The attorneys at Block O’Toole & Murphy continue to follow the implementation of Mayor DeBlasio’s ambitious ‘Vision Zero’ plan that seeks to reduce car accidents, injuries and deaths. The roll out of the plan continues this week as the New York City Police Department got into the act, handling out a massive number of tickets to speeding drivers.
What is “Vision Zero’? It is the newly elected mayor’s plan to eliminate traffic fatalities in New York City within ten years. Why do we characterize the plan as ambitious? Well there were more than 51 fatalities in New York City during the first three months of 2014. There were also well over 200 fatalities in both 2012 and 2013. To reduce the number of traffic fatalities to zero is not a modest goal. Nevertheless, ambition is not usually a bad trait, particularly when the goals include safety and saving lives.
What should you look for as this plan continues to roll out? There will be increased speed cameras throughout the city, more stringent enforcement of moving violations, reduced speeding limits, speed bumps and improved street designs. There is also discussion of increased pedestrian zoned areas, similar to some of the innovations developed during Mayor Bloomberg’s administration. Lastly, the administration will air several public service commercials hoping to increase awareness about traffic and road safety concerns. Each of these, in theory, will have a positive impact on the frequency of serious traffic collisions and the number of traffic fatalities.
An article in the New York Post pinpoints just how serious the administration is about ‘Vision Zero.’ More than 4500 tickets were issued to alleged speeders in just a two day period. That amount of speeding tickets in just a 2 day period is more than half of the tickets handed out during the entire month of April this year. That is not a mere blip. Rather, it is a determined effort to get drivers to slow down. It may rattle some cages but the goals here are to reduce accidents and, in turn, prevent as many serious injuries and fatalities as possible.
Serious motor vehicle crashes, such as car accidents, truck accidents or bus rashes, can dramatically alter the lives of those involved. It can also change the fabric of an entire family because caring for someone with a serious injury or coping with the loss of a loved one can be crippling, emotionally, financially and physically. Serious collisions can be devastating and people need the right professional help and support when they are forced to deal with a traumatic turn in their lives like this.
The trial attorneys at Block O’Toole & Murphy have seen what a significant collision can do to a victim and their loved ones. They have been proud to stand up for collision victims for more than two decades. Their work has been recognized throughout the state, as the lawyers have received numerous accolades acknowledging their accomplishments, including the largest number of reported 7 figure results in New York State for 2012 and 2013. They have amassed more than $750,000,000 in verdicts and settlements on behalf of their clients, including a $32,756,156 verdict and a $22,500,000 settlement for serious collision victims. To learn more about the firm, please take a look at the Block O’Toole & Murphy website at www.blockotoole.com. For a free consultation, you may contact them at 212-736-5300.