09/30/2012 // New York City, NY, USA // New York City Accident Lawyer // Jonathan C Reiter // (press release)
New York City continues to tackle traffic-related injury and death rates, explains New York City car accident lawyer Jonathan C Reiter. The New York City Council is collaborating with Transportation Alternatives to decrease the number of people killed and seriously injured in traffic accidents, by introducing a new bill that calls for a task force to overhaul the NYPD’s traffic enforcement and crash investigation procedures.
New York City accident lawyer Jonathan C Reiter reports that on Wednesday, July 25, Councilmembers Brad Lander, D-Park Slope and James Vacca, D-Bronx, presented The Crash Investigation Reform Act during a press conference. The act aims to assess the NYPD’s traffic safety enforcement and accident investigation procedures.
After the initial NYPD procedure assessment, the results will be used to decide and then implement the most effective measures to lower the number of fatalities and injuries.
Transportation Alternatives, an advocacy group that strives to create safer bicycle, walking, and public transportation routes throughout the city, noted that 21 cyclists died in vehicle crashes in NYC in 2011. Of those 21 deaths caused by auto-related accidents, only two drivers were arrested.
Councilman Stephen Levin explains that the NYPD only maintains 19 officers who are called to accident investigations. He clarifies that an investigation occurs only if “a person dies or is likely to die.”
Presenter of the Act, Council Member Brad Lander stated Wednesday, “Crashes that result in serious injuries demand serious investigations. But right now, they just aren’t getting them from the NYPD…The Crash Investigation Reform Act would set up a comprehensive review of NYPD policies regarding traffic crash investigations, and get us on the road to safer streets.”
Mr. Reiter explains that 237 people were killed in traffic-related accidents within NYC last year. Between January and May of 2012, 113 people lost their lives in traffic accidents.
To bookmark this story, visit New York City Legislation Seeks Safer Streets.
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