Auto Accidents

Published on: May 28, 2014

To prevent motorists from speeding and reduce the number of car accidents, the city of New York is considering warning signs for speed cameras

Previous studies have shown that warning signs for speed cameras help slow down speeding drivers and the city of New York is looking at this option according to the Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.

Today there are only 20 speed cameras in the city but a recent legislation was passed to add 200 more speed cameras in the city and in Long Island.

Currently, the locations of existing cameras have not been released and warning signs don’t publicize them. Adding to that the current legislation that expands the camera program specifically excuses the use of warning signs for future camera installations.

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Published on: May 21, 2014

The NYPD ticketed more than 1000 drivers in 5 days at a dangerous Queens intersection where a young woman recently died after being struck by a MTA bus

By GGCRBHS&M

As part of the Vision Zero Initiative to reduce deaths and injuries related to traffic accidents, New York police officers gave out more than 1000 summonses including 500 for failure to yield to pedestrian between May 5th and May 10th at a dangerous Queens intersection located near 74th street, Roosevelt Ave and Broadway.

The location was selected by the city because it has a history of accident. Last February a 25 year old woman was struck to death by a MTA bus at this intersection.

As part of the Vision Zero Initiative to reduce the number of traffic related deaths and personal injuries, the NYPD launched yesterday a two-day citywide crackdown on speeding

By GGCRBHS&M

The police started yesterday a two-day crackdown on speeding in NYC. Every month in New York there are approximately 250 traffic accidents related to unsafe speed. In their announcement the police say that drivers should adhere to newly created “arterial slow zones” and “school zones” throughout the city where speed limits are reduced to 25 and 20 miles per hour respectively. If they don’t, they could be fined anywhere between $90 and $600 and receive a 3 to 11 points on their license, police warned.

Queens pedestrian suffers traumatic brain injury, broken femur and dislocated shoulder after being struck by a hit and run driver on the sidewalk

By GGCRBHS&M

A pedestrian was knocked unconscious by a hit and run driver on a Queens sidewalk yesterday night. A security camera from a nearby restaurant captured the hit and run. Police say a white sedan drove up onto the sidewalk while going westbound on 30th Avenue in Astoria, then plowed into the victim at 45th Street at about 4 a.m. Saturday. The driver sped away. The police are still looking for him.

Published on: May 20, 2014

20 year old driver and 18 year old passenger killed in car accident in Brooklyn, NYC

By GGCRBHS&M

A young driver who was speeding through a busy Brooklyn intersection crashed his car into another car killing himself and his 18 year old passenger. A surveillance video shows a Nissan Maxima heading South on Flatbush Ave at a very high speed and slamming into a BMW SUV that was making a left turn. The impact was so strong that the Maxima split in half after it went flying into a utility pole on the other side of the road. The passenger, 18 year old Christina Wipper, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, 20 year old Philbert Martin Williams, was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The two passengers of the BMW suffered minor injuries.

Published on: May 19, 2014

“Click it or Ticket” annual campaign starts Today to remind motorists that seat belts can save lives in the event of a crash

By GGCRBHS&M

Seat belts reduce the chance of injury or death during a car accident but 13% of the motorists still don’t get it. According to recent statistics, 52% of all people who died in a car crash in 2012 were not wearing a seat belt. At night time the situation is worst. In 2012, 61% of the motorists who died in a nighttime crash were not wearing their seat belt.

To remind motorists that seat belts can save lives, the NHTSA launched Today its annual “Click it or Ticket Campaign”. Approximately 10,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide will participate in the “Click It or Ticket” mobilization from May 19 through June 1. This year’s campaign includes the “Fake-A-Rooney” advertisement that airs nationally through May 26.

Read the press release from the NHTSA

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Published on: May 19, 2014

To reduce the number of pedestrian and bicycle accidents on a dangerous stretch of Morningside Ave in Harlem, NYC, CB10’s Transportation Committee finally accepted a DOT proposal to redesign the road

By GGCRBHS&M

31 pedestrians, 10 bicyclists and 70 motor vehicle occupants suffered personal injury between 2007 and 2011 after they were involved in a traffic accident on Morningside Avenue between W 166th and W 126th street. Speeding is a main concern with 58% of northbound vehicles and 66% of southbound vehicles speeding according to a recent speed survey.

Last week after nine months of stalled deliberation, Community Board 10’s Transportation Committee accepted a proposal by the NYC Department of Transportation to make the dangerous corridor safer. The DOT proposed the reduction of four traffic lines to three on Morning Side Ave between 116th street and 126th street.

Read more in Street Blog

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Published on: May 14, 2014

After two pedestrians died and many suffered personal injury after being struck by motor vehicles, the intersection of Broadway and 96th Street in Manhattan will be redesigned to enhance pedestrian safety

By GGCRBHS&M

As part of the Vision Zero plan to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries, NYC DOT, NYPD, Congressman Nadler, Borough President Brewer, Council Members Rodriguez and Rosenthal announced yesterday that the dangerous intersection of Broadway and 96th Street in the Upper West Side of New York will be revamped.

The project simplifies signal timing, eliminates two left turns at the intersection, adds pedestrian space, enhances access and safety by reducing pedestrian crossing distances and creates a signalized crosswalk across West 96th Street between the two median malls at this busy transit connection.

Read more in the Department Of Transportation Press Release

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Published on: May 13, 2014

A Potential Delay in Air Bag Deployment during Rollover Crashes and Defective Door Handles Prompted Ford Motor to Recall the 2013-2014 Model-year Escapes and C-Max Hybrids

By GGCRBHS&M

Defective software may delay the deployment of the airbags in case of a rollover accident in the 2013-2014 model-year Escapes. Therefore Ford Motor is recalling 692,487 vehicles in North America to fix the glitch.

Ford also announced the recall of 692,744 2013-2014-MY Escapes because they may have defective handles that may prevent the doors from latching properly, posing a safety risk when the car is in motion. Dealers will inspect the door handles and re-position them if necessary.

The majority of the recalled Escapes are at risk for both problems – the air bag software glitch and the faulty door handle.

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Published on: May 12, 2014

Worker at Gowanus Auto Body Shop killed by Hit and Run Driver

By GGCRBHS&M

A worker who was repairing a car on the sidewalk in Brooklyn, NYC, was struck by a hit and run driver and died from his injuries at the hospital on Saturday afternoon. Felipe Castro Palacios was repairing a car that was parked halfway on the sidewalk in front of the Gowanus Auto Body Shop when the accident happened. The driver of a black Nissan Altima lost the control of his vehicle and crashed into the car that Felipe was repairing as well as two other cars. The driver took off but according to the New York Daily News a witness was able to write down the plate number. The car was a rental and the police are still looking for the driver.

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Felipe Palacio Castro and the Gowanus Auto Body Shop (Google Street Map)