New York residents might be surprised to learn that while roads are becoming safer for drivers, they are actually more dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. According to the statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the year 2018, these trends are a concern.
The NHTSA stated that traffic deaths were down by 2.4% in 2018, dropping for a second year. On the other hand, the report stated that pedestrian fatalities and deaths of cyclists and others riding pedaled vehicles were up, 3.4% and 6.3% respectively. Additionally, deaths from car accidents involving large trucks were up slightly by less than 1%, but those deaths had increased 46.5% over the last decade. The pedestrian deaths were also at the highest in 28 years, increasing 53% since 2009.
The decrease in traffic deaths was partially attributed by the NHTSA to new vehicles using more efficient technology while the increase in pedestrian and cyclists deaths might be due to an increasing number of vehicles on the road, including SUVs, which might result in less visibility for drivers to see people walking and riding bikes. The NHTSA reported that most deaths are preventable, and more education and programs are needed to prevent them.
When it comes to large trucks, the concern also revolves around the legislation being pushed by the Trump Administration, which is seeking to relax current rules to allow drivers to complete 17-hour workdays and to eliminate the mandatory 30 minutes rest after eight hours of driving.
Considering many of the previous issues, there is a possibility that a person might be injured in a traffic collision. In those cases, the person might wish to speak to a personal injury lawyer about filing a claim for damages. The lawyer may guide their client through the process and advise them about what evidence they can gather, including police reports and witness accounts.