NYC cut traffic deaths by 34% but street safety remains work in progress

Earlier this month, New York City reported the third lowest traffic deaths year-to-date since the city started collecting such data back in 1910.

- TANDY LAU

The progress builds off last year, which marked the fewest fatalities ever with the sharpest declines in the outer boroughs — mainly, the Bronx.

“New York City leads the nation in reducing traffic deaths, with progress driven by targeted, data-informed street redesigns and targeted enforcement against speeding, red-light running, and other dangerous driving behaviors,” said NYC Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn in a statement, “but our work is far from done — because one death is one too many. Under Mayor [Zohran] Mamdani, we're building on the success of Vision Zero by thinking boldly and acting with urgency to redesign our streets and use every available tool to keep New Yorkers safe.”

What's working? Transportation Alternatives Communications Director Alexa Sledge said multiple factors helped stem traffic deaths by 34% over the years since the city committed to Vision Zero, a Swedish-born policy dedicated to eliminating all pedestrian deaths, in 2014.