Large trucks on crowded city streets are a recipe for trouble. Blind spots in such large vehicles often result in tragic pedestrian fatalities, such as the death of four-year-old Moses Englender, who was riding his tricycle in Brooklyn when a truck hit him. On July 18, 2011 Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law aimed at reducing truck-pedestrian accidents in New York by requiring trucks to have special mirrors designed to eliminate blind spots.
Pedestrian Accident Rates
Statistics show that pedestrian-vehicle accidents are a serious problem in the U.S. In 2009, there were 59,000 pedestrian injuries and 4,092 pedestrian deaths from motor vehicles, according data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Seventy-two percent of those accidents occurred in urban settings. In New York City alone, people driving trucks injured 2,732 pedestrians and killed 161 between 1999 and 2008.
Details of the New Law
In response to the number of truck-pedestrian accidents in the city, New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg asked the New York legislature to draft legislation requiring trucks to have special mirrors. The legislature responded by passing a law requiring any truck registered in New York with a conventional cab arrangement and a maximum gross weight of 26,000 pounds or more to have "crossover" mirrors.
These mirrors allow drivers to see anyone over three feet tall who is at least a foot in front of the cab. The mirrors eliminate the large and dangerous blind spot right in front of the truck - the danger zone for pedestrian crossing in front of the truck at intersections. NHTSA figures show that 71 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur from impact directly in front of the truck.
Lawmakers see the new legislation as a cost-effective and simple way to reduce the problem of truck-pedestrian accidents. The mirrors cost between $10 and $29 each.
Risks That Remain
Requiring better mirrors on trucks is one step in helping to reduce truck-pedestrian accidents. But trucks still pose a significant risk to pedestrians. If you have been injured by a truck, do not hesitate to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can discuss your situation with you and advise you on your options.
