Most people have heard of distracted driving and the dangers of texting while operating a vehicle. However, what about distracted walking? A recent CBS News New York report discusses the efforts made by law enforcement in Fort Lee, New Jersey, to reduce the number of pedestrian accidents caused by people who text while crossing the street or enter a crosswalk without looking up from the keypad.
Distracted Walking? Something Else to Worry About on the Streets of NYC
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Are Hybrid Cars Too Quiet?
Drivers who have rejoiced at the environmental benefits of electric cars and hybrids may want to reconsider. It turns out that electric cars are so quiet that they have created a new hazard - pedestrians and bicycle riders can't hear them. The result: A growing number of bicycle and pedestrian accidents caused by the lack of engine noise characteristic of electric and hybrid cars.
How safe are New York's roadways?
Are winding, narrow roads in New York City a sign of fatal car accidents yet to come? According to safety statistics, maybe not. In 2011, New York City had fewer car accident fatalities than any other year this century. Yet, as devastating car accidents continue to happen, debates regarding the safety of New York's roads continue.
While groups such as the American Automobile Association are crying out for changes to the roadways, national statistics say New York is not all bad. In 2011, there were 243 deaths caused by car accidents, and all but 82 of those were pedestrians killed by motor vehicles. Those kinds of numbers show that New York City actually touts a much lower death rate than other cities and suburbs, but these are not the only significant numbers.
It is National Stroke Awareness Month in New York
May is National Stroke Awareness Month, meaning that it is time for everyone in New York to learn about the risk factors, warning signs and potential effects of a stroke. When it comes to a stroke, delaying treatment for mere moments can be the difference between recovery and permanent disability. Prevent failed or late diagnosis: take the time this May to learn the risks.
Strokes are caused when the brain does not receive enough oxygen. It is important to recognize early signs of strokes quickly to ensure that you receive immediate treatment. The warning signs include headaches, blurry vision, numbness, dizziness or trouble balancing. If you believe you are having a stroke, seek immediate medical treatment.
Subway fires -- shocking but common
Considering the volume of passengers it carries, the New York City subway system is remarkably safe. However, subway accidents do happen all too frequently, and while many are the result of negligence and could be prevented, others just come out of the blue.
Must wheelchair users take to the street?
Legally, a wheelchair user in New York state is a pedestrian. Therefore, the portion of the law that says that a pedestrian must use the sidewalk when available applies to wheelchair users as well. Whether or not the wheelchair is motorized does not matter, in terms of the law. However, if the sidewalk is in poor repair, does not have useable curb cuts or is blocked by construction activity, wheelchair users must take to the street and risk an accident with a car, taxi or other motor vehicle.
Malpractice awards -- by the numbers
Did you know that New York had the highest dollar amount of medical malpractice awards? New York paid out nearly $678 million, while Alaska paid out one percent of that amount - a little more than six million dollars. The other big payout states range from $215 million to $319 million (California and Pennsylvania). The six states at the top of the list represented 51.4 percent of the total paid out.
Multi-car crash near Times Square sends people running
It was like an old slapstick comedy - except that people were terrified and injured. The multi-vehicle accident near Times Square , on 42nd Street near Bryant Park, sent numerous people to the hospital and injured several more after a car flipped onto the sidewalk, scattering pedestrians, some of whom were tourists taking in the sights. Several vehicles were involved in the car accident, including a yellow cab. Both passengers and pedestrians were injured.
Translators Proven to Reduce Medical Errors
A recent study suggests that staffing emergency rooms with professional translators may reduce emergency room errors. The study was conducted at two pediatric emergency rooms in Massachusetts, but the findings can apply to New York City and anywhere else there is a substantial population of non-English speaking patients. There are at least 25 million Americans who say that they speak or understand English less than "very well."
City Council Proposes Licensing Requirements for Elevator Technicians
After what seems to be an epidemic of elevator accidents in New York City, the City Council has proposed licensing requirements for New York City elevator technicians. Peter F. Vallone, Jr., a councilman from Astoria, observed, ""We need to license people who work on equipment that literally holds your life." Mr. Vallone is a co-sponsor of the legislation.
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