AARP Details the Mean Streets of NYC for Pedestrians 50 & Older

Assoc. Survey of 50+ Shows Worry about Cars not Yielding & Traffic Lights Timed Too Fast for Safe Crossing

News provided by

Jul 29, 2014, 06:00 ET

NEW YORK, July 29, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cars nipping at your heels as you rush to beat the all-too-sudden flashing stop hand – being a pedestrian in New York City is no walk in the park and a survey out from AARP today finds vast concern about the issue among the city's most powerful voting demographic.

More than one in four pedestrians 50+ cited traffic lights that are timed too fast for safe crossing and cars not yielding as major concerns, according to the survey. AARP took a deeper dive into the issue, breaking the concerns down by borough and diverse populations (African-American, Hispanic and Asian) in NYC.

An analysis of the survey finds Staten Island to be the worst offender, with Queens a close second, followed by Brooklyn, the Bronx and Manhattan on both pedestrian issues. When it comes to the timing of traffic lights, more Hispanics cite them being too fast for safe crossing as a major concern, followed by Asians and African Americans. Concern about cars not yielding to pedestrians is again highest among Hispanics, followed by African Americans and Asians.

"Our city streets can be a rough place for pedestrians, especially those 50 and older. Being struck by a vehicle is the second leading cause of injury-related death older New Yorkers," said Beth Finkel, State Director for AARP in New York State. "AARP commends Mayor de Blasio's focus on addressing this issue and for working to make New York City's streets safer for pedestrians of all ages."

By the numbers, NYC's pedestrians 50+ worries (pg. 21):

Traffic lights being timed too fast for safe crossing are a major concern for 28% (50-64 years olds: 27%, 65 and older: 29%)
Cars not yielding to pedestrians is a major concern for 40% (50-64: 42%, 65 and older: 36.5%)

Borough by Borough breakdown (pedestrian safety on pg. 21):

Traffic lights that are timed too fast for safe pedestrian crossing
	Bronx	Kings	New York	Queens	Richmond
Major problem	29%	28%	21%	30%	35%
Minor problem	22%	27%	30%	30%	29%
Not a problem	46%	42%	46%	38%	35%
Don't know	1%	3%	1%	2%	2%
Cars not yielding to pedestrians
	Bronx	Kings	New York	Queens	Richmond
Major problem	39%	40%	34%	42%	45%
Minor problem	27%	28%	32%	29%	27%
Not a problem	32%	30%	30%	28%	26%
Don't know	1%	2%	1%	1%	2%

By diverse population in NYC (pg. 3)

Traffic lights that are timed too fast for safe pedestrian crossing
	African American/Black/Caribbean	Hispanic	Asian
Major problem	29%	40%	30%
Minor problem	23%	23%	24%
Not a problem	47%	32%	40%
Don't know	1%	2%	3%
Cars not yielding to pedestrians
	African American/Black/Caribbean	Hispanic	Asian
Major problem	39%	53%	36%
Minor problem	24%	18%	29%
Not a problem	35%	25%	26%
Don't know	1%	1%	5%

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

SOURCE AARP New York