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2021 had the most car accident fatalities in NYC since 2013

2021 was the deadliest year of Vision Zero with 273 people dying in car accidents in New York City. According to a recent report by “Transportation Alternatives”, the number of deaths in 2021 represent a 33% increase of fatalities compared to 2018 which was the safest year of the Vision Zero program.

Hit and run accidents leading to critical injuries increased by 45% compared to a year before and doubled compared to 2018 while arrests of hit and run drivers decreased by 12% compared to 2018. Additionally, only 3% of hit and run cases got solved.

Transportation Alternatives also studied data from crashmapper and found that the share of SUV’s involved in accidents resulting in pedestrian deaths increased by 42% between the first term and the second term of mayor de Blasio. Big vehicles decrease visibility and are especially a danger to cyclists and pedestrians.

The street safety advocacy group also looked at car accident fatalities by council districts and borough and found that:

  • bicycle accident fatalities exploded in the Bronx in 2020 and 2021. There were more cyclists killed in the Bronx over these last two years than in the 8 years from 2012 to 2019 combined. While biking has been heavily promoted in the city and  Citi Bike program deployed in the Bronx, the roads remain unsafe for cyclists with little protection installed for them so far.
  • In Brooklyn, someone died in a car accident every 4 days in 2021. Brooklyn is the most dangerous borough for car accidents. 80 people died in crashes in Brooklyn in 2021.
  • The most dangerous district for road users in New York City is Council District 31 in Queens where 12 people died in crashes in 2021. This Council District includes Far Rockaways, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, Brookville, Laurelton, Arverne and Edgemere. Coming right behind with 10 crash fatalities last year are District 50 in Staten Island, District 17 in the Bronx, District 33 and 43 in Brooklyn.

Read the Transportation Alternative report

Infographic: courtesy of Transportation Alternatives

 

 

 

 

 

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