According to a press release from Governor.NY.GOV, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that projects to improve accessibility at crosswalks and intersections and enhance pedestrian safety across Long Island had been completed. The projects include the Governor’s Pedestrian Safety Action Plan and wheelchair accessible ramps that are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Governor’s […]
Pedestrian safety
According to a press release from Governor.NY.GOV, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that projects to improve accessibility at crosswalks and intersections and enhance pedestrian safety across Long Island had been completed. The projects include the Governor’s Pedestrian Safety Action Plan and wheelchair accessible ramps that are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Governor’s Pedestrian Safety Action Plan created about two-dozen new crosswalks, upgraded 225 uncontrolled crosswalks, and added several new traffic signs and signals throughout Suffolk and Nassau counties. The other safety project added ten new crosswalks at intersections, installed several new buttons on crosswalks and pedestrian signals, and installed over 290 wheelchair-accessible ramps. These improvements and additions put Long Island in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Governor stated that these new pedestrian safety enhancements are part of phase one of our Pedestrian Safety Action Plan designed to create “safer, more walkable communities” throughout Long Island.
According to statistics provided by the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research, pedestrian fatalities in New York dropped from 316 deaths in 2015 to 281 deaths in 2019. On Long Island, the number of fatal pedestrian accidents dropped from 89 to 60 during the same period.
The Department of Transportation performs on-site pedestrian safety evaluations to identify cost-effective upgrades that may substantially improve pedestrian safety. These upgraded often include signalization enhancements, extending crossing times, extending countdown timers, installing high visibility crosswalk markings, and installing additional signs.
