Commissioner States 2024 Vision Zero Goal Unreachable

The 2016 Vision Zero Conference, held on March 10, highlighted new crash statistics and the 2024 goal of zero deaths. The Gothamist reported that the New York Police Department Commissioner Bill Bratton stated zero deaths is an unreachable goal because, “As long as we have humans who are walking and riding bicycles and cars-as long as we have people, we will have crime.”

Commissioner Bratton went on to list the improving statistics for fatalities, and also the one area that needs improvement-pedestrian injuries. Pedestrian injuries have already reached 38 as of March 10, 2016, whereas in 2015 at about the same time, the number was only 33. Fatalities have decreased though in regards to other types of collisions, with traffic deaths in 2015 down to 233 from 269 from the year before. The number of cyclist deaths also decreased in 2015, resulting in 14 fatalities, a great improvement from the 20 deaths in 2014.

During the conference the Commissioner also reported on the increased number of summonses issued in New York City for traffic violations since January 2016. There were 28 percent more summonses issued for speeding, 38 percent more for going through red lights, 47 percent for texting while driving, and 19 percent for improper turns. To continue improving traffic safety and make sure that the laws are better enforced, Commissioner Bratton announced he is going to advocate this year for an additional 400 to 500 traffic enforcement agents.

Efforts to improve New York City traffic safety is an ongoing process. Regardless, auto accidents are an unfortunate reality for too many people. If you have been in a car accident that resulted from someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a personal injury attorney who can best advise you of your legal remedies and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, LLP at 212-571-7171.