Earlier this year, The Mayor’s office implemented its Vision Zero Plan in an attempt to eradicate traffic accident related deaths in the City of New York. However, the Mayor’s Vision Zero plan does not appear to have made the streets of Staten Island any safer for motorists and pedestrians.
Despite the proliferation of “red light cameras” on Staten Island, many drivers still coast through red lights at an alarming rate. Whether running a red light is the result of a driver’s impatience, poor attention, or his general disregard for the rules of the road, the red light cameras have not curbed unsafe driving on Staten Island. In fact, they have only served to increase the City’s coffers, resulting in $27.5 million dollars in revenue last year.
In addition to the use of red light cameras, as part of the Vision Zero Plan, the City collected complaints from New York City residents about various traffic infractions, such as motorists running red lights, and the conditions of the roads, through July 31, 2014. Using this data, the City generated its Vision Zero Interactive Map to illustrate the location of these complaints. The Vision Zero interactive map shows that despite a push for safe driving in the City of New York, there have been more than 50 red light running complaints on Staten Island, with many of them from Richmond Avenue and Forest Avenue.
Incredibly, nine cameras installed on Staten Island between 2010 and 2011 produced an 80% increase in motorist injuries at those intersections. The cameras effect, if any, is to cause drivers to stop short, creating a hazardous scenario for other motorists on the road.
Whether motorists are running red lights or stopping short to avoid receiving a summons, drivers on Staten Island need to be alert and cautious, especially when traffic is light and motorists are traveling at higher rates of speed. Frequently, running a red light or stopping short at an intersection will lead to a collision with another motor vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian, and result in serious injuries to those involved.
The Law Office of Louis Grandelli, P.C. has represented countless Staten Island residents who have been in a car which was struck by another car, truck or bus, as well as motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians who have been seriously injured or killed in accidents. Our office has successfully obtained recoveries on behalf of car accident victims and their families, which are among the highest on record in New York State.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of a motor vehicle accident on Staten Island or anywhere in New York State, please contact our office.
