NYMTC Regional Pedestrian Safety Study - New York Metropolitan ...

Drivers and pedestrians suffer from inattention. Drivers and pedestrians do not always see each
other, particularly in cases of cars turning. In suburban areas, making right turns on red makes it
even worse because the drivers are concentrating on watching for gaps in the vehicular traffic,
rather than on pedestrians. (Note that it is illegal to make a right turn on red in New York City
unless otherwise posted.) Cell phone use adds to inattention. Much recent research has looked at
the safety impact of drivers using cell phones; people at the public meetings and interviews have
commented on the number of pedestrians crossing streets while on cell phones or using personal
entertainment devices.
Many representatives of the organizations that were interviewed see lack of enforcement as
contributing to the problem. Unsafe behavior continues because the police do not enforce what
appear to be small infractions by pedestrians or motorists. Judges are reluctant to fine
pedestrians. More specific comments were made about lack of enforcement when cars are
turning left. Some comments indicate that traffic police are more concerned about mobility or
keeping vehicles moving than they are in pedestrian safety; they point to cases when police will
wave vehicles through red lights, in effect eliminating the pedestrian crossing opportunity.
Another example given of lack of enforcement was at construction sites, where the contractors
have closed sidewalks at mid block without providing a safe walkway. Lack of enforcement is
seen as a sign of a lack of political will and the low priority the issue is given.
Resistance to change, a common human trait, affects everyone involved in safety, including
drivers, walkers, police, engineers, planners, etc. This reluctance to change our behavior
contributes to the many safety problems continuing despite efforts to improve the situation. How
many of us jaywalk instead of walking to the crosswalk? Ride our bikes through traffic signals?
Drive too fast? Plan and design the way we always have? A conscious focus on safety by all
involved as the catalyst to change our own individual behavior seems to be another common
thread.
Pedestrians:
Typical statements were: Pedestrians walk where they want. Everyone is in a hurry; many
people are not willing to wait for walk signals; they jaywalk. ∗ There is a lack of respect for the
vehicles. Some pedestrians, particularly teenagers, challenge the rules. When pedestrian fences
are added to enforce safe pedestrian behavior, some pedestrians will climb over them rather than
modify their path. Pedestrians also cross the street against the “DON’T WALK” signal during
left turn phases for cars.
A related issue is lack of knowledge, particularly not knowing what the flashing “DON’T
WALK” (or flashing hand) means. Another area where further education is needed is informing
the public about what the actuated pedestrian signals do. Pedestrians who press them expect to
get a “WALK” signal immediately; when they don’t, they assume the signals do not work (which
is sometimes true), and therefore cross without the signal, often against the vehicle green or
during a left turn phase.
∗ “Jaywalking” is not defined in NYS Law; Section 1152 of the NYS V&T Code states that when crossing at
locations other than crosswalks, pedestrians must yield the right of way to all vehicles.
NYMTC Pedestrian Safety Study 36