Queens Boulevard- Pedestrian Death Trap Finally Getting Safety Renovations
As any Queens resident knows, the Daily News description of Queens Boulevard as the “Boulevard of Death” is on point. While the 16 lane roadway has long been a pedestrian death trap, Mayor DeBlasio’s Vision Zero plan to significantly lower traffic deaths is targeting Queens Boulevard for major safety renovations.
The fatality statistics to date are horrifying. According to the Daily News, there were 17 pedestrian deaths on Queens Boulevard from auto accidents in the year 1993 and 55 such fatalities through 2000. While the past 6 years have had better numbers, it is completely unacceptable that 14 pedestrians have lost their lives in that time period.
Mayor DeBlasio and Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, according to the Daily News, have proposed a $100 million plan to build “more generous medians to encourage pedestrians to pause mid-cross rather than try to beat a flashing don’t-walk light and bike lanes that are safely buffered from motor traffic.”
It’s about time someone in charge recognized that pedestrian safety should be a priority in New York City. According to the Tri-State Transportation Campaign in a recent Daily News article, New York State is number 1 in the nation in pedestrian fatalities (732 from 2011-2013) and 60% of these fatal pedestrian auto accidents were in New York City (453 pedestrians died on city streets 2011-2013). This madness must stop and Queens Boulevard is a fitting starting point. Mayor DeBlasio, Commissioner Trottenberg and all concerned New Yorkers should not be satisfied until Queens Boulevard fulfills the goal of Vision Zero– a place where no pedestrian falls victim to death from auto accidents.
Photo Link: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/QueensBlvd-GrandAve_PedWarning_Sign-Elmhurst.jpg
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