Photo by Chris Barbalis on Unsplash
Growing up in New York City may be fun and exciting. Currently, there are 1,050,649 students enrolled in New York City public schools and 57,005 students enrolled in NYC private schools.
Although a student may feel like they are just one of 1,107,654 students who sit in a New York City classroom they mean so much more.
Outside of the classroom, students laugh and play and should not be worried about crossing the street safely.
During the morning hour of 8 am, the typical time when students are entering school and preparing for their day, there are 57% more crashes and 25% more injuries in street schools than in other city streets.
Drivers have killed at least 24i children going to or leaving schools on foot or on a bike in New York City in the past decade.
Children and students are taught to look both ways before crossing the street or not to cross when the light is green, but these rules can only do so much.
What Has The City Done About The Level Of School-Zone Accidents?
Currently, there are at least one-speed cameras in the 750 school speed zones. However, these speed cameras are only a quarter of a mile away from a school.
Chapter 30 of the Laws of 2019 expanded the number of school speed zones as well as their hours of operation.
Before the expansion, the speed cameras were in effect one hour, before, after, and during school hours.
Now, the speed cameras operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.iii on school days, and if caught have a fine of $50.
However, the expansion of speed cameras by the NYC DOT has proven to be effective as speeding at fixed camera locations has dropped by an average 72%.
Specifically, during hours of the speed cameras operations, there has been changing in the number of crashes and injuries in a school zone.
Three years before the installation of the speed camera, there were 1,006 crashes with injuries, and a full year after the rate decreased to 933.
Although 933 is still an unacceptable number, there is positive progress toward protecting our children.
Speeding a school zone can result in a large monetary fine. Speeding more than 10 mph in a school zone can result in a ticket between $90-$600.
In 2021, New York City spent more than $43 million to employ 2,600 school crossing guardsi. Crossing guards help direct traffic and enforce to students when they can and cannot walk.
Keeping Your Children Safe
The rate of vehicle accidents near school sites is significantly high.
Telling your children to be careful when crossing the street does not stop others from speeding down the regulated 15 mph to 25 mph road.
If you or your child has been a victim of a car crash in a school zone, please seek immediate medical attention.
Shalom Law, PLLC, Is Here To Help!
Next, call an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney. A rear-end collision may not be your fault. You will need an attorney on your side who knows how to best utilize your medical records to substantiate your claim for losses while also navigating around the evasive tactics of insurance companies. The attorneys at Shalom Law can do just that. We are prepared to fight hard for you to ensure your rights are protected, and you receive the maximum compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation: (718) 917-9474.
