A new law will require all trucks over 26,000 pounds registered in the state of New York to have convex mirrors installed on their hoods.
The new requirement comes at the end of a long discussion on pedestrian safety in New York City, for which New York City pedestrian injury attorneys, safety groups and Mayor Michael Bloomberg have been advocates "for years." The discussion became more urgent after a four year old was struck and killed in a Brooklyn delivery truck accident in May.
Between 1994 and 2003, over 4,500 pedestrians were injured and 204 were killed by big trucks in New York City. Seventy-one percent of those killed were in front of the truck at the time of the truck and pedestrian accident. Drivers of trucks over 26,000 pounds are not able to see directly in front of their vehicles, making it a particularly dangerous place for pedestrians.
Convex Mirrors: A Step in the Right Direction
Now, large trucks are required to be fitted with convex mirrors that sit on the front edge of the truck's hood. The mirror is angled so the driver can see directly in front of the vehicle. Although the mirrors are a vast improvement over no visibility, some safety groups say they do not go far enough to protect pedestrians, since the efficacy of the mirrors is greatly reduced when the truck is in motion.
Another complicating factor is that the new law only affects those trucks registered in the state of New York. Due to its location, New York City is filled with trucks registered in neighboring New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and the new law does not affect these trucks, so many vehicles that pedestrians encounter will not be fitted with the convex mirrors.
Although there are some issues with the new law, its intent is to keep pedestrians safe, and fitting mirrors on at least some of the trucks registered in New York will hopefully reduce pedestrian injury and death in New York City, as well as cities across the state.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a pedestrian and truck accident in New York City, you may be able to bring a lawsuit to recover compensation for your injuries. Contact a New York City pedestrian and truck accident lawyer to learn more.
