New York Daily Photo Analytics

Friday, May 04, 2007

Yellow Fever

In 2005, there were 71,167 automobile accidents in NYC with 328 fatalities: 101 drivers killed, 46 passengers killed, 159 pedestrians killed and 21 bicyclists killed (and 1 "other"). 25-30% of accidents involve one vehicle striking objects, like that seen in the photo. I'm not sure what happened here but I would guess avoidance of a vehicle or pedestrian was likely. It appeared that no one was injured. There are 12,779 taxis in NYC and many are involved in accidents - unfortunately since business is involved, what is best for making money is not best for safety. Taxi fares are based primarily on distance (idle time meter charges are much less profitable than distance). So, the faster you get there, the more money you make. Add long hours, many inexperienced drivers, road rage and the picture is not good. The good news is that after huge increases in taxi and livery accidents in the 1990s, regulations became much stricter and rates have actually come down . Click here for a Taxicab Fact Book. Contrary to public perception, it is actually safer to ride in a taxicab than in other vehicles (crash rates per million passenger miles are less for taxis) - click here for article. It appears that at least for the time being, yellow fever has been contained ...

14 comments:

Kate said...

Brian, another stellar photo with good information!

Jilly said...

Goodnes, that's an impressive car wreck! Right between the eyes. Great photo.Glad no one was hurt.

Brian Dubé said...

kate, jilly;
thanks - it's interesting that the police in the photo are smiling.

Brian

Dina said...

Brian,

Unfortunalty you see cops smiling on murder scenes too..I guess they don't see much "good" things, so they have to keep there wits about them. Good shot, and very informative as usual. "GOOGLE BRIAN!" :)

Tara said...

Good shot! Were the silver poles placed there to prevent vehicles from striking the fireplug?

Ben Nakagawa said...

Ouch.
Well, you've got excellent scaen fro DP and you added very good information (thanks for that).

Steve Cuddihy said...

being in the right place and the right time....and having your camera along....priceless! Nice capture, unfortunate event.

lv2scpbk said...

What a crash. I visited New York once and felt the same way, that it is safer in a cab. You just never know.

Brian Dubé said...

tara - interesting question about the silver poles. I will find out.

thanks everyone - I bring my camera paractically everywhere now that the weather is warmer, so inevitably I will catch things like this.

Brian

Gerald (SK14) said...

my son was watching over my shoulder as I accessed this -- his immediate reaction was

oops!

Chuckeroon said...

I'm surprised by your info. I would have thought that the NYC Yellow Cab were as well regulated and controlled as the London Black Cabs where you get a licence you have to go through an approx 31/2 yr apprenticeship learning the routes. A London Black Cab cannot even go out with the slightest scratch....it must be totally immaculate, by law.

Brian Dubé said...

chuckeroon - I am aware of the London contrast. I was surprised when I learned of this many years ago. And what you say is absolutely true - I was shocked at the difference in London and how professional the whole taxicab thing is. No comparison to NYC. The test is so simple. Many dirvers here have no clue where many things are. A frequent complaint.
Brian

Anonymous said...

Brian,
this is a real "impact" shot!

South Shields Daily Photo

Ajlouny said...

Pretty impressive photo of a cab wreck. It looked like it hurt.