Staten Island saw over 230 pedestrian injuries last year, the highest in seven years, prompting a call for safety awareness. Richmond County officials point to a concerning trend dubbed 'pedestrian error,' where walkers are distracted by phones or cross streets unsafely, leading to accidents. Assistant District Attorney Mark Palladino highlighted the visibility issues this creates for drivers. He noted that a significant portion of injury-causing crashes stemmed from driver inattention, primarily linked to cellphone use, underscoring the urgent need for both pedestrian awareness and responsible driving.
Palladino emphasized the urgent need for pedestrians to remain vigilant, noting that many injuries stem from crossing streets while distracted by their phones or unexpected mid-block crossings.
'You can’t even see the pedestrian until the last second,' Palladino remarked, highlighting that it often becomes a last-moment realization for drivers.
'Those are the most frustrating (collisions) for us, because that's avoidable,' said Palladino, addressing how pedestrian safety errors can lead to tragic outcomes.
Driver inattention accounted for a third of injuries in 2024, largely due to cellphone distractions, underscoring the need for greater awareness among pedestrians.
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