Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog
A recent Washington D.C. news article discusses how alleyways in Northeast D.C. are increasingly being used as commuter shortcuts. Local neighbors describe the issue as a crash waiting to happen. While traffic in the area is already bad, things have gotten worse in Brookland as local alleyways have become popular commuter routes to cut down drive times. Neighbors claim to avoid traffic on 12th Street, NE drivers are taking a detour at Varnum or Upshur Streets and cutting through their alley. The new traffic ranges from morning commuters to Amazon delivery trucks. One resident even saw a D.C. school bus cutting through the alleyway on their Ring doorbell camera. A resident described the traffic as “a continuous rotation of cars.” Another stated that it’s not about banning all traffic in the alley, but was worried that drivers were treating the alley like a main road, rarely respecting the 15 mile-per-hour speed limit.
According to D.C. Law, drivers traveling through alleyways are required to stop at the edge of the alley before reaching the sidewalk, allowing the driver to see if someone is crossing the alley on the sidewalk. Neighbors and local residents claim that drivers are not complying with those requirements. One neighbor stated that drivers only “stop at the street so they can see if a car is coming, but a lot of kids walk through here.” Another stated, “There’s a school and there are a lot of kids in the neighborhood. So, if a car stops out here and a kid happens to be running by – it could be quite tragic. So, it’s a constant worry of mine.”
Was 2022 a Bad Year for Traffic Fatalities?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released projections for traffic fatalities in 2022. The NHTSA projects that 31,785 people died in traffic crashes in the first nine months of 2022. This represents an increase from 2021 and an even greater increase from 2020. There are many different causes of traffic accidents, including aggressive driving, driving under the influence, tired drivers, poor weather conditions, and poorly maintained roadways. According to AAA, aggressive driving is a factor in 54% of all fatal automobile accidents. AAA reports that 78% of drivers reported committing at least one aggressive driving behavior in the past year, including tailgating, yelling, or hoking to show annoyance to another driver. Additionally, children are particularly susceptible to car accidents, as their smaller profile can be harder for drivers in large vehicles to see.
Have You Been a Victim of a Washington D.C. Car Accident?
If you or someone you love has been hurt or killed in a Washington D.C. car accident, contact the personal injury lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen to consult with an experienced attorney. The attorneys at our firm are ready to use their knowledge and compassion to help handle complex cases involving car accidents. Expenses and injuries sustained in an accident can quickly become overwhelming, and having an experienced roster of accident attorneys by your side can make a world of difference in the compensation you receive. Our dedicated team of lawyers helps clients better understand their rights and recover damages for their injuries and losses. Contact our office today to schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney at 1-800-654-1949.