A recent Mayor's Management Report revealed a 23 percent increase in New York City traffic fatalities. The September 2012 Mayor's Management Report revealed a 23 percent increase in New York City traffic fatalities. That number - which includes deaths involving automobiles, bicycles and walkers - is particularly discouraging because it halts a trend of improved safety beginning in 2007.
The data measured the period from July 2011 through June 2012, yielding a total of 291 traffic-related deaths. The previous yearlong stretch had only 236 fatalities.
The Bloomberg administration is struggling to answer why there was an increase in fatal accidents, suggesting that drunk drivers, speeding motorists and red light runners are to blame for the discouraging report. However, various forms of negligent driving have always been an issue in New York. Intoxicated driving and a disregard for City traffic laws aren't new phenomena.
In prior reports containing encouraging statistics, Mayor Michael Bloomberg was quick to label them as products of his initiatives to add more d
esignated bicycle lanes and pedestrian plazas throughout the City.
Now, City officials must find convincing reasons to explain how 176 pedestrians or bicyclists died in accidents and another 115 people in motor vehicles crashes were killed.
Possible Factors for the Increased Fatalities
City Transportation Department Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan believes that a surge in distracted pedestrians accounts for some of the increase. Walkers are increasingly texting, Web surfing and talking while walking.
Sadik-Khan told the New York Times that she recently "saved three or four people" from likely pedestrian accidents while they were distracted by their cellphones.
Other possible factors include:
• Distracted driving;
• Motorists impaired by prescription medication such as painkillers or antidepressants;
• Drowsy driving;
• Disregard of cyclists' rights, including designated bicycle lanes and the three-foot "bubble" law.
The above factors have recently received national attention for their prevalence among today's motorists. While they are generic targets of blame for New York's deadly traffic problem, they are something to consider until City officials can provide convincing answers.
