Vision Zero was an initiative launched in New York City to reduce potential motor vehicle collision risks while also minimizing, if not ending, fatalities. The results so far are mixed and based on where you live within the city.
In any city across the nation, holiday travel represents significant challenges. More vehicles on the road increase the chance of serious and fatal collisions.
Big accidents in the Big Apple
Staten Island ranked first in driving safety, accounting for five percent of New York City accidents. Manhattan ranks second with close to 17,000 collisions. The Bronx is close to their neighboring borough, ranking third with 17,678. Second-to-last is Queens, with a troubling number of 27,943 accidents.
At the bottom of traffic catastrophes is Brooklyn when it comes to car and truck accidents, with 32,788 casualties, accounting for one-third of all accidents city-wide. Experts cite excessive traffic congestion, less than adequate driving habits, and poorly designed roads. In particular, Flatbush Avenue and Coney Island are the most risky and infamous for being the most dangerous intersections in the city.
Labor Day dangers
While Thanksgiving and Christmas days are infamous for tied-up traffic dominating roads, Labor Day represents the biggest risks on New York City roads. Beyond state borders, the early September commemoration sees vehicles driven by drivers distracted, under the influence, and severely fatigued from the revelry.
Ironically, the holidays considered safest for New York drivers and passengers are Independence Day and Christmas, with fatal accidents in the single digits.
The cause of these catastrophes should not be surprising. Distracted driving remains a clear and present danger as it represents the number-one cause of New York City-based accidents. In 2022 alone, nearly 29,000 vehicles collided with other vehicles due to a variety of distractions.