Another Boerum Place Accident
This was the scene at Boerum Place and Atlantic Avenue early Tuesday evening. Back in 2008, The Daily News noted that 28 pedestrians were hit in the preceding decade at the corner of Boerum and Livingston, just a couple of blocks away, and more recently we ran photos of Atlantic being shut down after a…
This was the scene at Boerum Place and Atlantic Avenue early Tuesday evening. Back in 2008, The Daily News noted that 28 pedestrians were hit in the preceding decade at the corner of Boerum and Livingston, just a couple of blocks away, and more recently we ran photos of Atlantic being shut down after a motorcyclist was killed a couple of blocks to the east of this.
After reading all of the wishlists for better markings and more effective traffic planning I realized I must be living in a different city. The city I live in could have a cop on every corner and street markings even BETTER than in the “UK” and the animal drivers would still ignore the rules.
To me, as a daily commuting cyclist and occasional driver here, the aggressive driving is the single biggest quality of life issue I have. It is disgusting and made even more so by the apathetic approach to traffic law enforcement.
(And for those of you snarkily wondering: Yes, I do sometimes run red lights on my bike although I have never once caused a pedestrian to alter their path nor have I ever once made a car from the opposing direction wait for me. That being said, when I get cited I will take my lumps as they will be deserved.)
they need over head signs to warn people. If you wait until the marked lanes its too late anyway. Also it looks like the car was hit in the left rear panel and spun around….in any case I’ll wait for a report….
Better markings on the asphalt might help. In the UK, the lane directions are really aggressively painted. Combined with more street signs informing drivers in good time which lane they need to be in, it makes a big difference. Sometimes the UK signage feels like overkill to me but it’s much easier over there to be in the right place at the right time even when you don’t know the route. Some of the lane directions in Brooklyn are ridiculous and must cause accidents. GAP is better now but used to be a nightmare. And don’t even get me started on 278/BQE exits and entrances.
Chicken — because it’s easy to give tickets for strict liability problems like blocking the box, not so easy to ticket jerky jerks who are driving recklessly.
But yes, one wishes they would do both, or at least prioritize safety over traffic management.
I’ll sing my usual song. Without enforcement, lines, laws, lights — all ineffective. The city could make a mint off of issuing tickets at this intersection. Instead, they’re giving tickets for blocking the box at 3rd and Atlantic, by no means the most dangerous intersection on Atlantic between Court Street and 5th Avenue. WHAT GIVES??
Right. I think several people have already said it. There is NOTHING WRONG WITH THE INTERSECTION. The problem is the douche bags behind the wheel.
make it safer by removing obstacles(like streetlights/pedestrians) on sidewalks so cars don’t crash into them.
maybe he crashed the car to collect insurance money.
Pete, remember once, a long, long time ago I was talking about this stretch. You told me I was geographically challenged, and you were right — this stretch not near the house we were “discussing” but I was telling you about how many accidents there are on atlantic Ave between 4th Avenue/Flatbush intersection and Hoyt? Something averaging like 1 a day in 2009. It is astounding. Terrifying. I drive there but the chaos is really crazy. There should be a special effort by the DOT to analyze all the accidents that happen on that stretch (including the motorcycle and bike accidents) to see how that area can be made safer.