‘Vision’ of success
Fewer traffic deaths in first half of year
Traffic deaths dropped 15% in the first half of 2018 compared with the corresponding period last year, city officials announced Monday to highlight the Vision Zero street safety program.
There were 14 fewer deaths as of June 30 — down to 81 from 95 in the first six months of 2017.
Fatalities were down or even in all categories except among motorcyclists. Bicyclist deaths dropped to seven from 10, motor vehicle occupant fatalities fell to 15 from 27, while pedestrian deaths were flat, at 47. Motorcyclist fatalities increased slightly to 12 from 11 last year.
City officials are highlighting the figures as they put pressure on state Senate leadership to return to Albany and authorize a program for speed cameras in 140 school zones. The city’s cameras will go dark July 25 without action from the state.
“No loss of life on our streets is acceptable,” Mayor de Blasio said in a statement. “Under Vision Zero, we have made enormous strides towards safer streets for all, with traffic fatalities declining for the past 4½ years. But we will never rest on our laurels, and will keep fighting for the safety of our fellow New Yorkers. The state Senate’s failure to act on speed cams puts this progress, and the lives of schoolchildren, at risk.
“They must act now — lives are at stake.”
City Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg touted the drops in street fatalities, but pointed out a “tragic trend” in child traffic deaths, which doubled to eight compared with the prior year. One of those deaths occurred inside a school zone, according to Department of Transportation officials.
Trottenberg said the city is exploring legal options to keep the cameras in operation to collect data, but not give out tickets. She said her department has been talking with the NYPD on how to respond if the the cameras are no longer automatically fining drivers.
“I’m sure they’re going to do what they can to step in and beef up enforcement in high-priority areas,” she said. “Part of the powerful case we’ve always made for these speed cameras is, (the NYPD) cannot be everywhere all the time. That’s why automated enforcement is such a powerful tool.”
City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza also called on lawmakers to pass an extension of the speed camera program to protect kids during summer school and in the upcoming school year.
With speed cameras automatically sending $50 tickets to lead-foot drivers, speeding in a typical school zone dropped 63%, and 81% of people whose car was caught going over the limit never got a second violation, according to city officials.