Data from the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) showed that the number of traffic-related deaths dropped drastically in the first quarter of the year.
The DOT monitored traffic deaths in New York and recorded 41 fatal cases in the first quarter of 2025, 24 fewer deaths compared to the 65 reported during the same period in 2024.
This is the second-lowest number of deaths in the first quarter since 1990. The fatalities monitored involved pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and passengers, with all categories showing a decrease.
According to the Department, this reduction is due to the Vision Zero program, which was initiated in 2014 by former Mayor Bill de Blasio and continued by current Mayor Eric Adams.
During Adams’ term, $900 million in financial and operational resources were allocated to enhance road safety in the city.
“To make New York the best city to raise a family, we need to ensure more safety at all levels, including on the streets,” said Adams.
In 2013, a year before the program was implemented, there were 70 deaths across the city in the first quarter of that year.
The number of injuries also decreased in 2025 compared to the first quarter of the previous year. From 9,599 cases by March 12, 2024, to 7,936 during the same period this year.
The New York Department of Transportation highlighted the improvements made at intersections, the installation of barriers, and the expansion of surveillance devices as an essential part of the city’s traffic safety improvements.
Photos: Pexels. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
