The city Department of Transportation and NYPD deployed "Vision Zero" street teams Friday in areas with high-crash histories in addition to an increased enforcement effort citywide by the police department. NY1's Vivian Lee filed the following report.
Members of a Vision Zero street team approached drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians Friday morning in Union Square.
The team is spreading the word about ways to avoid deadly accidents on city streets.
The team targeted a busy neighborhood, where everyone seems to be on the go and a little reckless.
Officials say this time of year brings a spike in traffic accidents because of Daylight Saving Time and holiday madness.
"It gets darker. New Yorkers get more busy. And that's why we're out there," said Kim Wyle-Schultz, assistant commissioner of the Department of Transportation.
The focus is on drivers.
"Slow it down. Watch for pedestrians. Don't be distracted when you drive," Wyle-Schultz said.
However, pedestrians and cyclists also play a part. The street team lays out the facts in pamphlets. "Nearly a third of pedestrians are hit when a car turns left," one leaflet reads. Another says, "Go with the flow of traffic."
The outreach Friday was especially timely. A dozen pedestrians have died in traffic accidents since October 31.
"I think there's a sense of invincibility, I think, for especially pedestrians. Headphones in their phone, concentrating, 'There's my bus, there's my cab, I got to get there, I got to get here,'" one New Yorker said. "And they're not using peripheral. They're not just paying attention to everything.
"Slow it down," one driver said.
"People ride their bikes as if they're cars and weave in and out of traffic, and if there's good bike lanes and they're not forced to do that, then it would help," said another New Yorker.
Some drivers say anyone who is not driving should not pick a fight with those who are.
"The city needs to enforce more to the pedestrian, because the pedestrian, they cross the light whenever they want. They don't respect the light," one driver said.
A citywide police crackdown on dangerous and distracted driving is underway. After the street team leaves, extra police will be deployed to Union Square to enforce traffic laws.