Monday, July 20, 2015

No left turn GPS option could improve road safety


From CBS New York:

Many people turn to Google for answers, and now two New York City Council members say the technology giant has the answer to making city streets safer.

As CBS2’s Tracee Carrasco reported, members Brad Lander (D-39th) and Ydanis Rodriguez (D-10th) have asked Google maps to include an option for drivers to select a route with reduced left hand turns.

The councilmen believe the request falls in line with the city’s Vision Zero plan to reduce the number of deaths on city streets.

According to the NYPD, so far this year there have been 62 pedestrian fatalities, and 5 bicyclist fatalities. The Department of Transportation’s stats show that approximately 10 percent of all pedestrian fatalities in the last 18 months involve left turns.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

How about slowing down and looking as you make turns?

Directing a software developer at Google to do something is another example of looking for a public policy solution to EVERYTHING, and especially a problem that involves personal responsibility.

Jackson Heights Johnny said...

This might work for those who want do so voluntarily, but FORCING people who don't want to to make three right turns instead of one left WILL make those people speed up to make up for "lost time", and may in effect cause more accidents and/or pedestrian/bike fatalities....

Anonymous said...

How's about pedestrians assume some responsibility for their actions and watch WHERE THEY'RE GOING! Get your head out of your phone and be aware of your surroundings. It's not always the drivers fault...

Anonymous said...

re: 3 Unless it's one of those rare intersections with a green arrow for turns and a red signal for pedestrians, a pedestrian crossing a street at a green TL or stop sign while a car is turning, the pedestrian always has the right of way. It is always the drivers fault in that case, regardless of the level of distraction of the pedestrian. Always the drivers fault.

Anonymous said...

a lot of these people run people over in a hurry to make a left just to make it to the red light a hundred feet down the road five seconds faster. it's almost always red when you make a left or right turn

Anonymous said...

"It's not always the drivers fault..."
Speeding and distracted driving are to blame most of the time. Legally, pedestrians have the right-of-way at controlled intersections and in marked crosswalks.

Anonymous said...

Google Maps should also remind truckers not to use Parkways.

Anonymous said...

Ridiculous.

Anonymous said...

this city shouldnt make a left turn

Anonymous said...

This isn't a bad idea. It doesn't oblige people to anything, and if it happens, the cost will be borne by Google's deep pockets.

I just hope no politician gets it into their head that to make New Jersey style "no left turn" laws. Traffic is snarled up enough as it is.

Anonymous said...

Jesus christ why are these assholes trying to make NYC into Jersey?

Anonymous said...

What a great idea, have more morons paying attention to their phone instead of where they are driving. Yeah that's the ticket.

Anonymous said...

Ironic that the Council already made a left turn and now they want to stop people from making them.