What's Driving the Rise in NYC Traffic Deaths?

Despite years of consistent decline, and a variety of efforts aimed at improving safety, traffic fatalities spiked by 23 percent last year in New York City. Matt Flegenheimer examines what may be causing the increase.

1 minute read

September 26, 2012, 11:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Findings included in last week's release of the twice-yearly Mayor's Management Report revealed figures that are sure to give pause to Mayor Bloomberg and his top transportation deputy, Janette Sadik-Khan. "Though overall crashes fell slightly for the second straight year, 176
cyclists or pedestrians were killed in crashes, up from 158 the previous
year. The other 115 deaths were motorists or their passengers, a sharp
rise from the 78 drivers and passengers killed the year before."

While Flegenheimer seems to suggest initially that the numbers indicate the failure of recent measures credited with improving safety, such as pedestrian plazas and bike lanes, he also notes that "preliminary
analysis suggested that the crashes were concentrated on highways, far
removed from many of the areas that have been the focus of the city's
initiatives."    

"According to the Mayor's Management Report, speeding, driving while
intoxicated, and running red lights or stop signs accounted for a
combined 54 percent of motorist or passenger fatalities." DOT Commissioner Sadik-Khan also attributes partial blame to a rise in distracted driving and distracted walking. 

"The traffic data appears more encouraging," notes Flegenheimer, "when set against figures from
past years, before the city experienced its recent sharp decline in
annual deaths. There were 243 traffic fatalities in the calendar year
2011, about a 38 percent reduction from 2001." 

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 in The New York Times

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.