Traffic Deaths Rise in New York State, Despite Fewer Crashes

Transportation officials in New York State are facing a bit of a head-scratcher as a new report from the state comptroller found that motor vehicle fatalities rose more than 25 percent between 2019 and 2022, despite the fact that New York saw fewer vehicle miles traveled, fewer car crashes, a lower percentage of licenced drivers, an improved vehicle safety features over the same time period, according to a Times Union article by Molly Burke.

In 2022, the state saw 1,175 deaths, the highest number in nearly a decade; 25 percent of those involved pedestrians, around one-third involved speeding, and another one-third involved drunk drivers. In fact, Burke reports, “The number of deaths among drivers under the influence increased 45 percent between 2019 and 2022.” More crashes also occurred on freeways and arterial roads with higher speed limits than on local roads, according to Burke.

The report recommended New York policy makers consider legislation that (1) would lower the legal limit on blood alcohol content and (2) would allow localities to adjust their speed limits, like this year’s Sammy’s Law that allows New York City to change speed limits from 25 to 20 miles per hour and 15 to 10 miles per hour in certain areas.