There are plenty of old jokes about female drivers – they should not be told by New York City men. Recent research from the New York City Department of Transportation reveals that pedestrians need to be more concerned about male drivers than their female counterparts. In 80 percent of New York City accidents involving pedestrian deaths or injuries, a male driver was behind the wheel.
The study also debunked another New York traffic myth. Taxicabs surprisingly accounted for only 16 percent of pedestrian accidents, despite making up half of New York City traffic during working hours.
Pedestrians face the greatest risk of being injured between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., with 40 percent of pedestrian crashes occurring during these hours. Pedestrian/vehicle accidents between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. are more likely to result in pedestrian fatalities, however. The most dangerous months for pedestrians were November and December. The report attributed this to increased pedestrian traffic because of holiday shopping and shorter daylight hours. Left-hand turns across crosswalks accounted for three times the pedestrian fatalities as right-hand turns. Overall, 256 traffic fatalities were reported in New York City last year.
How can a pedestrian avoid becoming one of these statistics? The NYCDOT provides some tips:
- Give yourself the most time to cross by waiting for a newly turned green or walk signal.
- Stop and look in all directions before you cross. Keep scanning for vehicles as you cross.
- Wear light-colored clothing, use reflective material, carry a flashlight and hold your hand up high: Do whatever it takes to make yourself more visible to drivers.
If you are a pedestrian injured by a negligent motorist, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney.
