Car accidents across the city are costing the economy almost $4 billion each year, according to a new report published by Transportation Alternatives.
The New York Post reports that the data is a response to Mayor de Blasio’s Vision Zero plan to eradicate traffic fatalities by the year 2024, arguing that the project is greatly underfunded and the budget should be doubled to $2.4 billion over the next ten years.
The advocacy group also noted that arterial streets are the most frequent scene of fatalities, which make up 15 percent of New York City streets. “Reconstruction of arterial streets with complete street design changes, including pedestrian refuge islands, dedicated bus and bike lanes, exclusive pedestrian crossing time, and slower speeds, has proven to be the most cost-effective solution to this deadly problem,” the report states.
“We are excited as we begin the work designing these streets and engaging with the community for safer, greener, and more attractive corridors for residents and businesses,” Commissioner Polly Trottenberg told the Post.
Jon Orcutt, former New York City Department of Transportation Policy Director and advisor to Transportation Alternatives said the Observer there are two ways the city can decrease casualties.
“A very quick thing they can do is re-organize the shape of the streets,” Mr. Orcutt said. “And then there’s a larger process of rebuilding the streets from scratch, and that’s much longer, it takes five to ten years.”
