NYC Traffic fatalities continue to decline while traffic injuries stabilize

NYC Fatal traffic accidents were at their lowest last January. During the first month of 2018, 11 people died in a traffic accident compared to respectively 18, 17, 13, 21 and 28 in January 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013. The only months when the number of monthly fatal auto accidents in New York City was this low was in March 2016 and in May 2017. The monthly number of traffic deaths never went below 11 in the city.

While traffic fatalities have been on a declining trend since Vision Zero started, the opposite occurred with traffic injuries. They have been on a rising trend. However recent numbers seem to show some signs of stabilization.  4,351 people were injured in a car accident in New York City in January 2018. That’s a little bit less than the 4,383 people injured in January 2017 but more than respectively the 3,654, 3,449, 3,899 and 3,993 people injured in January 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

Globally, traffic accidents continue to increase in New York City. Despite being lower than most previous months, the number of traffic accidents in New York City reached 17,762 in January 2018 compared to respectively 17,126, 17,798, 15,977, 16,597, 15,599 in January 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013. January  is usually a month during which traffic accidents are lower than other months. The number of accidents is usually below the trend line in January.

Despite being on a declining trend, pedestrian deaths continue to account for most traffic fatalities in New York City. 7 of them died in auto accidents in January while 2 motorists, 1 passenger and 1 cyclist also died during the same month. 

In January 2013 before Vision Zero, 20 pedestrians died in auto accidents in the City. After Vision Zero was launched the number of pedestrian deaths never went above 13 in January. It reached its lowest in January 2015 with 6 deaths.

Pedestrians have a higher risk to be struck by cars during the months of October, November, December and January. Accidents often occurred at the end of the day as people get out of work after sunset and are less visible by motorists. The number of pedestrian injuries usually fluctuate around 1000 in January. In January 2013 before Vision Zero was launched the number of pedestrian injuries was 1107. It went down to 1075 in 2014, to 902 in 2015 and reached its lowest at 899 in January 2016. It went back up to 1083 in 2017 and decreased slightly to 987 last January.

Drivers and passengers account for the biggest part of the traffic injuries. 1914 motorists were injured in car accidents last January compared to respectively 1851, 1524, 1133, 1295 and 1336 in January 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Over the last 3 years the number of motorists injured in traffic accidents in New York City has almost doubled.  Distracted driving which is the number one cause of accidents in New York City is most probably a factor in many of these accidents.

Passengers injuries are on a slightly declining trend but they still represent a big chunk of the total of the traffic injuries. Last January 1267 passengers were injured in motor vehicle accidents compared to respectively 1270, 1038, 1299, 1413 and 1360 in January 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

The number of bicycle accidents stayed above 200 last January but was slightly lower than in January 2016. There were 226 bicycle accidents in New York City last January compared to respectively 241, 224, 159, 149 and 248 in January 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013.  1 cyclist died and 183 others were injured during that same month. Both cyclist deaths and injuries have been on a rising trend over the last 5 years.

Motorcycle accidents are usually at their lowest in January due to seasonal conditions. 49 motorcycle accidents were recorded last January. It’s lower than 65 in January 2017  and 55 in January 2013 but higher than respectively 40, 28, 32 in January 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Bus accidents have been on a rising trend since 2013 . However the number of bus accidents in January is often below the trend line. This might be explained by usually a lower number of  tourist buses in town in January. 622 bus accidents were recorded last January compared to respectively 541, 649, 522, 623 and 441 in January 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

Truck accidents continue to increase dramatically in New York City. Last January there were 1350 truck accidents in New York City compared to respectively 1253, 667, 615, 588 and 523 in January 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013.