Queens Boulevard of Death

The Post, Daily News, Newsday, and the Times all recount the grisly history of Queens Boulevard as an accident between two SUVs caused the one pedestrian's death and the other's injuries. The News reports that the injured victim's boyfriend ran out to help, only "to find [his girlfriend] lying in a bloody heap." The Times says the nickname "The Boulevard of Death" came to be when"more than 70 pedestrians were killed in accidents there from 1993 to 2001." Christ. Even though there have been three deaths since safety improvements on the boulevard in 2002, isn't that three too many, Newsday says the Department of Transportation is planning a review of the intersection and accident.

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By Jen Chung in News on July 11, 2003 7:32 AM

Comments [rss]

chris

The DOT has failed to install adequate provisions for pedestrians.

- Crosswalks are poorly signposted

- Crosswalks are poorly lit; street lamps are often out

- There are no protective barriers to protect pedestrians who get stuck half way across

- Often there is inadequate time for people to cross, especially elderely or inform

- Cars routinely flout the law- cutting in front of and betweem pedestrians as they cross legally

- Police enforcement of traffic violations is weak.

QUEENS BLVD IS A NIGHTMARE - ANOTHER ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN

Jennifer

The accident occurred right in front of my subway stop! Queens Blvd. is reminiscent of the boulevards you'll find in L.A.--dauntingly wide with lots of fast cars and short pedestrian cross times. The Dept. of Transportation I believe actually erected barriers along the traffic medians recently to prevent pedestrians from crossing at non-crosswalk areas.

Mase

Having used to work blocks from the accident scene, I can attest to Queens Boulevard being one of the most dangerous streets I've ever driven/walked/etc. The boulevard is designed for cars; traffic lights do not give pedestrians sufficient time to cross. I know of one assisted living home that drives its elderly residents to cross to the other side because of the traffic light problem.