For residents of New York State (NYS), the spring and summer months mean spending more time outdoors following the extreme, cold temperatures and snowy conditions of winter. During this time, it's not uncommon for tourists to be flooding into different areas of the state or for people to be spending time outside of the City, causing an increase in pedestrian and cyclist traffic.
Unfortunately, this increase often leads to higher incident rates of pedestrian and cyclist-involved motor vehicle crashes. Here are some alarming statistics you should know.
New York Pedestrian and Bicycle Crash Statistics
The New York Department of Health reports on motor vehicle crashes throughout the state. According to their data, nearly 30% of fatal traffic crashes annually involve a pedestrian, and, on average, pedestrians account for 12,506 visits to the ER and 3,027 hospitalizations. Although most of these instances involve males aged 20-24, fatalities are highest among males 65 and older.
Furthermore, the percentage of fatal crashes involving cyclists has increased over time. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NYS pedalcyclist fatalities increased by 9% from 2010 to 2011. The rates of these crashes in rural areas also increased, prompting many local officials to reexamine laws and the safety of their streets.
For Kingston residents, the beginning of 2022 saw major improvements in bike lanes and street accessibility with better intersections and crosswalks. This comes after a year of several road collisions involving cyclists and pedestrians.
What Causes These Crashes?
There are numerous reasons why these crashes occur, and it may involve negligence on both a driver's and pedestrian/cyclist’s part. For example, a driver may be distracted and fail to see a pedestrian in the crosswalk or a cyclist on the road. Alternatively, a driver may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, impairing their ability to operate a vehicle safely.
As for pedestrians, jaywalking or crossing outside of a marked crosswalk without looking for oncoming vehicles may result in a crash. Additionally, if a pedestrian is not paying attention to their surroundings or is impaired by drugs or alcohol, they may walk into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Cyclists may also fail to use the appropriate hand signals to communicate with drivers or ride against the flow of traffic (which is against the law in New York).
This is why it's imperative for every road user to remain alert and proceed with caution in areas where pedestrian and cyclist traffic is likely.
Hudson Valley Pedestrian Crash? Call Basch & Keegan LLP Today!
When you or a loved one has been injured as a pedestrian in a car crash, don’t wait - call Basch & Keegan LLP to get started with your claim. We’ll help you understand the process and provide the representation you deserve. Call (845) 251-4545 or fill out this short form to schedule a consultation to discuss your legal options.