New York Personal Injury Law Blog

The weather in New York can be highly unpredictable in the fall. A balmy morning can turn into a frigid afternoon, dense patches of fog often cling to the roads well into the morning and clear skies can quickly become darkened by heavy rain clouds. Rapidly changing weather conditions can make driving more hazardous at any time of the year, but sudden storms and fluctuating temperatures can be particularly perilous in the fall.

The leaves that litter New York's roads in October and November can become as dangerous as a sheet of ice after a thunderstorm, and they may also conceal road markings and potholes. The state's abundant deer population also become far more active in the fall, which can make already treacherous roads even more dangerous. Other fall driving challenges include rush-hour sunsets, school buses and early-morning frost.

Millennials in New York and across the U.S. are more likely than other age groups to use their cellphones while driving, according to a recent multi-national study. The study, which was conducted by researchers at Liberty Mutual, surveyed approximately 8,000 drivers in the U.S. and Western Europe about their driving behaviors.

The researchers found that 67% of U.S. drivers who participated in the study said they use their cellphones while on the road, compared to 60% of drivers from Western Europe. They also discovered that millennials are the age group most likely to use their phones behind the wheel. For example, 86% of U.S. millennial drivers admitted they use their phone while operating a vehicle, and 73% of Western European millennials admitted the same. Meanwhile, 79% of of U.S. millennials said they text and drive, compared to 65% of millennials from Western Europe. Finally, 53% of millennials from the U.S. admitted to emailing while behind the wheel, compared to 33% of Western Europeans in the same age group.

Pedestrian fatalities in New York and across the country spiked in 2018 according to data from the Governor's Highway Safety Association. The organization reports that New York had the sixth highest number of pedestrian deaths last year.

More than 6,200 pedestrians were killed on and around U.S. roads in 2018, which is the highest total since 1990. According to traffic safety experts, two of the major reasons for the increase are smartphones and in-vehicle infotainment systems, which distract both drivers and pedestrians. For example, a police officer in Colonie told a media outlet that he routinely tickets drivers for texting behind the wheel, and he frequently issues citations to pedestrians who fail to use crosswalks because they are texting and walking. There were 33 pedestrian accidents in the town last year, and one person was killed.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released estimates indicating that the number of bicyclist deaths increased by 10% in 2018. Cyclist and pedestrian deaths are on the rise in New York and across the country, with each of those statistics likely to hit its highest total in decades. Meanwhile, cars and trucks are getting safer thanks to new technologies.

When the statistics are finalized, the number of cyclist deaths in 2018 is likely to be the highest it has been since 1988. The number of pedestrian fatalities rose by 4% and is likely to be the highest it has been since 1990. The number of traffic fatalities overall dropped by 1%. Several automakers have introduced bicycle and pedestrian detection systems tied to their automatic braking technologies. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has said it will require car makers beginning in 2020 to include pedestrian detection systems as standard features in order to be considered for the ranking of Top Safety Pick Plus.