BY BETH FINKEL | Walking the streets of Manhattan is dangerous — and we’re not talking crime.
Pedestrians accounted for two of every three traffic fatalities in the borough from 2003 to 2012, highest in the state and well above the national average of less than one in eight.
And the older the pedestrian, the more dangerous our streets are.
While New Yorkers 65 and above make up 13 percent of the state’s population, seniors accounted for one third of pedestrian fatalities from 2003-2010. Older pedestrians died at a rate of 4.9 per 100,000 New York residents, more than three times the rate of 1.5 for younger residents.
Add up all the numbers and New York is the third most dangerous state for senior pedestrians in the nation. Not surprisingly, over half of New York City voters 50 and older surveyed by AARP called traffic lights that are timed too fast for safe crossing a problem.
Senator Charles Schumer and Representative Jerry Nadler can do something about what is clearly a threat to the residents of Manhattan. As members of a conference committee reconciling the House and Senate versions of the federal transportation bill, they should ensure that the strong pedestrian safety measures included in the Senate measure remain in the final conference report with the House.
Both versions move in the right direction — and neither requires additional federal funding.
The House requires the federal secretary of transportation to “encourage” states to adopt design standards that take into account all users of roads and requires a report by the secretary identifying best practices.
Encouraging states is good, but it doesn’t go far enough. The Senate requires the transportation secretary to establish design standards for the safe accommodation of all users through all phases of project planning, development, and operation. It provides a waiver for states — including New York — that already have a policy in place or a law on the books to provide for safe and adequate accommodation for all users, ensuring those states receive additional federal resources to implement their policies while making all states safer for pedestrians. And it requires state transportation departments to report on implementation and determine compliance.
The Senate’s Safe Streets provision has the backing of the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals, the Alliance for Biking and Walking, and the group America Walks, along with the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the American Planning Association, and others.
The population of Manhattan, New York, and the nation is aging. People are living longer, and the Baby Boom generation is moving into retirement.
As people age, they become more susceptible to dangerous roads; in 2013, the 50-plus accounted for 33.7 percent of the nation’s population but 45 percent of pedestrian fatalities. And from 2009 to 2013, pedestrian fatalities grew by 16 percent while overall traffic fatalities actually declined.
As we age, we are looking for safe communities where we can remain close to our families. The ability to walk safely to shop, visit a park, attend an event, medical appointment, or cultural or religious institution, see friends and family, or simply get exercise is becoming more and more important.
Research shows that well-designed sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, and other features to accommodate all modes of travel can significantly reduce injuries, deaths, and automobile crashes. Additionally, safe, convenient, and efficient transportation infrastructure enhances the quality of communities, supports property values, and mitigates the effects of traffic congestion.
As the shortest day of the year approaches and darkness falls before evening rush hour — and as Americans embrace more transportation choices — we’re reminded of just how important safe streets are.
That’s why we need Senator Schumer and Representative Nadler to make sure federal law keeps pace with our needs.
Beth Finkel is state director of AARP in New York State and a resident of Manhattan.
