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Last week a pedestrian, one of many, was killed while crossing the street in “Hells Kitchen”. According to a recent poll, conducted by the Citywide Coalition for Traffic Relief, 75% of the community’s members are concerned with pedestrian safety, while 5% are concerned with crime.
Community leaders and advocacy groups are alarmed by the insufficient enforcement of traffic laws and inept officers at intersections. Members of the community are demanding officers that are qualified to issue summons and harsher monetary penalties for traffic violations.
In an effort to resolve the recent pedestrian safety concerns, the Chair of the Public Safety Committee, along with alarmed community leaders and residents are participating in a Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, February 27th, to voice their concerns.Â
Before you go to play in traffic, checkout how you can participate in the effort to improve pedestrian safety in NYC @ http://www.trafficrelief.org/charter.html.
For info on a recent fatality go to…http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=local&id=5061447 .
   
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Risky intersections are also an issue in Union Square – the intersection by West 17th St, Broadway and East 17th Street (by Petco and Starbucks) – has always been a tricky one for pedestrians. The Union Square Community Coalition fought with Department of Transportation and they did not really help the matter. All they did is to make sure all the traffic lights turn red at one particular time.
I agree that the safety of pedestrians are big issue for New York City. New York is known for there careless drivers, but to blame the safety of pedestrians on only the New York City drivers are wrong because those who walk the streets of Manhattan are not careful themselves. I know because I’m one of them. I’ve heard that the city is beginning to fine people who walk the intersect listening to their ipods or using the cell phone. Personally, I don’t think this will last. Everyone both drivers and pedestrians should be cautious.
I think it would be interesting to study pedestrians who get hit. Whether the driver could not see them, the driver/pedestrian was under the influence or the pedestrian was not paying attention while listening to music. (Listening to an mp3 player is attempting to be banned by one New Jersey legislator).Do you think that a ban on pedestrians listening to music would cut down on fatalities?
I don’t think the entire blame can be placed on pedestrians. Although we do need to be more cautious when crossing NYC streets, it is the obligation of drivers to give pedestrians the right-away and drive safely. This issue is not just prevalent in my neighborhood; in fact there is a city wide rally in front of City Hall this Sunday protesting the death of 166 pedestrians killed in New York City in 2006.
I also think that penalizing pedestrians is a preventive method and constructive way to keep everyone safe.