On December 23rd, a New York City bus driver was arrested after hitting and killing a pedestrian in Brooklyn. The accident occurred when the B44 bus attempted to make a left turn from the eastbound lanes on Farragut Road onto New York Avenue in Brooklyn. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver was charged with a misdemeanor count of failing to yield to a pedestrian and a violation of highway law. The driver was also suspended from the MTA while an investigation is being conducted.
The driver was charged with a misdemeanor count of failing to yield to a pedestrian and a violation of highway law. The driver was also suspended from the MTA while an investigation is being conducted.
This is the first such arrest of a MTA bus driver after a pedestrian fatality this year, and comes on the heels of Mayor Bill DiBlasio’s Vision Zero plan. Mayor DiBlasio’s plan to drive down the number of pedestrian deaths was instituted after the 176 pedestrian death in the City in 2013. The Vision Zero plan instituted several changes, including the lowering of the city-wide speed limit to 25 miles per hour last month. The plan also called for increased enforcement of the existing traffic laws.
According to a 2010 city-wide study, a driver’s “failure to yield” was responsible for approximately 27 percent of pedestrian death in New York City. In fact, 44% of injured New York pedestrians were in there crosswalk with the signal when they were struck according to a study conducted by NYU Langone Medical Center.
The increased enforcement of the existing traffic laws has been dramatic. In February of this year, 2,818 “failure to yield” summonses were issued city-wide, as compared to only 1,107 in February, 2013. Tickets issued for running red lights and speeding also increased at the beginning of this year.
In response to the Vision Zero program, the MTA has increased driver training, added new public service announcements to raise awareness of safety risk. MTA supervisors are also conducting more observational rides to ensure safe bus operation. Since these steps have been taken, there has been a 14% reduction in bus collisions involving pedestrians and a 6% reduction in bus collisions involving bicyclists.
Despite this push for roadway safety, since February, nine pedestrians have been killed by city buses. As a pedestrian, it is important to always be vigilant when crossing the street. You should always cross in the crosswalk, with the signal, and always be aware of the traffic around you. If you or someone you know has been hit by a car, bus, or other motor vehicle, please contact our office.
