When you're walking around New York City, you should always take care to be alert and aware of your surroundings for your own safety. Bustling intersections, crowded sidewalks, and busy crosswalks all present potential dangers to people on foot, even locals and lifelong natives to the city. By following a few simple tips, you can reduce your chance of being the victim of a pedestrian accident in NYC.
How to Stay Safe as an NYC Pedestrian
All the cars, trucks, taxis, buses, and bikes can make navigating the streets of New York City tricky for pedestrians.
Here are some steps you should take to protect yourself while sharing the roads with all the traffic:
- Make yourself visible to drivers. Wear bright colors or reflective clothing, especially at night.
- Avoid dangerous behaviors. Don't jaywalk or cross the street between parked cars. Obey posted signs and wait for the walk signal before crossing the street.
- Look before you step out. Always look both ways and ensure no vehicles are coming before crossing the street.
- Make eye contact with drivers. Once you do so, wait for them to stop before proceeding across the street.
- Always use sidewalks and crosswalks when available. Pedestrians should walk outside the lanes of traffic whenever possible.
- Don't look down at your phone. Always keep your eyes up and be mindful of your surroundings while walking. Put away phones and any other distracting devices.
NYC Areas of Special Concern for Pedestrians
According to Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets, traffic fatalities in NYC have been on a concerning upswing of late. Some of the most dangerous areas for pedestrians in NYC include:
- Midtown Manhattan
- Greenwich Village
- Downtown Brooklyn
- Crown Heights
- Flatbush
- Flushing
Construction sites can also be hazardous for pedestrians due to the presence of heavy machinery, falling debris, and other dangers. In addition, pedestrians should always be aware of their surroundings, especially at night when visibility is reduced.
NYC's Future Safety Plan
The City of New York is in the midst of an ambitious new plan to make the streets of NYC safer for pedestrians. New York is facing an epidemic of motor vehicle accidents, and nearly half of all traffic fatalities in one recent year were pedestrians.
One of the plan's main objectives is redesigning 1,000 dangerous intersections. As part of this initiative, the City is constructing 100 raised crosswalks each year to help alert drivers and cyclists to pedestrians' presence and provide them with safe crossings. In addition, the City will require drivers and cyclists to stop for pedestrians at intersections without traffic lights or stop signs.
Contact New York's Pedestrian Accident Law Firm
If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident in NYC, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. The Perecman Firm, is committed to protecting the rights of people injured due to the negligence of others and helping them pursue compensation for their losses.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a New York pedestrian accident lawyer.