Dollar Van crashes at Albany and Empire, April 27

whynot_31

Driver and passengers of Dollar Van all flee.


Details, more photos of mangled Dollar Van: http://crownheights.info/accidents/481585/dollar-van-collides-with-truck-passengers-flee/

pheightsresident

Strange that the passengers fled as well.

Still, knowing how crazy the dollar van drivers operate their vehicles, I'm shocked that we don't see more of these accidents. 

whynot_31

I think we see them mostly as a result of the media coverage.

However, the media seems to report on Dollar Van crashes in spurts

My theory is that they crash at a somewhat constant rate.

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=dollar+van+accident+brooklyn&gbv=2&oq=dollar+van+accident&gs_l=heirloom-hp.1.0.0i22i30l2.1219.7022.0.10516.19.11.0.8.8.0.110.766.10j1.11.0.msedr...0...1ac.1.34.heirloom-hp..0.19.781.44LjgzCmtEw

newguy88

I never understood the mindset of passengers who use those things. They mostly seem to run around areas with MTA buses but drive like maniacs. Maybe they save you some time and little money but they simply aren't safe. I've seen them slam on the brakes in the middle of traffic, cut across multiple lanes, do u-turns without looking for oncoming traffic, blow steady reds, and nearly hit pedestrians while walking through the crosswalk with the light.

I'm shocked there haven't been more deadly accidents. Funny that the passengers fled. However, they must have known that thing was dangerous and illegal so they fled. I hope they evaluate the cost risk benefit of their transportation choices.

Maybe it's time for another crackdown on them. Remember how the last crackdown was attacked as a racist attack on these poor immigrant drivers just trying to an honest make a living by ignoring every traffic law and commercial safety regulation? Or was it big government trying to keep down the legitimate business man who drives like a maniac with oppressive regulations? I can't quite remember why the crackdown was a bad idea.

whynot_31

As a result of how they are driven AND the relatively few number of stops they must make, Dollar Vans are much faster than MTA buses.

I ride them on the occasions I am willing to exchange safety FOR speed.

The vans also allow me to attend the West Indian Day parade having heard the latest mixes already.

pragmaticguy

Most of those dollar vans aren't insured as for hire vehicles, therefore the insurance company (if there is one) would not pay any injury claims anyway. No sense in hanging around.

whynot_31

Yes, if I was a passenger I would not hang around unless I needed medical attention.

Given the evidence, I doubt the police would need a statement from me that said "I was riding in the van and it hit a truck".

I suspect the NYPD will track down the driver and eventually arrest him.

newguy88

Yes, if I was a passenger I would not hang around unless I needed medical attention.

Given the evidence, I doubt the police would need a statement from me that said "I was riding in the van and it hit a truck".

I suspect the NYPD will track down the driver and eventually arrest him.

You'd be surprised I once witnessed a two car accident on Nostrand and called 911. The cops made me wait around for an hour to say "All I saw was the front car roll forward and the driver asked me to call an ambulance."
I'd agree they're probably going to get the driver.

doublen00b

I love my dollar vans, and fwiw they're 2 bucks.

Dollar vans are faster, cheaper, and far more frequent than the MTA could ever dream of being. Hence they success they have. The are about as safe as any other ride you'll jump into (gypsy cabs, black limos, green/yellow cabs).

MasTacos

 The are about as safe as any other ride you'll jump into (gypsy cabs, black limos, green/yellow cabs).

No

ehgee

I had a friend, a white girl from Texas, who would take the dollar van from PLG to work in Dumbo. It worked for her.