Injuries and deaths caused by traffic crashes are not random and are not accidents.
In the U.S., pedestrian fatalities have skyrocketed, increasing by 45% from 2010-2019. This map shows that in Monroe County, 5,498 crashes from 2012-2021 involved bicyclists and pedestrians (4,466 resulted in injury or fatality). On average, ten people die on our local streets every year as a result of these crashes. We must do better. In NYS, the top two driver contributing factors in pedestrian crashes are driver inattention and failure to yield right of way.
Traffic crashes are predictable and can be avoided by recognizing risk factors and adjusting driving, walking, and bicycling behaviors accordingly.
NOTE: Larger icons indicate a collision resulting in at least one fatality.
Data show that more crashes happen during the evening commute than any other time of day, followed by the morning commute and lunch hour.
In the warmer months there are more pedestrians and bicyclists sharing our roads. With so many biking infrastructure improvements, like new bike lanes and bike-sharing programs, more Monroe County residents are choosing bicycling for transportation. In fact, local bike-sharing participants road an impressive 109,391 miles in just six months.
In the winter, pedestrians, people using wheelchairs or other mobility devices, and caregivers using strollers are often forced to walk in the street when sidewalks are unplowed or icy, creating potentially hazardous situations all over our city.
Whether people make the choice to walk or bike or have no alternative, everyone deserves to travel safely to their destination.
Is Distracted Driving an Issue?
Yes. Taking your eyes off of the road for even a second can cause harm to pedestrians, bicyclists, and even other drivers. There are three main types of distracted driving.
Visual. This is when you take your eyes off the road.
Manual. This is when you take your hands off the wheel.
Cognitive. This is when you take your mind off of driving.
Here are some examples of activities that exhibit these behaviors:
Sending a text
Talking on your phone
Using a navigation system
Using social media
Reading an email
Eating
Texting is the most dangerous activity to do while driving because it exhibits al three of the main types of distracted driving. In fact, At 55mph, sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for about 5 seconds, which is long enough to cover an entire football field. Drivers have the power to stop this phenomenon and save a life.
Are drivers always at fault?
Of course not. There are pedestrians and bicyclists who don’t follow the rules and put themselves, and others, in harm’s way. But drivers have the most power. Chances are slim that a pedestrian or bicyclist running into a motor vehicle causes a driver or passenger injury or death. Conversely, the data show a driver crashing into a pedestrian or bicyclist has a high probability of injuring or killing them, depending on vehicle speed. In fact, if struck by a vehicle travelling at 40mph, only 1 in 10 pedestrians will survive a crash, but if struck at 20mph, 9 out of 10 will survive.
Survey says…
Local research reveals the truth:
“90% of Monroe County residents agree that drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians should all feel safe while using our roads. However, fewer than 25% feel cyclists and pedestrians are very safe on our streets.”
“More than 25% of Monroe County drivers admit to turning right on red without coming to a complete stop.”
“More than half of Monroe County drivers admit they frequently exceed the speed limit.”
Where do bikes belong?
In Monroe County, fewer than 30% of drivers consider themselves “very familiar” with bicycle and pedestrian laws.
For instance, it’s a common misconception that bicyclists are not allowed in the road. When they share the road, NYS law mandates bicycles ride in a usable bicycle lane or near the right-hand curb or edge of the road, and in the direction of motor vehicle travel.