Honestly, if you've driven through the Grand Central or tried to navigate the BQE lately, you know it feels like a gamble. Queens has this reputation for being the "World’s Borough," but for anyone behind the wheel today, it’s felt more like the world’s biggest bottleneck. Looking at the data for car crashes in the last 24 hours near Queens today, we aren't just seeing numbers; we are seeing the messy reality of winter driving in 2026.
Between January 13 and January 14, 2026, the local scanners and traffic reports have been humming. It hasn't been one single "big" event. Instead, it's a scatterplot of fender benders and intersection collisions that suggest a lot of us are struggling with the basics.
The BQE and Grand Central Hotspots
Earlier this morning, around 6:30 AM, a multi-vehicle pileup on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) near the Kosciuszko Bridge basically turned the morning commute into a parking lot. No major injuries were reported, but the sheer volume of "rubbernecking" caused delays that stretched all the way back into Woodside.
It’s frustrating.
You’re sitting there, 20 minutes late for work, wondering why everything is stopped, only to find out it was a simple side-swipe because someone tried to merge without looking.
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What the NYPD is Seeing
According to preliminary reports from the 108th and 114th Precincts, the common thread in several of today's incidents hasn't been ice or snow—it’s been driver inattention. Just last night, a sedan slammed into a parked delivery van near Northern Boulevard.
Basically, someone was looking at their phone instead of the road.
This follows a trend we’ve seen throughout the start of 2026. While the City has touted a "23 percent decline" in traffic deaths in Queens over the last year—dropping from 74 in 2024 to 57 in 2025—the sheer frequency of non-fatal crashes remains staggeringly high. We are talking about roughly 230 reported crashes across the five boroughs every single day. Queens usually takes a massive bite out of that pie.
Why the Intersection of 102nd and 37th is Still a Nightmare
If you live in Corona, you know the corner of 102nd Street and 37th Avenue is cursed. Earlier this month, a hit-and-run there claimed a life, and the community is still reeling. In the last 24 hours, local residents reported two "near-misses" at that same intersection.
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Why does this keep happening?
It’s a mix of poor lighting and the way the traffic lights are timed. Pedestrians often find themselves halfway across the street when the light flips. When you add a driver in a hurry to get to the Long Island Expressway, it’s a recipe for disaster.
Recent Incidents Recap
- Astoria (Crescent St & 30th Dr): A moped-related incident yesterday evening reminded everyone why the DOT is looking into more protected lanes.
- Hollis (204th St & Jamaica Ave): While the fatal moped crash happened a couple of weeks back, that intersection remains under heavy scrutiny by the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad.
- The Jackie Robinson Parkway: Always a wild card. There was a minor spin-out near the Union Turnpike exit around midnight. Thankfully, the driver walked away, but the car is likely totaled.
The Human Cost of "Minor" Accidents
We often dismiss fender benders as "just part of living in the city." But for the people involved in car crashes in the last 24 hours near Queens today, it's anything but minor. It's an insurance nightmare. It's a trip to Elmhurst Hospital for a neck strain that won't go away. It’s the trauma of seeing a white SUV speed off after clipping your mirror.
New York law is pretty specific about what happens after these crashes. Since we are a "no-fault" state, your own insurance usually covers your medical bills regardless of who caused the wreck. But—and this is a big but—if there is "serious injury," that’s when the lawyers get involved.
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Actionable Steps If You're Driving in Queens This Week
If you have to be on the road, especially with the current traffic advisories for the Grand Street Bridge and Metropolitan Avenue, here is what you actually need to do:
1. Check the NYC DOT Weekly Traffic Advisory
Seriously. They just announced full closures for the Grand Street Bridge over Newtown Creek from 11 PM to 3 AM on January 14th. If you're coming from Brooklyn into Queens late tonight, Metropolitan Avenue is your only real play.
2. Dashcams are Non-Negotiable
Given the number of hit-and-runs we’ve seen in Corona and Glen Oaks lately, having video evidence is the only way to protect yourself. A $100 camera can save you $10,000 in legal headaches.
3. Watch the "Dangerous Curves"
Long Island and Queens house four of the deadliest roads in the state. The Cross Island Parkway, specifically near the Whitestone Expressway connection, is a hotspot for high-speed median collisions. Slow down. That extra five minutes won't kill you, but the median might.
4. Document Everything Immediately
If you are involved in a scrape, don't just "trade numbers" and leave. Take photos of the street signs, the weather conditions, and the other driver's registration. People "forget" things very quickly once they get home.
The reality of car crashes in the last 24 hours near Queens today is a reminder that the "Vision Zero" goal is still a long way off. Stay alert, put the phone in the glove box, and for heaven's sake, watch out for the mopeds on Jamaica Avenue.