Skip to main content

New York City sees reduction in pedestrian and cyclist fatalities

New York City has ended the first six months of 2017 with the fewest traffic fatalities ever measured, according to figures released by Mayor Bill de Blasio. Under the Vision Zero program, as of 30 June, the city had recorded 93 fatalities, the first time ever that fewer than 100 lives had been lost in such a period. The full fiscal year ending 30 June recorded 210 fatalities, 31 fewer than the prior fiscal year. The reductions come as the City is increasing traffic enforcement against dangerous violations
July 21, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
New York City has ended the first six months of 2017 with the fewest traffic fatalities ever measured, according to figures released by Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Under the Vision Zero program, as of 30 June, the city had recorded 93 fatalities, the first time ever that fewer than 100 lives had been lost in such a period.  The full fiscal year ending 30 June recorded 210 fatalities, 31 fewer than the prior fiscal year. The reductions come as the City is increasing traffic enforcement against dangerous violations like speeding and redesigning a record number of streets to make them safer.

The Vision Zero highlights from the first six months of 2017 include declines in year over year traffic fatalities since 2016 in most modes, including among pedestrians, where 47 fatalities were recorded as of 30 June, compared to 63 fatalities in first six months of 2016.

Declines by borough have been largest in Queens, with 23 fatalities in 2017 compared to 32 in 2016, in Manhattan, with 20 in 2017 down from 26 in 2016 and on Staten Island, with five fatalities this year, down from 11 last year.

FY 2017, which concluded on 30 June, was also the City’s safest fiscal year since record-keeping began, with 31 fewer traffic deaths than FY 2016 and over 70 fewer, a 24 per cent decline from FY14, the year Vision Zero was launched.  In contrast, from 2014-2106, according to the 4953 National Safety Council, the country as a whole has seen a 14 percent increase in traffic fatalities.

UTC

Related Content

  • August 13, 2014
    National Safety Council estimates traffic fatalities down in first half of 2014
    Preliminary data collected by the US National Safety Council indicates deaths from motor vehicle crashes during the first six months of 2014 are down four per cent, compared to the same six month period last year. In 2014, 16,180 traffic deaths occurred from January through June, compared to 16,860 in 2013. Definitive reasons behind the decrease are not known.
  • March 29, 2016
    Move NY Legislation introduced
    A coalition of New York State Assembly Members has unveiled legislation that they say will not only fund Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) capital needs but will create a US$4.5 billion Transit Gap Investment Fund (TGIF) to expand public transit and improve accessibility for millions of New Yorkers, particularly those who live in so-called ‘transit deserts’. Introduced by Assembly Member Robert J. Rodriguez, chair of the subcommittee on infrastructure, and joined by 14 co-sponsors from across t
  • August 9, 2013
    National Safety Council estimates traffic fatalities down
    Preliminary data collected by the US National Safety Council indicates deaths from motor vehicle crashes during the first six months of 2013 are down 5 per cent, compared to the same six month period last year. In 2013, an estimated 16,620 traffic deaths occurred from January through June, compared to 17,430 in 2012. Definitive reasons behind the decrease are not known. "The Council will be keeping a close eye on our monthly traffic fatality estimates to determine if this decrease is just a blip on the rad
  • September 12, 2023
    From coast to coast: US states embrace automated enforcement for safer roads, says Verra Mobility
    The concept of Vision Zero has hit a pothole in the US – but there is hope for a safer future, says Jon Baldwin, executive vice president, government solutions, at Verra Mobility