These three crashes were caused by turning trucks and could have been prevented by simple street design measures that are in use at other locations throughout New York City. These measures include:

1. Provide pedestrians exclusive crossing time so that turning motorists have the red light while pedestrians have the walk signal. (example: Union Square NW- 17th and Broadway
   
2. Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI) or “pedestrian head starts” give pedestrians the signal before motorists, better establishing their presence in the crosswalk and making them more visible to turning motorists. (example: 23rd Street and Broadway, 23rd Street and 6th Ave).
   
3. Neckdowns -- sidewalk extensions at corners, force motorists to make slower, more accurate and safer turns (example: 29th Street and 8th Ave).
   
4. Raised crosswalks in which the pavement under crosswalks is elevated by 4 inches, again force motorists to slow down when navigating an intersection.
   
5. Bollards -- placing steel bollards at corners (pictured) or on two way street, placing plastic bollards where the double yellow line meets the crosswalk protect pedestrians while waiting on the sidewalk and force drivers to make safer turns (example: 12th Street and 7th Ave).
   

“Because they walk more slowly, and are often shorter and more difficult to see, the City must take steps to protect walking seniors and children. The City DOT must begin the routine installation of these five pedestrian safety measures at all intersections in New York City,” says Paul Steely White, executive director of Transportation Alternatives.

In 2006, a total of 170 pedestrians were killed on New York City streets, a 7% increase from 2005. These preventative measures could help reduce this number in 2007 and make the City a safer place for kids, seniors and all New Yorkers.