Child and pedestrian fatalities surged in New York City in 2024, a grim reality revealed by a study unveiled on Tuesday. The report, presented by transportation groups Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets, painted a stark picture of the city’s escalating pedestrian fatalities amid the ongoing expansion of speed cameras.
The study underscored a somber statistic – 253 New Yorkers lost their lives in traffic crashes last year, equating to one tragic death every 35 hours. The most alarming revelation was a staggering 21% spike in pedestrian fatalities from 2023 to 2024. Moreover, child fatalities climbed by 33% in 2024, reaching 16 deaths – a disheartening figure reminiscent of the city’s worst year for child fatalities under Vision Zero, New York’s comprehensive traffic safety initiative.
The backdrop of these distressing numbers is a recent report from the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) released on Thursday. The DOT’s findings highlighted the positive impact of speed cameras in reducing major crashes within the city. The analysis, spanning from 2021 to 2023, revealed a notable decline in traffic injuries and fatalities in areas equipped with speed cameras. Streets with camera installations in 2022 recorded a 14% reduction in injuries and fatalities compared to locations lacking this surveillance infrastructure.
While the rise in fatalities in 2024 raises concerns, representatives from Transportation Alternatives emphasized the overall success of the speed camera program in fostering behavioral changes among motorists. Ben Furnas, executive director of Transportation Alternatives, stressed the significance of safe street infrastructure, automated enforcement, and curbing repeated speeding violations to enhance road safety and save lives. Despite a 30% decrease in speed camera violations since the system transitioned to a 24/7 operation in 2022, critical safety improvements remain imperative to address the ongoing risks faced by pedestrians, cyclists, and all road users.
The advocacy for road safety and the efficacy of speed cameras has sparked a debate among legal experts, particularly regarding the potential drawbacks of automated ticketing systems. Bader Scott Injury Lawyers highlighted the importance of examining all facets of road safety, advocating for a comprehensive approach that considers issues of due process and the possibility of errors in automated ticketing mechanisms. While acknowledging the benefits of speed cameras, the firm cautioned against overlooking other critical factors contributing to accidents, such as driver distraction and road conditions.
Alexa Sledge, a proponent of Transportation Alternatives, echoed the call for stricter measures to address “super speeders” who defy traffic laws and pose a significant threat to public safety. She endorsed proposed legislation in New York State that would mandate speed-limiting devices in vehicles of repeat offenders, ensuring compliance with speed limits and reducing the risk of fatal crashes on city streets.
The push for enhanced road safety measures has gained momentum from various stakeholders, including New Yorkers, parents, and elected officials. A tragic incident involving the death of an 8-year-old boy in Queens at the hands of a reckless driver underscored the urgent need for stricter enforcement of speeding laws and the implementation of effective safety measures. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso emphasized the critical need to reverse the concerning trend of rising pedestrian fatalities, particularly among children, by advocating for evidence-backed initiatives like Sammy’s Law and congestion pricing.
Sammy’s Law, enacted in 2024 in honor of the late Sammy Cohen Eckstein, has paved the way for lowering speed limits in designated areas to enhance pedestrian safety. This legislative milestone, combined with the impending expiration of a law authorizing speed cameras statewide, underscores the pressing need for concerted efforts to ensure safer streets for all New Yorkers. As the city grapples with the devastating toll of pedestrian fatalities, the collective call for action underscores the shared responsibility to protect lives and foster a culture of road safety in the bustling metropolis.