In the midst of a very trying week, here’s a major win for Mayor Bill de Blasio: The number of pedestrian traffic deaths in the city is at its lowest point since 1910. The New York Daily News reports that as of Sunday, the city suffered 131 pedestrian traffic-related fatalities in 2014. That number is 26% lower than last year’s, at 177 deaths. The number of all traffic-related deaths (including motorists and cyclists) was 250, the second-lowest on record.
Since coming into office, de Blasio has prioritized Vision Zero, a plan that aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities in New York City. In the past year, the city has increased the number of speed cameras, has reduced the city-wide speed limit to 25 MPH, and has established 27 new “arterial slow zones,” reports the Daily News. Additionally, police issued 42% more speeding tickets and 126% more summons to drivers who failed to yield to pedestrians than in 2013.
De Blasio sees the numbers as evidence that his plan is working, saying:
“There is no question we are moving this city in the right direction, thanks to stepped-up enforcement by the NYPD, strong traffic safety measures by the Department of Transportation, new laws passed by our legislators, and the work of New Yorkers fighting for change,” Mayor de Blasio said in a statement to The News. “This year shows that when we put the force of government and the will of the city behind a goal like Vision Zero, we can get results and make our streets safer.”
(Photo: Dorli Photography)
