Forest Park Bleeds While City Hall Sleeps

Jan 30 - 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 2024-01-30

Nov 18 - Two sedans struck a man and woman on Woodhaven Boulevard. Blood pooled on the asphalt. Head trauma. Crush injuries. Both died where they fell. Southbound traffic did not stop. The street swallowed them whole.

Two sedans, both heading south on Woodhaven Boulevard, struck a 71-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man. Both pedestrians were walking outside the crosswalk. According to the police report, 'Head trauma. Crush injuries. Blood on the asphalt. Both died where they fell. Southbound traffic did not stop in time.' The report lists no specific driver errors, only 'Unspecified' contributing factors for both victims. The impact was severe: both pedestrians suffered fatal head and internal injuries. The drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4680207 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 1 - Senate bill S 7732 would force e-bikes and scooters to carry plates, insurance, and licenses. Riders face new hurdles. Streets stay hostile. No relief for those on foot or bike.

Senate bill S 7732, sponsored by Simcha Felder and co-sponsored by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., sits in the sponsorship stage as of November 1, 2023. The bill 'relates to the regulation of bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters; requires license plates... liability insurance... operator's safety manual and licensing.' The bill targets e-bike and scooter riders with new requirements. No committee action or votes yet. No evidence these measures protect pedestrians or cyclists. Systemic street danger remains unaddressed.

• File S 7732, Open States, Published 2023-11-01

Sep 30 - Two sedans crashed on Jackie Robinson Parkway. A front-seat passenger took the hit. Full-body trauma. Shock. Pain. Driver errors: improper lane use, unsafe speed. Metal twisted. Lives changed.

According to the police report, two sedans collided westbound on Jackie Robinson Parkway. The BMW changed lanes improperly and struck the Chrysler, which was going straight. The front passenger in the Chrysler, a 27-year-old woman, suffered full-body trauma and shock. She was restrained by a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report lists "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" and "Unsafe Speed" as contributing factors. The point of impact was the right side doors of the BMW and the right front bumper of the Chrysler. The injured passenger complained of pain and nausea. Both drivers were licensed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4666792 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 18 - Assembly bill A 7979 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets triggers a speed limiter. Lawmakers move to curb repeat danger. No more unchecked speeding. Streets demand it.

Assembly bill A 7979, now in sponsorship, sits before the New York State Assembly. Introduced August 18, 2023, it 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during an eighteen month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Assemblymember Emily Gallagher leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, Tony Simone, Jo Anne Simon, and others. The bill aims to force chronic speeders to slow down. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear: rein in repeat offenders, protect those outside the car.

• File A 7979, Open States, Published 2023-08-18

Aug 15 - Two sedans collided head-to-tail on Jackie Robinson Parkway. The trailing driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered head injuries and whiplash. Unsafe speed and tailgating led to the crash.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling west on Jackie Robinson Parkway collided when the trailing sedan struck the rear of the lead vehicle. The 31-year-old male driver of the rear sedan was injured, sustaining head trauma and whiplash. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. Both vehicles were going straight ahead at the time of impact. The point of impact was the center front end of the trailing sedan and the center back end of the lead sedan. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655484 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 22 - Council members push to end jaywalking penalties. Supporters cite biased enforcement. Critics warn of danger for pedestrians. The bill faces debate as traffic deaths fall but injuries persist. The city weighs safety against fairness in street crossings.

On July 22, 2023, Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse introduced a bill to legalize jaywalking in New York City. The measure, supported by Council Members Tiffany Caban and Shahana Hanif, aims to 'greenlight pedestrians to freely cross streets outside the crosswalk or without obeying traffic signals.' The bill responds to claims of biased enforcement against Black and Latino New Yorkers. Council Majority Leader Joseph Borelli and Councilwoman Joann Ariola oppose the bill, warning it could endanger pedestrians. The bill has not yet advanced to committee or received a hearing. The NYPD and Mayor's office are reviewing the legislation. The debate highlights the tension between enforcement fairness and the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users. No formal safety analysis has been provided.

• Far-left NYC Council Dems push to legalize jaywalking, nypost.com, Published 2023-07-22

Jul 6 - Four vehicles collided in a chain reaction on Jackie Robinson Parkway. Unsafe lane changing and following too closely caused the crash. A 43-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries and shock. Multiple vehicles sustained rear-end damage.

According to the police report, a chain collision occurred on Jackie Robinson Parkway involving four vehicles traveling eastbound. The crash was caused by unsafe lane changing and repeated following too closely. A 43-year-old male driver was injured, suffering neck pain and shock. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. The injured driver was not ejected and complained of pain or nausea. Several vehicles sustained damage to their center back ends, indicating a rear-end collision sequence. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The report does not indicate any helmet use or signaling issues.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4643333 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 4 - A sedan struck an e-bike from behind on Forest Park Drive. The e-bike rider, a 25-year-old man, suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The crash happened while both vehicles traveled southbound. The rider remained conscious and was not ejected.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Forest Park Drive rear-ended an e-bike also heading south. The e-bike driver, a 25-year-old man, sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to maintain a safe distance. Both vehicles were going straight ahead at the time of collision. The sedan impacted the e-bike's left front quarter panel, while the sedan sustained damage to its right rear quarter panel. The e-bike rider wore a helmet, but no other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4642616 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 28 - A sedan made a left turn and struck a bicyclist traveling west on Myrtle Avenue. The cyclist suffered a shoulder and upper arm injury, bruised but conscious. The driver disregarded traffic control. The bike was damaged on the right side doors.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling southeast made a left turn on Myrtle Avenue and collided with a bicyclist moving west. The bicyclist, a 41-year-old man wearing a helmet, was injured with contusions and upper arm shoulder injuries but remained conscious. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver failed to obey traffic signals or signs. The cyclist was slowing or stopping at the time of impact. The sedan showed no damage, while the bike sustained damage to the right side doors. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4641456 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 18 - A new storm-resistant street opened on Beach 108th in Rockaway. Porous pavement, wider sidewalks, and bike lanes now line the block. The project promises less flooding and safer passage for people on foot and bike. Connections to the ferry and boardwalk improved.

On June 18, 2023, Council Member Joann Ariola (District 32) marked the completion of a major infrastructure project in Rockaway. The work, running from Beach Channel Drive to Shore Front Parkway, added porous pavement, new bike lanes, and wider pedestrian walkways. The city says the 11,000 square feet of new surface can absorb nearly 1.3 million gallons of stormwater each year. Ariola said, 'At long last, we will finally have a safe, steady, and efficient flow of traffic here, and the area is now more resilient than ever before.' The project, part of a $16.6 million investment begun in March 2021, also repaired or replaced 1,100 feet of storm sewer and added new left turn lanes. The changes give cyclists and pedestrians an easier, safer route to the Rockaway ferry terminal and boardwalk.

• New storm-resistant street with ‘porous pavement’ opens in Rockaway, just in time for hurricane season, gothamist.com, Published 2023-06-18

Jun 16 - A sedan changing lanes struck a motorcycle going straight on Jackie Robinson Parkway. The motorcyclist, a 22-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg bruises. The crash caused damage to both vehicles’ front and side panels. The rider wore a helmet.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Jackie Robinson Parkway was changing lanes when it collided with a motorcycle also traveling east. The motorcycle driver, a 22-year-old male occupant, was injured with contusions to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver’s lane change caused the crash. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet and was not ejected from the vehicle. The sedan’s left front quarter panel struck the motorcycle’s left front bumper, damaging the sedan’s right side doors and the motorcycle’s right front bumper. The motorcyclist remained conscious after the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4638480 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 8 - 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

Jun 6 - 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

Jun 6 - 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

Jun 1 - Five cars slammed together on Jackie Robinson Parkway. Drivers followed too close. A 34-year-old man in the back seat took a hit to the neck. Metal crumpled. The chain of impacts left one injured, many shaken.

According to the police report, five vehicles collided in a chain-reaction crash on Jackie Robinson Parkway in Queens. All cars traveled eastbound. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the main contributing factor for each driver. A 34-year-old male passenger seated in the left rear was injured, suffering a neck contusion. He was conscious, not ejected, and secured with a lap belt and harness. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. Vehicle damage centered on front and back ends, showing the force of the rear-end impacts.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4633900 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 1 - 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

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 30 - Senate backs S 6802. Albany gets school speed cameras. One no vote. Cameras aim to slow drivers near kids. Program ends 2028. Lawmakers move to shield children from reckless speed.

Senate bill S 6802, introduced by Neil D. Breslin, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in Albany. The bill passed committee on May 30, 2023, with only one senator, Andrew J. Lanza, voting no. The official summary reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2028.' Breslin led sponsorship. Seventeen senators voted yes. The program targets driver speed near schools, aiming to protect children and other vulnerable road users. The law sunsets at the end of 2028.

• File S 6802, Open States, Published 2023-05-30

May 30 - NYC leaders went to Albany. They demanded lawmakers pass Sammy’s Law. The bill lets the city set its own speed limits. Brad Hoylman-Sigal led the charge. The law is named for a child killed by a car. The fight is urgent. Lives hang in the balance.

On May 30, 2023, State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and other NYC officials lobbied the state legislature to pass key transportation and housing bills before the session ends June 9. The centerpiece is 'Sammy’s Law,' which would let New York City set its own speed limits, potentially lowering them to 20 mph. Hoylman-Sigal, the bill’s sponsor, said, 'Senators in Massapequa shouldn’t set the speed limit for Manhattan—or the reverse.' The law is named for Sammy Cohen Eckstein, a 12-year-old killed by a car in Brooklyn. The bill had stalled before, but this year the required home rule resolution was submitted. Mayor Adams’ administration also pushed for affordable housing reforms. The push for Sammy’s Law is a fight to give NYC control over its streets and protect vulnerable road users from deadly speeding.

• NYC officials press Albany to pass critical bills on housing, city speed limit and others before session ends, nypost.com, Published 2023-05-30