STATEN ISLAND, New York — SILIVE.com is reporting that a pedestrian was struck by a car in the South Beach neighborhood of Staten Island. First responders received the call reporting the crash around 11:37 a.m. The location of the crash was reported at the intersection of McClean and Lily Pond Avenues. The pedestrian sustained severe […]
STATEN ISLAND, New York — SILIVE.com is reporting that a pedestrian was struck by a car in the South Beach neighborhood of Staten Island. First responders received the call reporting the crash around 11:37 a.m. The location of the crash was reported at the intersection of McClean and Lily Pond Avenues. The pedestrian sustained severe injuries. The latest information available suggested that the pedestrian was transported to Staten Island University Hospital located in Ocean Breeze by EMS. Observers noted that cleanup crews placed sand in the road to soak up spillage. Witnesses to the accident indicated that police officers spoke to the driver of a large sports utility vehicle bearing New York livery plates at the scene of the crash. Neither the NYPD nor the FDNY released any additional information concerning the pedestrian accident.
City Hall’s Vision Zero, which the mayor touted as a bold initiative to reduce the number of traffic deaths to zero, has failed. Initially, the plan seemed to work. City Hall introduced the project in 2014, and the initiative gained momentum. In 2018, traffic deaths were down substantially across all five boroughs. Suddenly, Vision Zero seemed to lose focus. By the mid-point of 2019, the Guardian reports that 65 people had died in traffic crashes in New York compared to 50 in 2018 at the same juncture.
The 30% increase in the traffic death toll in New York City is inexcusable. Sadly, however, the carnage on the streets is not limited to New York City. Pedestrian deaths continue to rise steadily across the United States. New York City dodged the trend for as long as it could.
Families of victims and public advocates argue that the Mayor must shoulder the blame for the program’s failure. City Hall has not reconfigured dangerous intersections as called for by Vision Zero. Additionally, the mayor appears to cater to traffic complaints rather than pursuing safer alternatives like bike lanes as promised, advocates argued. City Hall defended itself by arguing that Vision Zero has led to significant progress in reducing, albeit not eliminating, traffic deaths in New York City.
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