Category: Levine & Slavit

Traffic Fatalities Have Risen Over 60% in the Past 10 Years

With the growing number of pedestrians and bicyclists being hit and killed by motor vehicles, Ira S. Slavit, Partner, Levine & Slavit PLLC, says the growing number of fatalities on the road can be attributed to the increased sales of larger vehicles such as sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pickup trucks that, while considered safer, are more likely to be involved in such collisions due to the vehicles’ larger blind zones on these vehicles.

According to government data, while the number of fatal auto crashes increased 43% between 2011 and 2022 from 29,867 to 42,795, the number of deaths involving pedestrians and cyclists went up 64% during the same time period to an estimated 8,413 fatalities. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe Center released a report in January which showed that, although the newer, larger vehicles contain more safety features to protect the driver and its passengers, their size has also created larger blind spots, putting bicyclists and pedestrians at greater risk.

“It used to be that speeding contributed to a majority of motor vehicle fatalities,” Mr. Slavit says. “While that still is the case, we are seeing bicyclists and pedestrians getting killed in ‘frontover’ incidents by slower-moving SUVs and pickup trucks. The driver is so high up inside the vehicle, they cannot see who is in front of them or next to them, resulting in tragic consequences.”

Mr. Slavit says drivers should not just rely on cameras to see if there is anyone around them. “They should check over their shoulder and look behind them before making any turns,” he says. “Remember: if they can’t see you, you can’t see them. By being more aware, you can avert future tragedies.”

For more information on Levine & Slavit, visit www.newyorkinjuries.com.

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About Levine & Slavit PLLC

Levine & Slavit PLLC is a third-generation personal injury firm serving Long Island and the greater New York City area. Its attorneys handle cases such as auto accidents, slip and fall injuries, medical malpractice, wrongful death and products liability. The firm strives to obtain just recovery for its personal injury clients, whether for long-term or short-term needs, and works hard to ensure that its clients are not burdened with costly medical bills as a result of someone else’s action or inaction. For more information, visit www.newyorkinjuries.com.

Ira S. Slavit, Partner, Levine & Slavit PLLC, says the growing number of fatalities on the road can be attributed to how people are not adhering to traffic laws, even after the pandemic lockdown, which also saw a growing number of deaths behind the wheel, although there were fewer vehicles on the road.

This month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) came out with a report that showed that, during the first nine months of 2021 — a year after the lockdown was lifted — there were 31,720 deaths on U.S. roads, the highest since 2011. That is a 12% increase over the same nine months in 2020, with 28,325 fatalities. What’s more, the third quarter of 2021 saw 11,750 traffic deaths, which is higher than the same quarter in 2020 with 11,305 deaths and the second quarter of 2021, which had 11,065 deaths.

In New York State, 811 people were killed on the roads between January 2021 and September 2021, which is 6.0% higher than it was the first nine months the previous year with 765 deaths, according to the NHTSA. The organization also found that the Empire State had the second-highest number of traffic deaths in the Northeast followed by New Jersey (496) and Connecticut (253); Pennsylvania had the highest number of highway fatalities in the region with 903.

The main causes of these fatalities include not using seat belts, drunk driving and using a cell phone behind the wheel, based on the analysis of data from NHTSA. “The causes are not surprising, but what is surprising is how much more prevalent these poor driving habits became after the pandemic lockdown ended,” Mr. Slavit says.

“These numbers show a disturbing trend on the roads nationwide, including New York,” Mr. Slavit said. “During the pandemic lockdown, there weren’t as many people driving, but we saw a spike in traffic-related deaths. Now, with the lockdown being lifted, stores and businesses fully reopening and people returning to the office, that means more cars on the road and, because of careless driving habits, a greater number of fatalities. If you have been injured in a car crash, or had a loved one killed as a result of someone else’s reckless driving, contact a personal injury attorney immediately.”

For more information on Levine & Slavit, visit www.newyorkinjuries.com.

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About Levine & Slavit PLLC

Levine & Slavit PLLC is a third-generation personal injury firm serving Long Island and the greater New York City area. Its attorneys handle cases such as auto accidents, slip and fall injuries, medical malpractice, wrongful death and products lability. The firm strives to obtain just recovery for its personal injury clients, whether for long-term or short-term needs, and works hard to ensure that its clients are not burdened with costly medical bills as a result of someone else’s action or inaction. For more information, visit www.newyorkinjuries.com.

During the pandemic, fewer people were on the roads, yet the number of traffic deaths went up. For Black drivers, the death rate was much higher, citing the configuration of unsafe roads that can be found in communities of color. Ira Slavit, Partner, Levine & Slavit PLLC, says local, state and federal governments must work together to improve these roadways to reduce the number of fatalities among Black drivers.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), of the 38,680 people who were killed in crashes last year, 7,494 were Black. Even though total overall deaths were up 7% last year, the number of traffic deaths among Blacks increased 23%. In addition, recent study from the Governors Highway Safety Association found that, from 2015 to 2019, Black drivers were twice as likely as White drivers to be killed in crashes.

A research article from BMC Public Health showed that more dangerous roads can be found in or around neighborhoods whose residents are predominantly people of color. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has proposed $20 billion to the nation’s infrastructure plan to reduce crashes and traffic deaths, especially those among Black drivers.

“These statistics show the need to improve our roadways, especially in communities of color,” Mr. Slavit says. “Even during the pandemic, a disproportionate number of Black drivers were killed on our highways, and we need to fix this. All levels of government should come together to make the necessary infrastructural improvements to reduce the number of traffic deaths among Black drivers. If your loved one has been killed in a car crash as a result of unsafe roads, please contact a personal injury attorney immediately to protect your rights.”

For more information on Levine & Slavit, visit www.newyorkinjuries.com.