MANHATTAN, NY- NBCNewYork.com writes* that a cyclist was struck by a private garbage truck in Manhattan. The victim suffered severe injuries in the collision. Reports indicate that the cyclist, a 43-year-old man, was hit while biking in Midtown. He is now in serious condition but is stable. He seems to have sustained injuries to both of his arms.
The accident took place just as the city was beginning a “crackdown” on private sanitation trucks. A wave of recent accidents and a finding of multiple violations against many of the privately-owned companies has led to scrutiny and public concern. Police say that many of these companies are continuously violating laws and that they are doing so with deadly results.
The crash took place on Monday, October 29, 2018, a little after 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of 47th Street and Fifth Avenue. The truck driver stayed at the scene. Since 2016, there have been twenty deadly accidents involving garbage trucks in the city. One truck plowed into about six parked vehicles in Brooklyn. The driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the pedestrian accident.
More than 1,800 summonses have been issued since 2017. The violations vary and include driving through red lights, unsafe backing up, and operating defective equipment. According to a representative from the Business Integrity Commission, private garbage truck companies are prioritizing their profits over the safety of the public. Drivers are forced to work long shifts to carry out routes that save the company money. The result is fatigued drivers who in turn out people at risk.
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