Can Crosswalks Increase the Odds of New York Pedestrian Accidents?

As summer break wraps up, children here in upstate New York are preparing to go back to school. For many, this time of year often leads to a focus on pedestrian safety.

Last year, officials in the town of Lockport, New York, took action to protect the safety of children as they walk to school by installing crosswalks and sidewalks near areas of high foot traffic. However, it seems as though the project may actually increase the chances of a New York pedestrian accident at one particular intersection.

The town of Lockport received a $342,000 federal grant to improve pedestrian pathways through the “Safer Routes To School” program. Officials used the money to install crosswalks and pedestrian crossing signs at the corner of Willow Street and Hi-Point Drive near Emmet Belknap Intermediate School. Unfortunately, there are no stop signs at the location.

Officials say this has led to confusion among drivers and pedestrians. According to The Buffalo News, cars are now stopping at the crossing, which is unnecessary and could lead to collisions. On the other hand, the configuration of the crossing has led many pedestrians to wrongly believe that cars will stop at the intersection—potentially resulting in a New York pedestrian accident.

Officials are now calling for the crosswalks at the intersection to be removed, but no official decision has been made yet.

At William Mattar Law Offices, we believe in the importance of protecting pedestrian safety, and our Buffalo personal injury lawyers are hopeful a resolution to this problem can be found soon.