On the same day a short news documentary was released about the intersection of 96th street and Broadway, another pedestrian was hit there.
A woman was hit while crossing the street at 96th and Broadway just after 8 a.m. on Thursday, apparently by an NBC van, according to Gothamist and DNAinfo. Gothamist has images of the scene.
One witness said the woman was conscious after the crash: “‘She was lying on the ground in the middle of the street but she was conscious,’ said Edward Murphy, a concierge at a nearby building who saw the aftermath of the accident.”
It’s not clear if the pedestrian had the right of way.
The documentary below, by Sam Rega at Business Insider, offers a look at how the city is addressing the problems at that intersection, where two people were killed this year. We’ve covered this extensively, but the 6-minute film helps illustrate certain issues.
The politicians quoted in the piece say that the Department of Transportation previously dragged its feet on upgrading the intersection, but we’ve heard from several locals that the Community Board also wasn’t proactive enough despite years of warnings.
I will guarantee the pedestrian did not have the light… I try to avoid driving on Broadway for that intersection, but sometimes I must… Without fail a person crosses against their light after the light for the cars turns red. Like most people they don’t realize there is a left turn signal and they can’t cross yet.. I invite anyone to stand on corner and watch, without fail, somebody crossing in front of the car.. So politicians, you can wait to a few more people get hit and do something, or you can put up a sign warning pedestrians not to cross because of the turn signal (or have the turn arrow first, so when the light turns red all cars have the red light)
You are exactly right about that light. One time I had to sit through 2 left arrow lights because there were hordes of pedestrians jaywalking in front of my car. Even laying on the horn did nothing. That’s not to say I think pedestrians are at fault in all these accidents. In this city, if you’re not driving as if someone could walk out in front of your car at any time, you’re driving recklessly.
I don’t know if this particular person had the light or not, but it’s true that people cross against it because they forget about the turn. Just a few days ago I was waiting to cross and watched a woman dart across the street and have a near-miss with a car. As she jumped out of the way, she shouted something like, “Oh, the turn! I forgot about the turn!”
I agree with dave and RF, with one note: Those pedestrians did not ‘forget the turn’, they crossed against the light, plain and simple (and stupid).
I also always see people jaywalking on 96th (between Broadway and WEA and also on 96th between Amsterdam and Broadway). It boggles my mind. People don’t realize that some cars have limited visibility and if they’re wearing all black when it’s dark or dusky, it is VERY hard for cars to see them. When I drive on 96th, I’m ultra ultra cautious and always drive very slowly cause inevitably somebody’s gonna jaywalk.
This intersection has been vastly improved! It is very safe to cross now but I still see people going against the Do Not Walk signs!
I’ve noticed that the narrower they make the car lanes the more people seem to jaywalk — as the gap gets smaller it’s almost too tempting!
When are there going to be consequences for pedestrians crossing while looking at their phones and not looking up? People are distracted and the drivers are the only group having to make changes!
NYC has become a city for cars, not for people…very ugly out there…air pollution, noise pollution, danger at every step, road rage, etc….
@dave People always rush to cross to or from the subway, especially at the SE corner of Bway and 96th. I’m sure they’re regulars but they act completely unaware of the delayed walk light, whether or not traffic is coming. We need big, unambiguous signs, as blunt as “don’t even THINK of parking here,” to remind pedestrians to wait.
you never had this problem until they reconfigured the 96th st subway station
I just made the same comment and didn’t see yours. I completely agree. I understand that they made the new terminal to accommodate the traffic that goes in and out of the station, but it clearly changed traffic patterns in a negative way and likely changed pedestrians behavior in a negative way. What I mean by the former is that, now, as opposed to six years ago, people have to cross half of Broadway to get to the station. If you miss the light, that can significantly affect your commute/travel time.
I am grateful to live on 92nd street where I can get into the station via the 93rd street entrance and don’t have to worry about crossing Broadway, ever.
Just today, a pedestrian with two dogs crossed when she didn’t have the light and almost got hit. Her excuse is that she has the right of way even with a red light. Even flipped the bird to the driver. Pedestrians need to take some responsibility just like drivers.
Anyone consider that some of these problems started when the 96th St Subway entrance moved to the middle of Broadway? Was any of this taken into consideration when the new terminal was built? Granted, the accidents that occurred on West End Avenue were not related, but what about some of the other ones?
Let’s get something straight. Cooper Stock was killed not because an area was “neglected” or because traffic regs weren’t being enforced. He was killed by a poorly trained idiot who failed to yield. Period!
I have sent the following to the Dept. of Transportation & the Borough President’s office:
May I suggest the solution to the pedestrian accidents at this intersection is to REMOVE the pedestrian crossing 96 Street (in front of the subway entrance) and allow L and R hand turns from Broadway both directions simultaneous with the other thru-lights? The issue is that pedestrians do not understand that once the thru cars proceed, then the turning cars have their own light. The system is too confusing, especially for people in a rush!!!!
one sentence in the above story says it all: “It’s not clear if the pedestrian had the right of way.”
Unless crossing against a red light, the pedestrian ALWAYS has the right of way! Check it out:
NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law – Article 27 –
http://www.safeny.ny.gov/peds-vt.htm
I love how almost every comment is a “blame the pedestrians” one. Come on people. Pedestrians might act stupidly at times, but they aren’t driving around 2 ton vehicles that KILL. And, I love that not one person commented on the fact that the Community Board is culpable for each and every crash in our district. They know where the problems exist, and they know the solutions. They don’t have the leadership to get it done. Or worse. Get Zweig and Albert out and you might have a chance at a safe district. Otherwise, just keep blaming the victims.
I agree with Lisa. It amazes me that every time a pedestrian is hit, a slew of you automatically blame the pedestrian without even knowing the facts. Drivers: SLOW DOWN. Stop running the light at that intersection. Keep your eyes open for pedestrians that always have the right of way. And maybe the turns should be banned if they are so dangerous and confusing for pedestrians. I think it makes you all feel safer to distance yourselves from the genuine threat that faces us all every day in this car-centric city we live in by telling yourselves you would never cross against the light so it won’t happen to you. You are wrong. Cooper Stock and many others senselessly killed in our streets every day were crossing with the light. Why do you worship the car????