Traffic fatalities are on the rise according to the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT).

Our New York personal injury lawyers know this trend could continue as the economy recovers. Of particular concern are fatal New York City motorcycle accidents -- which now account for nearly 15 percent of traffic fatalities, despite accounting for just 2 percent of vehicles.

Speeding was found to be the cause in 46% of all fatal motorcycle crashes. It is not surprising that fatal motorcycle crashes increased by 10 from 2009. Riding a motorcycle is an economical means of getting around the city and the statistics had nowhere to go but up after a year of record-low fatalities attributable to the economic meltdown. Authorities encourage motorists to watch for motorcycles as spring begins. Taking an extra moment to watch for bicyclists and pedestrians can also help prevent a tragedy.

In 2008, DOT launched Safe Streets for Seniors in an effort to improve safety for the elderly population. Though improvements have been made to 10 senior housing areas, there were still 44 senior fatalities in 2009.

The DOT reported 151 pedestrian fatalities. Bicycle traffic deaths increased from the previous year and totaled 18. This trend could continue with the growing number of bike paths available.

An interesting statistic lead DOT to launch the That's Why It's 30 campaign. This was in an effort to combat speeding. A study found that a surprising number of New Yorkers were not aware of the city's 30 mph speed limit. The ad campaign made drivers aware of the value of driving at a speed of 30 mph rather than 40 mph. Statistically it is reported that if a pedestrian is hit by a motor vehicle going 40 mph, they have a 70% chance of being fatally injured. However, if the motor vehicle decreases its speed to 30 mph the pedestrian has an 80% chance of surviving the collision.

The You the Man initiative targeted young men in the hopes of reducing drunk driving. In 2008, almost two thirds of alcohol-related crashes in the city involved men between the age of 21 and 39. New Yorkers also have an option with an iPhone app that provides available locations and contacts for a car service to give them a ride home.


Planned DOT initiatives include:

-Installation, across all five boroughs, of 1,500 countdown pedestrian signals.

-Evaluating neighborhood wide 20 mph zones. This is an effort to reduce speeds in areas and not individual streets.

-Address safety concerns in ranked corridors and fix 60 miles of roads per year.

-Re-engineer, in Manhattan, 20 dangerous intersections and also remove some curbside parking spaces. This is an attempt to increase visibility of pedestrians at left turns near intersections.