City's Traffic Fatalities Are at a Record Low
By Special to the Sun | January 30, 2008
Traffic fatalities are at their lowest recorded levels in city history, the mayor said yesterday at a press conference on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn. 271 New Yorkers were killed by accidents in 2007, down from 392 deaths in 2001. Within those numbers, pedestrian deaths reached an all-time low of 136 deaths versus 192 in 2001. Bicycle and motorcycle deaths climbed to an eight-year high at 58 deaths. Nearly 40% of pedestrian killed were senior citizens and the mayor announced new plans to make streets safer for older residents. The effort, includes such changes as 25% longer walk times on street lights in senior-heavy neighborhoods and the addition of more "Yield" signs at busy intersections.
