.

A man was killed while walking along North Channel Bridge on Cross Bay Boulevard. According to the police report, 'A northbound Honda SUV struck him with its right front bumper. He died there on the road, head shattered, alone by the water, unnamed.' The pedestrian was walking with traffic when the collision happened. The driver, operating a 2018 Honda SUV, was traveling straight ahead. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report. There was no mention of helmet use or signaling. The crash left one man dead, the road unchanged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4616786 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 21 - Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Feb 18 - Two sedans collided on East 6 Road in Queens. One driver changed lanes improperly, striking the other vehicle’s right rear quarter. A 53-year-old front passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash. Both drivers were licensed men traveling northbound.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on East 6 Road near Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens. The driver of a 2019 Nissan was changing lanes when he struck the right rear quarter panel of a 2015 Mazda traveling straight ahead. The collision injured a 53-year-old female front passenger in the Mazda, causing back injuries and whiplash. The report lists "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a contributing factor, indicating the lane change was unsafe. Both drivers were licensed men from New York. The injured passenger was harnessed and remained conscious. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4606876 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Feb 3 - A 27-year-old man driving a sedan suffered neck injuries in a Queens crash. The SUV struck the sedan’s right rear quarter panel. Both drivers disregarded traffic control. The sedan driver was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Rockaway Freeway in Queens involving a 2019 SUV and a 2001 sedan. The SUV, traveling north, struck the right rear quarter panel of the sedan, which was traveling east. The sedan driver, a 27-year-old male, sustained neck injuries described as whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were cited for disregarding traffic control, a contributing factor to the crash. The sedan driver held a permit license, while the SUV driver was licensed. The impact caused damage to the front center of the SUV and the right rear quarter of the sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4602794 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 24 - Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24

Jan 22 - Twenty-two construction workers died last year in New York City. Lawmakers passed Carlos' Law, raising fines for negligent companies to $500,000. State Sen. Jessica Ramos calls it vital as migrants fill non-union jobs. Advocates warn: enforcement and worker awareness still lag.

Carlos' Law, passed in early 2023, raises the maximum penalty for construction companies convicted of criminal negligence leading to worker injury or death from $10,000 to $500,000. The law, named after Carlos Moncayo, aims to curb a surge in construction worker deaths—22 in the past year, the highest in five years. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, representing District 13, called the law 'critically needed' as thousands of migrants enter non-union construction jobs lacking basic safety protections. Ramos and other lawmakers supported the bill, but advocates and union officials warn that without strong enforcement and education for new arrivals, deaths and injuries will persist. The law passed after years of advocacy, but the minimum fine was removed, and nonprofits struggle to train the influx of new workers. As Ramos said, 'Behind every worker is a family expecting them to return home.'

• Construction worker deaths reach 5-year high as lawmakers seek to hold companies responsible, gothamist.com, Published 2023-01-22

Jan 19 - A 70-year-old man driving an SUV on Beach Channel Drive in Queens suffered neck injuries after losing control due to illness. The vehicle struck an object front-center. The driver was semiconscious but not ejected, wearing a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, a 70-year-old male driver in a 2020 Chevrolet SUV traveling east on Beach Channel Drive in Queens was injured when he lost control due to illness. The vehicle impacted an object with its center front end, causing neck injuries to the driver, who was semiconscious but remained inside the vehicle. The driver was properly licensed and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report lists illness as the primary contributing factor, with no other driver errors noted. No pedestrians or other vehicles were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4599589 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 13 - Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.

Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.

• File A 1280, Open States, Published 2023-01-13

Dec 29 - An 82-year-old man was hit while crossing Beach 113 Street in a marked crosswalk. The SUV, making a left turn, struck him on the right front quarter panel. The pedestrian suffered a head contusion but remained conscious.

According to the police report, an 82-year-old male pedestrian was injured at an intersection on Beach 113 Street while crossing in a marked crosswalk. The driver, a licensed female operating a 2021 Jeep SUV traveling west and making a left turn, failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive, leading to the collision. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. No vehicle damage was noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4594067 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 28 - Council members push the MTA to study reviving the Rockaway Beach rail line. The move aims to connect southeast Queens, cut car trips, and open new routes. The bill signals urgency but lacks binding power. Debate continues over transit versus parkland.

On November 28, 2022, Council Members Joann Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced a City Council resolution urging the MTA to conduct an environmental impact study for the QueensLink rail reactivation. The bill, non-binding and currently under committee review, seeks to revive 3.5 miles of the former Rockaway Beach Branch, extending the M train from Rego Park to the Rockaways. The matter title calls for 'a deeper study of the QueensLink proposal to reactivate an old rail line.' Ariola and Brooks-Powers, both representing southeastern Queens, argue the project would benefit communities with poor subway access and reduce car dependency. Ariola stated, 'I think it’s necessary and I think that it would really benefit the communities.' Brooks-Powers emphasized the resolution as a priority for the Transportation Committee. The push comes as Mayor Adams advances the QueensWay park plan, raising concerns among transit advocates. The MTA says a new study is unnecessary, but supporters insist a thorough review is needed before converting the corridor to parkland.

• Queens Pols Revive Push for MTA to Study QueensLink, As QueensWay Linear Park Surges, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-28

Nov 24 - A 23-year-old male driver lost control on Cross Bay Boulevard. The sedan overturned at high speed. Two occupants were inside. The driver suffered injuries and shock. Police cited unsafe speed as the cause. The driver wore a lap belt and was not ejected.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male driver was operating a 2018 sedan northbound on Cross Bay Boulevard when the vehicle overturned. The driver and one other occupant were inside. The driver sustained injuries and was in shock. The report lists unsafe speed as the contributing factor to the crash. The driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected from the vehicle. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The point of impact was the vehicle overturning, indicating loss of control at high speed. The driver held a valid New York license. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4585295 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19