-
New York’s Vision Zero – A Traffic Accident Reduction Plan
on May 31, 2014
on May 31, 2014Mayor de Blasio has proposed a variety of new initiatives with the statement goal of improving street safety in New York City. The Plan, available at http://www.nyc.gov/html/visionzero/pdf/nyc-vision-zero-action-plan.pdf, sets forth ambitious actions to eliminate all traffic fatalities. The Plan was based on a Swedish safety program known as Vision Zero. Currently, there are approximately 4,000 New Yorkers that are seriously injured in traffic accidents each year. An additional 250 New Yorkers are killed as a result of a traffic collision. According to de Blasio, New Yorkers are injured by car accidents every two hours.
To facilitate the plan, de Blasio is forming a Vision Zero task force to analyze and adopt policies that impact traffic injuries. Similarly, a Vision Zero website will be launched to education New Yorkers about traffic issues and accept input from New York citizens on methods to reduce or eliminate traffic injuries. The Mayor’s office will also regularly publish statistical data on car accidents to allow for better analysis of what actions are working and what needs to be changed. The Vision Zero task force will seek to partner with industries to increase education and facilitate design changes to make motor vehicles more safe.
Finally, the Mayor will seek authorization from the State to place and install speed and red-light cameras throughout New York City. Additional authorization will be sought to reduce the city-wide speed limit to 25 miles per hour and to increase the penalties associated with traffic infractions.
The Police will also be charged with improving their enforcement of traffic infractions, moving violations, and distracted driving. Further, the Police will be required to increase enforcement at a Precinct level – meaning local Police will be spending more time on traffic patrol. The City will invest in upgraded speed measuring devices that can better, and more accurately, measure speed to assist in the enforcement of the speed limit on New York Streets.
The Police will also expand their Collision Investigation Squad so that all car accidents with critical injuries are thoroughly investigated. The precinct level traffic plans will be amended to increase attention on pedestrian safety. Further, the Police will be provided access to enhanced training opportunities so that Offices can provide better and more accurate accident reports and collision opinions.
In addition to the Mayor’s office and the Police changing their emphasis, de Blasio proposes new intersection improvements to address pedestrian and vehicle safety issues. Further, the Department of Transportation will be directed to create new 25 miles per hour arterial slow zones throughout the city. If the authority is granted, de Blasio wants to install 20 speed cameras and 250 speed bumps throughout
New York City. Vision Zero is an ambitious plan, designed to reduce traffic collision injuries. Until the Vision Zero goal is reached, however, we recognize that car accidents will occur. At Slater, Tenaglia, Fritz & Hunt we take your injury seriously. We are aggressive in pursuing the full and fair compensation you deserve from the negligent party that caused your accident. To schedule your complimentary initial consultation, contact us by phone at (201) 820-6001 in New Jersey or (212) 692-0200 in New York. We can also be found on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, Youtube and on the Internet. All personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay our fees unless we recover for you. Contact us today!