Carnage

What Do We Do Now?

Yesterday's horrific crash in Chinatown has us groping for answers. Why were there no bollards or other design elements to protect pedestrians on such a crowded street? Why did the driver have to double park to do his business? How could he be so careless as to leave his van running and in reverse? How can two more innocent people -- preschoolers -- die such violent deaths, and no one is held accountable? Would this have happened if our legal system weren't so cavalier about loss of pedestrian life and limb?

By Brad Aaron

11:10 AM EST on January 23, 2009

Photo: Hermann/New York Daily News

Yesterday’s horrific crash in Chinatown has us groping for answers. Why were there no bollards or other design elements to protect pedestrians on such a crowded street? Why did the driver have to double park to do his business? How could he be so careless as to leave his van running and in reverse? How can two more innocent people — preschoolers — die such violent deaths, and no one is held accountable? Would this have happened if our legal system weren’t so cavalier about loss of pedestrian life and limb?

And where are our city leaders today? Please correct us if we’re wrong, but other than Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, we have seen no word from electeds on this senseless tragedy, or on what can and should be done to prevent the next one. How can an issue like parking grace periods earn so much attention from public officials while kids’ bodies under bloody tarps fail to elicit a press release?

Where are you Mayor Bloomberg? John Liu? Alan Gerson? New Yorkers are dying out here.

Brad Aaron

Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York's dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.

Carnage | Street Safety | Traffic Justice

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