In New York, the law provides extensive regulations for both drivers, pedestrians, and bicycles alike. Typically, pedestrians are going to have the right of way if they are in a crosswalk, even if they are crossing against the light. The only time that a pedestrian does not have the right of way is if they are acting recklessly or step into the roadway without giving a driver enough time to stop. For a motorist, a failure to yield to a pedestrian ticket will result in 3 points on their driver’s license and a fine. In New York’s point system, drivers are only allowed to accumulate 10 points within an 18-month period.
NYC Streets Blog reports on a truck driver who only got minor citations for striking and killing a woman in Sunset Park.
67-year-old Xiang Chen was arrested by police when he struck 72-year-old Youfeng Xu as she crossed Seventh Avenue in Sunset Park on April 27th. Xu was crossing with the light.
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Chen was turning onto Seventh Avenue from 55th Street when he struck Xu. Xu was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to her injuries three days after the accident. Chen remained on the scene and police took him into custody. The arrest was reported by police on May 3rd, stating that the investigation was ongoing.
Chen was charged with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care. Neither charge carries any significant jail time.
Since 2017, 504 pedestrians have been injured in accidents in Sunset Park, making it one of the most dangerous areas of the city for pedestrians. Three pedestrians were killed.
According to NYPD statistics, crashes are on the rise citywide, with a 30% increase over the same time period last year.
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