As winter approaches, there is less daylight and the possibility of more traffic accidents.
That is why for the seventh year, the Department of Transportation leads the “Dusk and Darkness” or “Sunset and Darkness” campaign that seeks to promote road safety.
“We want to let drivers know that this is the time when a lot of accidents happen because there is less visibility. Therefore, the educational part that we are doing (with) the drivers is one, we slow down, we protect pedestrians and cyclists, “said Transport Commissioner Ydanis Rodríguez.
The campaign involves an investment of 2.5 million dollars and is carried out to save lives.
The police will expand their surveillance during the night and early morning, ensuring compliance with the traffic regulations on city roads.
In addition, the speed cameras will be active 24/7.
Sunday 6th November is daylight saving time, so the clock must be set back one hour. It is historically the most dangerous time of the year for both pedestrians and cyclists.
“Motorists should drive their vehicles responsibly every time they get behind the wheel, but as our days get shorter, they have a greater responsibility to drive carefully to keep their fellow New Yorkers safe, especially at night.” Commissioner Rodríguez also pointed out in a message on social networks.
“Motorists must drive their vehicles responsibly every time they get behind the wheel, but as our days get shorter, they have a greater responsibility to drive carefully to keep their fellow New Yorkers safe, especially in the evenings.” – Commander Rodriguez pic.twitter.com/bGkkscX3Ho
– NYC DOT (@NYC_DOT) November 3, 2022
“The same minority involved in the accidents, the vast majority are drivers who drove or drive with a suspended license, who are drunk, who drive at high speed, who run with a red light or a ‘stop sign’ added the commissioner.
According to official city data, 206 people have lost their lives in road accidents so far in 2022. That’s 18 fewer cases than last year, however, that’s a 27% increase from 162 road accident deaths in 2018.
The main recommendation for drivers is to drive very carefully, respecting the speed limits and paying particular attention to curves and stop signs.
“Mainly controlling when you turn left or blind spots to the right and slow down because, as I’m telling you, people are very aggressive. They have to slow down, “said driver Andrea Lebrón.
“Never go in a hurry and if you intend to leave, leave earlier than usual,” advised driver Juan Hernández.
“When we go to the intersection, we have to look up and down to see, because we have to take care of ourselves too,” said Ana Gisela Fernández, a neighbor.
