2022 Brings Deadly Car Accident Trends to NYC

A fatal crash on February 9 took the life of Davina Akofoba in Queens. She was only 10 years old. Davina was walking along the sidewalk near her school when a car from a supermarket parking lot sped out and hit her. The car’s driver seemed to have lost control of the car and crashed into the people on the sidewalk on the opposite side of the road, killing Davina.

While it’s still too early to tell, if such car accidents continue, New York City is poised to have its deadliest year in a decade. According to preliminary Vision Zero data, there have been 6,375 injuries and 45 deaths in New York as of February 28, 2022. These include 19 motorists, 21 pedestrians, and 2 bicyclists.

How These Deadly Car Accident Trends Can Be Reversed in NYC

No other person should have to endure the pain and suffering of a loved one’s death due to a preventable crash, as what happened in 2021, the deadliest year on NYC roadways since 2013. Currently, Mayor Adams supports the NYC 25×25 initiative and has committed to strengthening half of the plastic-protected bicycle lane barriers, decreasing the municipal fleet by up to 70%, and redesigning 1,000 dangerous intersections to protect pedestrians and control driver speed.

But more action needs to be taken to ensure the safety of all road users in NYC:

• Strengthen the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program. Approximately 60% of pedestrians that died in 2021 were killed by drivers who are major violators, which are those that didn’t have a license, had three or more prior convictions, and fled the accident scene. The program would allow for easier impounding of vehicles that major violator drivers own, a vital effort that could’ve
• Identify corridors that require major improvements to support public and motorist safety.
• Launch the speed governors program, which involves the use of Intelligent Speed Assistance, devices that limit the vehicle’s top speed. Installing these devices on municipal vehicles can help set an example for safe and responsible driving.
• Require the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) to follow the Street Design Checklist by Vision Zero. Doing so will help ensure that all major redesign efforts on arterial streets will be conducted to stringent safety standards.
• Convert taxes for vehicle use to a weight-based system. This can reflect the significant impact of heavier vehicles on the streets, carbon emission, and crash death rates. Likewise, most counties in the state already do this, and it could help encourage drivers to use safer and smaller vehicles.

Talk to a Seasoned Queens Car Accident Attorney Now

If you’ve been hurt in a car crash in NYC, please don’t hesitate to contact the law office of Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman, P.C., for legal assistance. You can learn more about your case and options for recovering financial compensation in a free case evaluation with our Queens car accident attorney. Call 212-285-3300 or contact us online for more details.