Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Carnage

DMV Data Show Decrease in NYC Traffic Injuries in 2011

1:53 PM EST on November 30, 2012

The number of traffic deaths in the city remained mostly flat from 2010 to 2011, while total pedestrian and cyclist deaths and injuries dropped slightly last year, according to data from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. The trend may be positive, but the scale of traffic violence in NYC is still staggeringly high.

In 2011, 268 people died in city traffic crashes [PDF], compared to 270 deaths in 2010 [PDF]. Last year 143 pedestrians and 22 cyclists were killed by motorists, compared to 149 and 18, respectively, in 2010.

Total injuries fell by 9 percent in 2011 compared to 2010, from 77,253 to 69,955. Injuries to pedestrians and cyclists were down as well. In 2011, 10,660 pedestrians and 3,504 cyclists were hurt in collisions with motor vehicles, compared to 11,084 and 3,518, respectively, in 2010. Total pedestrian and cyclist injuries stood at 14,164 last year and 14,602 in 2010, a 3 percent dip. Because they are less subject to random variation, total injuries are a more reliable safety indicator than fatalities.

Serious injury crashes in 2011 dropped by 6 percent from 2010, 2,942 compared to 3,138.

Motor vehicle crashes were down by 6.7 percent -- from 78,343 to 73,060. The number of fatal crashes saw a small decrease, from 261 to 250.

While the overall trend in traffic violence has been downward, indications are that the number of traffic fatalities is on pace to rise in 2012. The latest Mayor's Management Report, based on the fiscal year ending June 30, showed a 23 percent increase in citywide traffic deaths, and it's likely the 2012 calendar year will also see more fatalities than 2011.

The management report revealed that NYPD issued fewer summonses for moving violations in the last fiscal year than at any time since 2002. Transportation Alternatives noted that police wrote 28 percent fewer citations for speeding than for tinted windows. After the report was released, DOT called on Albany to grant the city permission to expand its automated enforcement program.

We'll dig deeper into the DMV figures, and how they compare with prior traffic casualty stats, in a future post.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

We Have the ‘End of Days’ Flooding Pics You Need Right Now

It's bad out there. How bad? Here is a citywide roundup from our staff ... and our friends on social media.

September 29, 2023

Labor Gains: Judge Tosses App Giants’ Suit to Stop Deliverista Minimum Wage

Justice Nicholas Moyne cleared the way for a long-delayed wage hike for workers who brave dangerous roads to bring food directly to New Yorkers.

September 29, 2023

Fed Up Bronxites Tell Mayor To Forget About Bus Ride Invitation After Fordham Road ‘Betrayal’

"I really would think that our mayor would be a little bit more active and speak with us, because he hasn't really made any time with riders. We're not the enemy. We just want better bus service."

September 29, 2023

City Pays $150K to Settle Suit Over Cops Who Harassed Man Who Reported Police Parking Misconduct

Justin Sherwood and his lawyer will pocket $152,000 to settle his federal civil rights suit against the city and several officers who harassed him following his 311 calls.

September 28, 2023
See all posts