As legal advocates dedicated to promoting safer streets in New York City, we’ve taken a close look at the recent report from Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets concerning the decade-long journey of Vision Zero.
This initiative, aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities, has brought to light both its achievements and the hurdles it still faces, particularly in terms of equitable safety across all neighborhoods.
Over the past ten years, Vision Zero has undeniably made strides in reducing traffic-related deaths. The city witnessed a 16% drop in traffic fatalities, saving over 450 lives compared to the decade before the program’s implementation.
This progress is largely attributed to strategic urban planning efforts such as enhanced street design, the widespread installation of speed safety cameras, and the reduction of speed limits.
Notably, pedestrian deaths decreased by 29% from 2014 to 2023, illustrating the positive impact of these safety measures.
Despite these advances, the report uncovers worrying trends, including a rise in fatalities among cyclists and in traffic deaths within predominantly BIPOC and Latino communities.
This indicates a pressing need for Vision Zero to adopt a more inclusive approach, ensuring safety improvements benefit all areas of the city equally.
The year 2023 marked an especially tragic period for cyclists, seeing the highest number of fatalities since 1999.
This alarming 41% increase in the latter half of Vision Zero’s lifespan compared to its initial five years calls for an urgent expansion of protected bike lanes and enhanced road safety infrastructure to support the increasing popularity of cycling in New York.
The report also sheds light on the disturbing disparities in traffic fatality trends, with majority-white areas experiencing a 4% decrease in deaths, while majority-BIPOC and Latino areas saw increases of 15% and 30%, respectively.
Such stark differences underscore the critical need for focused safety interventions and infrastructure investments in communities that Vision Zero has not yet adequately served.
Furthermore, the analysis reveals that almost all cyclists who lost their lives were on streets lacking protected bike lanes. Also, fatalities among motorists, particularly in communities of color, have risen.
These findings highlight the imperative for comprehensive urban redesign and the expansion of protective measures to safeguard all who share the city’s streets.
Reflecting on Vision Zero’s first decade, it’s evident that while there has been commendable progress, the journey towards a city free of traffic fatalities is far from over.
The insights provided by Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets call for a renewed commitment from city officials, policymakers, and advocates.
There’s a pressing need to intensify efforts, allocate adequate resources, and pursue Vision Zero’s objectives with renewed vigor and inclusivity.
Achieving the ultimate goal of Vision Zero requires a commitment to designing urban spaces that prioritize the well-being of every New Yorker, whether they’re walking, biking, or driving.
By extending protected bike lanes, transforming hazardous streets, and ensuring equitable safety measures across all neighborhoods, we can aspire to a New York City where traffic violence is a thing of the past, and every individual can navigate the city safely and freely.