Vision Zero Program Cracks Down on Reckless Holiday Drivers

 Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYPD and the New York City Department of Transportation have made a joint announcement that they will be cracking down on reckless drivers this holiday season. According to a CBS news report, winter is one of the most dangerous times of the year in the city. As more shoppers and tourists take to the streets to experience the magic of the holidays in New York City, traffic congestion and foot traffic also increases contributing to a 40 percent spike in pedestrian accidents.

Traffic Safety and Enforcement
Mayor de Blasio and other city officials recently announced the continuation of the Vision Zero program’s “Dusk and Darkness” initiative, which aims to curb such types of accidents, especially those involving poor light. Officials say the month of December is historically the most dangerous time on New York City’s streets because of more hours of darkness. New measures under the initiative include increased police patrols in the evening hours between 4 a.m. and 9 p.m. and strategic enforcement of so-called “priority locations,” or areas where pedestrians are at a heightened risk of getting injured.
NYPD officers will also be watching for drivers who fail to yield, speed, and/or commit red light violations. They say they will also actively look out for motorists who are driving under the influence, particularly during the evening and night hours. The Department of Transportation plans to complete installations of new lighting upgrades at 1,000 intersections across the city. In addition, some traffic signals have also been slowed down in order to give pedestrians more times to get across streets.
Five Steps that Drivers can Take
Since Mayor de Blasio launched Vision Zero in January 2014, the city’s statistics show that the deadly crashes have gone down significantly dropping from 240 in 2014 to 204 in 2016. But, in the last two years, pedestrians fatalities have seen an increase – going up from 120 in 2015 to 126 2016. Mayor de Blasio has said drivers are mostly to blame for pedestrian accidents.
There are a number of reasons why pedestrian accidents occur. Some of the most common causes include reckless driving or speeding; failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks; impaired driving and distracted driving. There are a number of things drivers can do to make sure they avoid these types of accidents:
• Drive at the appropriate speed. The higher the speed, the greater the chance of a fatal or major injury pedestrian accident. Driving at the right speed also gives motorists the chance to slow down and yield to pedestrians.
• Yield the right of way to pedestrians always at crosswalks. Slow down when you go toward an intersection. Consciously look for pedestrians before proceeding.
• Put away all electronic devices before you get on the road. When you text or even look at your phone, that’s enough time to miss noticing a pedestrian who may be in your path. Such distracted behavior while driving may have deadly consequences.
• Do not drive while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Be sure to clean your windshield and make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition so you can see clearly.
Compensation for Injured Victims
Pedestrian accidents often result in life-altering injuries such as brain trauma, spinal cord damage, multiple broken bones and even amputations. Injured victims of pedestrian accidents can seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a reckless driver or due to someone else’s negligence, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
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Source: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/11/29/vision-zero-dusk-and-darkness/