BROOKLYN — More than half of the pedestrians who have died in traffic accidents so far this year in southern Brooklyn have been elderly, data from the NYPD and Department of Transportation show, prompting an education initiative for elderly walkers in the area’s precincts.
Of the 15 traffic-related pedestrian deaths that have taken place in Brooklyn South — the police command that stretches from Coney Island to Crown Heights and Red Hook to East Flatbush — eight of the victims, or 53 percent, have been 65 or older, according to police and the DOT. This includes all crash data through Sept. 9.
Included in the total is Rabbi Yekutiel Rapp, 66, of Crown Heights, who died in late June after a town car knocked him down while the driver tried to park on Empire Boulevard and Balfour Place.
Last month, 90-year-old Lubov Brodskaya was stuck and killed by a FedEx van in Midwood according to a report by JPUpdates and in mid-May, 91-year-old Iris Rhooms was struck by an SUV blocks from her East Flatbush home and died of her injuries two weeks later.
To combat the trend, precincts in the area have distributed fliers and notices to residents giving tips to older pedestrians on how to navigate the streets safely.
The fliers suggest wearing “light or bright colored clothing so drivers will notice you,” waiting for a fresh walk signal to cross and treating driveways with the same caution before crossing as if they were roads.
The DOT said it is aware of the number of elderly fatalities in the area this year and continues to monitor the safety of key intersections for seniors as part of its Safe Streets for Seniors program.
The agency has plans to revamp 4th Avenue (an ongoing project that has shown some safety improvements so far, according to Streetsblog) and Parkside and Ocean avenues in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens.
