Pedestrian Deaths by Car Accidents Down 45% After 10 Years of NYC’s ‘Vision Zero’

By Hamodia Staff

New York City released data on the progress made by its campaign to curb car accidents Thursday, highlighting a drastic decrease in pedestrian deaths related to car accidents.

The program, called “Vision Zero,” began 10 years ago, and included 349 initiatives, including the installation of speed cameras and lowering the speed limit on every NYC street – including Ocean Parkway and other multi-lane roads – to 25 miles per hour.

“As the first American city to undertake an ambitious Vision Zero safety program, New York City has created a model on which other cities, counties, and countries are building their plans,” the NYC Department of Transportation and Vision Zero Task Force said in a statement released to media.

Overall traffic deaths declined by more than 12% over the last decade, with pedestrian deaths decreasing by 45%, the DOT said.

“Traffic safety is public safety, and pedestrians, cyclists, delivery workers, drivers, and everyone else using our roadways deserve safe streets,” Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement Thursday. “As we reach 10 years of Vision Zero in New York City, I want to commend DOT, and its partner agencies, for their unwavering commitment to the critical mission of protecting our fellow New Yorkers.”