Anytime you are walking anywhere, you should always err on the side of caution and pay close attention to your surroundings when crossing the street. But, did you know that some roads are inherently more dangerous than others?
The most dangerous road for pedestrians in the tri-state area is the Hempstead Turnpike in Nassau County, according to the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. The road took the top spot for the fifth consecutive year since the group’s first analysis in 2008. Despite the fact that the New York State Department of Transportation started work in March 2012 to make the road safer by raising medians, creating new crosswalks, relocating six bus stops closer to crosswalks and changing traffic signals to calm traffic, it still ranked first in the 2013 analysis.
If you are wondering how the five boroughs ranked, Manhattan took first place with the most dangerous road being Broadway. This road saw 12 pedestrian fatalities over a three-year period and one fatality happening north of 96th Street. Broadway is also the most dangerous street in the Bronx. The most dangerous road in Brooklyn is Ocean Parkway. Woodhaven Boulevard is the most dangerous road in Queens for pedestrian-related auto accidents, and Richmond Avenue in Staten Island is the most dangerous road.
Broadway in Manhattan was also recognized as the second most dangerous road in the tri-state area. Completing the list of the top 10 most dangerous roads for walking in the tri-state area were:
• Jericho Turnpike in Suffolk County, New York
• Sunrise Highway in Nassau County, New York
• State Route 110 in Suffolk County, New York
• Blackhorse Pike in Atlantic County, New Jersey
• Burlington Pike in Burlington County, New Jersey
• Route 1 in Middlesex County, New Jersey
• State Route 27 in Suffolk County, New York
• White Horse Pike in Camden County, New Jersey
• Route 9 in Middlesex County, New Jersey
As this study proves, walking around New York can be quite dangerous as there are many busy intersections and crowded areas. According to the New York City Department of Transportation, pedestrians are 10 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident than a passenger involve in an automobile collision. In fact, a recent study conducted by the NYC DOT showed that 52 percent of all traffic fatalities in New York City from 2005-2009 involved pedestrians. A whopping 36 percent of these tragedies were the direct result of driver inattention. Sadly, city transit buses, taxi drivers and other motorists tooling around New York do not always follow established traffic rules and regulations. Unfortunately negligent drivers can cause many serious personal injuries and deaths that could have otherwise been avoided.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident in Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn or elsewhere in New York, a New York Pedestrian Accident Attorney at Whittel & Melton can help you recover financial compensation for your damages. We are available 24 hours a day. Please call us at 866-608-5529.