Statement from Transportation Alternatives After Drivers Strike and Kill Three New Yorkers in 24 Hours
Traffic violence has killed 223 people in 2023 — a 25% increase over 2018, the safest year under Vision Zero.
NEW YORK, NY — New York City is reeling from three pedestrians killed within 24-hours. On Thursday night, a driver struck and killed a 72-year-old woman crossing Marine Avenue and 96th Street in a hit-and run in Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn. The next morning, the driver of a pickup truck struck and killed a pedestrian in the crosswalk at 47th Street and 7th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. A few hours later, the driver of a mobile boom lift struck and killed a New Yorker crossing First Avenue and Seventh Street in the East Village.
These deaths come one day after Mayor Eric Adams announced new major budget cuts for New York City, including a 5% cut for every city agency. This will threaten the Department of Transportation’s ability to build critical street safety infrastructure and meet the goals of Vision Zero.
Seventh Avenue is the most dangerous street in all of New York City for pedestrians, and the only street in Manhattan that has gotten deadlier over the last decade. Despite pedestrian volumes at this intersection skyrocketing over the last decade, the City has added no additional pedestrian space.
Statement from Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Danny Harris:
“We are heartbroken and angry to learn that three New Yorkers walking were stuck and killed by drivers in the past 24-hours. Our thoughts are with their families, friends, and loved ones as they mourn these horrific and preventable losses.”
“This year has been the safest for pedestrians in the Vision Zero era – a relief for New Yorkers seeking to cross the street without fear – but even these successes are in jeopardy as traffic violence increases and our City prepares for painful budget cuts. We cannot ever afford to compromise on safety, and our leaders can’t defund critical, essential safety infrastructure – especially as we mourn the 223 people killed and 2,247 people seriously injured on New York City’s streets this year.”
“This weekend, we will be marching arm-in-arm with New Yorkers who have lost a loved one to traffic violence at the annual World Day of Remembrance. Tragically, we now welcome three additional families to stand alongside countless New Yorkers killed and injured in preventable crashes. Vision Zero isn’t just a slogan but a call to action, and we won’t stop until every New Yorker can walk, bike, take the bus, or drive without fear of death or serious injury on our roads.”
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