The City of New York publishes an updated report every month on the number of automobile collisions in the city. These statistics are quite revealing when it comes to analyzing what is the number one cause of many accidents in the city.
Types and Volume of Accidents
Backing up unsafely is now up to over nine hundred incidents, but that is nothing compared to the inattentive/distracted driver amount of 5,869 accidents. Alcohol and drug involvement is a smaller number than those and the report does separate out the use of phones either hands-free or handheld.
Lane changing accidents are also in the nine hundred range, but what all these statistics really say is that, in a crowded city such as New York, the roads have too many distracted drivers. And it’s not just New York. In 2015 for instance the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration counted 3,477 lives lost to the distracted driver. Now it isn’t just texting and talking on the phone that defines distracted driving. Talking to others in the car, adjusting the radio, eating or drinking, and basically, anything that takes your mind off the task at hand can qualify.
All the campaigns in the world, however, don’t seem to have much effect on those who text, read, or indulge in distractions on the streets of New York. In fact, the distracted driver may be attentive to other drivers in front of them but be absolutely blind to bicycle riders and motorcyclists who are already at a size disadvantage.
The motor vehicle accident attorney in New York City can be counted on to find out what happened in an accident that injured you or a family member. Whether it was a distracted driver or a driver impaired by drugs or alcohol, serious injuries can occur due to the carelessness and negligence of other drivers and thus require the assistance of an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney.
