01-09-2017, 10:08 PM
Nice analysis. I do think it would be difficult to figure out, however, what percentage of injuries come as a result of an uncleared sidewalk.
The problem is, I suspect most fractures such as this occur as a result of ice, which for better or worse, really occurs most on cleared sidewalks. It's the one caveat. Realistically, more salt/sand would help, but the city doesn't always put this down either, especially because the ice often forms later, weeks after snow has fallen, due to melting.
But you're absolutely right the costs of having uncleared sidewalks almost certainly vastly outstrip the cost of clearing them.
The problem is, I suspect most fractures such as this occur as a result of ice, which for better or worse, really occurs most on cleared sidewalks. It's the one caveat. Realistically, more salt/sand would help, but the city doesn't always put this down either, especially because the ice often forms later, weeks after snow has fallen, due to melting.
But you're absolutely right the costs of having uncleared sidewalks almost certainly vastly outstrip the cost of clearing them.