NYC Sees Deadliest February of Car Crashes in 14 Years

New data from Transportation Alternatives shows a spike in red-light running in New York City, consistent with the rise of car accident-related deaths reported in February 2022. Below, the car accident lawyers at SPBMCC detail what may be causing this spike in fatal NYC accidents as well as what you can do as a car accident victim.

Red-Light Running Spikes, Leads to Deadliest February of Car Accidents since 2008According to News 12 Brooklyn, Danny Harris, the executive director at Transportation Alternatives, calls traffic violence an epidemic.

A total of 23 individuals have died in February of 2022, more than double the number of people killed in crashes in February 2021. It also makes it the deadliest February for car crashes since 2008.

While New York crashes were beginning to drop pre-2018, the numbers began to steadily rise after 2018. In the second half of 2021, for example, red-light violations increased 50% compared to two years earlier, according to the Transportation Alternatives report. The rise in red light violations have a direct correlation to the increase in fatal traffic accidents in New York City.

Advocates Call For Increased Red Light Cameras in New York City

These unsettling numbers have many calling for more strict red-light and speed camera programs in the city, as there is some evidence that more of these programs help manage reckless driving. In NYC school zones, for example, speed cameras ticketed over one million drivers in just 3 months in 2019, an extreme number that demonstrates the dangers and the normalcy of reckless driving in the city.

But reckless driving should be anything but normal—while these programs have been shown to reduce crashes, there remains a cap of 150 red light cameras in the state of New York, a number that is controlled by the State Legislature of Albany. While most fatal car crashes occur during the nighttime hours, state law requires speed cameras only be installed near schools and turned off at night, thereby missing a crucial time period when many serious accidents occur. 

According to Sandra Voss, a member of Families for Safe Streets, “There are 13,250 signalized intersections in New York City. A red-light camera program limited to only 150 locations is woefully inadequate. We have proven tools to save lives, we just need Albany to let New York City use them to their fullest potential.”

Additionally, City Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said in a statement, “Our automated enforcement programs save lives: data shows traffic injuries drop where we install these cameras.”

Know Your Legal Rights If You Were Injured in a Car Accident

As we’ve seen, reckless driving accounts for a disproportionate amount of car crashes yearly. With 42 people killed so far this year in NYC traffic accidents, Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Danny Harris called for better utilization of tools that can curb deadly accidents caused by red-light running. “We’re not talking about accidents, we’re not talking about things that just drop from the sky, there’s no shortage of data about where these crashes occur, about the tools that can help to solve them,” said Harris.

If you were seriously injured in a car accident in New York City, you may be entitled to recover damages—especially if you were injured by a reckless or negligent driver. Compensation options may cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. It is important to remember, however, that it is difficult to recover compensation for your car accident case without the assistance of an experienced attorney. Having legal counsel on your side ensures you receive the maximum compensation available since your attorney can advocate for you and prevent the perpetrator’s insurance agency from low-balling your claim.

Injured in a New York City Car Accident? Contact the Car Accident Lawyers at SPBMCC Today

With red-light running on the rise in New York City, and negligent driving seeming commonplace in New York City, more and more tragic and fatal accidents are occurring every month. If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries or passed away due to the negligence of a reckless driver who ran a red light or was driving over the speed limit, it is imperative that you seek legal assistance. Call the experienced, dedicated, and knowledgeable New York City car accident attorneys at Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo at (212) 732-9000 to schedule a free consultation.

We proudly serve clients in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and the Bronx, as well as Long Island and North Jersey