New York Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
2007 continued a trend of numerous New York car accidents on suburban New York roadways dominated by aggressive, inattentive drivers causing numerous car accidents and fatalities. According to Captain John Hodges of the Westchester County Police, the main causes of these New York car crashes and auto deaths are: speeding, driving while intoxicated, following too closely, taking curves too fast and weaving in and out of traffic.
New York car accidents are also being caused by inattentive drivers who are speaking on cell phones, adjusting their global positioning devices, and listening to their IPods with earphones. Additionally, a new and shocking trend that has been observed by motorists and police patrols alike is young drivers text messaging while driving!
Fatal accidents in New York rose from 2005 to 2006 in the counties of Westchester, Rockland and Putnam. Statistics are not yet available for 2007. DWI arrests on Westchester County roadways increased from 470 to 494 in 2007 due to more aggressive enforcement, according to Capt. Hodges.
The increased emphasis on curbing aggressive driving by local law enforcement has resulted in 21,000 summons being issued by the Westchester County Police in 2007, a 12% increase from 2006. State police on the Sprain Brook and Taconic Parkways also issued 12.5 % more summonses this year than in 2006.
The police agencies involved in the stepped up effort to curb aggressive driving all agree that shrugging off road rage and aggressive behavior by other motorists, keeping a safe distance from other vehicles, putting away the cell phones and IPods, and paying attention to road conditions are critical in avoiding auto accidents.