Tread Carefully: High Rate of Pedestrian Fatalities in New York
Even as motor vehicle accidents decline, pedestrian accidents are on the rise in many areas of the country. Nationwide, New York ranked fourth in senior pedestrian fatalities.
August 05, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- When people think of car accidents, they generally imagine multiple vehicles colliding. Those most vulnerable to motor vehicle accidents, however, are pedestrians. Pedestrians are at the greatest risk for injury in car accidents because, unlike motor vehicle occupants, pedestrians are completely unprotected by any physical barriers or restraints.
Nationally, although motor vehicle deaths have declined by 27 percent in the last decade, pedestrian fatalities have only decreased at half that rate. Moreover, in 15 of the largest metro areas in the U.S., pedestrian deaths rose as overall traffic fatalities decreased.
Pedestrians in New York are particularly at risk. According to a recent national report by Transportation for America, there were over 3,200 pedestrian fatalities in New York in the ten years from 2000 to 2009. This represents almost a quarter of total New York traffic deaths.
New York ranked fourth in the country in senior pedestrian fatalities, with a death rate 283 percent higher for seniors than those residents younger than 65. Those on the other end of the age spectrum are also particularly at risk. Over 200 children under the age of 16 were killed while walking in New York between 2000 and 2007. Pedestrian injuries are the third leading cause of death by unintentional injury for those under age 15 in the United States.
Causes of Pedestrian Deaths
Although there can be many causes of pedestrian accidents, in a comprehensive national report titled "Dangerous by Design: Solving the Epidemic of Preventable Pedestrian Deaths (and Making Great Neighborhoods)," Transportation America found poor road design is one of the biggest roadblocks to safe streets for pedestrians.
The report explained that, "the majority of these [pedestrian] deaths share a common thread: they occurred along 'arterial' roadways that were dangerous by design, streets engineered for speeding traffic with little or no provision for people on foot, in wheelchairs or on bicycles." Nationally, there were over 47,700 pedestrian fatalities and over 688,000 pedestrian injuries between 2000 and 2009.
Recommendations for Improvements
Advocates for pedestrian safety are pushing forward a number of recommendations, including:
- Adopting a "complete streets" policy that mandates that road projects consider pedestrians and all users of the transportation system when developing road designs
- Prioritizing pedestrian safety investments. Nationally, state departments of transportation have allocated under two percent of available federal funds to improve dangerous roads or create alternatives
Lois Wagh Aronstein, AARP New York State Director, explained the urgency of adopting a "complete streets" policy for New York: "Baby boomers begin turning 65 this year, placing us at the start of an unprecedented growth in our aging population. There is no better time to adopt Complete Streets legislation to ensure that roadways are designed so that all users can walk their streets safely."
The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) does not have data on the amount of money it spends annually on pedestrian safety projects. State advocates are requesting greater accountability and transparency regarding how transportation funds are used. Other steps advocates are urging New York lawmakers to take include:
- Developing plans to decrease deaths on the most dangerous roads for New York pedestrians, including the Hempstead Turnpike on Long Island and Route 25/25A
- Reducing traffic injuries for schoolchildren and seniors by increasing funds allocated to the Safe Routes to School and SafeSeniors programs
- Developing a Safe Routes to Transit program which would focus on preventing traffic injuries for those riding public transit
Safety Tips for Pedestrians and Drivers
While it may take time for regulators and lawmakers to make improvements to the New York transportation system, there are several steps New Yorkers can take to minimize risk to pedestrians.
Driver Tips to Prevent Pedestrian Accidents
- Always be on the lookout for pedestrians, even in places where you wouldn't normally expect to find them.
- Approach crosswalks slowly and be prepared to brake. Stop well behind a crosswalk so drivers in other lanes can also have a view of the pedestrians and be prepared to stop.
- If you are waiting for a gap in traffic to turn, continue to also watch for pedestrians that may be walking into your path.
- Be particularly aware of potential pedestrians around schools, senior centers or other areas where younger or older individuals may be walking.
Pedestrian Tips to Prevent Traffic Accidents
- Don't assume drivers see you. Try to make eye contact before crossing in front of traffic.
- Use sidewalks and designated crosswalks when available.
- If walking at night, wear light colors or reflective material or carry a flashlight.
- Be aware that alcohol or drugs may impair pedestrians' ability to walk safely just as such substances impair an individual's driving ability.
Hopefully a combination of increased public awareness and improved road designs will decrease pedestrian fatalities and injuries in New York and nationwide.
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