In New York and New Jersey, there is always a looming danger of auto accidents with injuries and fatalities. Government entities, legislators and law enforcement are constantly seeking strategies to make the roads safer. Unfortunately, accidents still happen. Since municipalities are so busy and hectic, it is difficult to formulate solutions to improve safety. One campaign that has garnered significant attention in recent years is Vision Zero. However, as recent statistics show, it may not be working as planned.
Summer auto accident fatalities in New York the worst since 2014
Vision Zero was meant to substantially lower the number of road fatalities in New York City. By 2024, the hope was that road fatalities would be eliminated completely. Statistically, that has not come to pass. In fact, in the summer of 2021, there were 77 road fatalities between June and August. Transportation Alternatives assessed the numbers and found that it was the worst summer for road deaths since 2014. There were 42 fatalities involving people inside a vehicle whether as drivers or passengers; 24 pedestrians lost their lives; and seven bicyclists were killed.
In Manhattan, the 11 fatalities were worse than 2017 to 2019 combined. There were 23 deaths in Brooklyn over those three months. Overall, there were 63 deaths through September. In the Bronx, delivery workers were at high risk with 10 losing their lives through September. Of the 13 bicyclists who died in accidents in 2021, almost half were in the Bronx. The program showed positive results at the start, but it is believed that improvements need to be made to road design to enhance safety over the long term. Another issue is the reduction in traffic enforcement. If police are not aggressive with stopping distracted drivers, reckless drivers and drivers who are under the influence, then these behaviors are likely to continue and grow worse.
People should be vigilant about the road risks they may face
Safety initiatives start with the best of intentions, but often they are limited in their success. Injuries in car accidents can lead to massive medical expenses, lost time at work and a radically changed life. Those who have lost a loved one will deal with the financial and personal aftermath from an unexpected and unnecessary death. While it may be difficult, it is imperative to understand the ramifications from a crash and think about how to move forward. Gathering evidence and assessing the case to determine what steps to take is key and professional guidance can be crucial from the outset.