Community Corner
Precinct: Beware Rise in Pedestrian Auto Accidents
Spike in residents struck by cars in recent weeks.
Heidi Chain is the president of the 112 Precinct Community Council, a community group that acts as liaison between local police and Forest Hills/Rego Park.
The 112th precinct advises that there is a dramatic increase in accidents involving pedestrians and cars.
To all drivers, parents and pedestrians – PLEASE BE CAREFUL! We do not want anyone else injured in our community by preventable accidents.
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When you are driving – please do not text and drive. Distracted driving is accounting for many accidents in our community. When the light changes to green – LOOK before you go. There may be a senior citizen who is still in the intersection and ignoring the light. You do not want to hit them!
When you are driving and stopped at a stop sign – make sure that there are no pedestrianswho are just walking without looking.
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When you are walking be sure to look both ways before you cross the street. Look left, right and left again before crossing. Cross when the street is clear. If you are crossing atan intersection with a stop sign – watch to make sure the car has stopped. Then only go when you are sure that it is safe.
Pedestrians in our community have been hit when theywere not careful at stop signs. Everyone must understand and obey traffic signals and signs. Cross at the corners, using the crosswalks when available. DO NOT WALK across the street from between parked cars. The drivers may not see you.
When you have the light – make sure that the cars have in fact stopped. Do not assumethat because you have the light – it is safe for you to cross.
When you are walking on a street with driveways – make sure to be very careful to look for the cars backing up. They may not see you.
Drivers backing out of a driveway should be very careful of pedestrians. For parentswith young children be very careful backing out of driveways. There have been awful tragedies with young children playing in a driveway and not seen by the driver. Children are often out of sight lines.
When walking near a gas station, be very careful that you are aware of your surroundings.Drivers must be very careful regarding the pedestrians. People have been injured, and these are preventable accidents.