Vision Zero: Mamdani Administration Announces Traffic Deaths Are Near Lowest Levels in Recorded History After First Three Months of 2026

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2026
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Vision Zero: Mamdani Administration Announces Traffic Deaths Are Near Lowest Levels in Recorded History After First Three Months of 2026

Declines in traffic fatalities-down 7% from 2025-are spurred by record low deaths among pedestrians and drivers and occupants of motor vehicles

Positive trends validate administration's focus on safer street designs, traffic enforcement, and public education

NEW YORK - New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today announced that traffic deaths are near their lowest levels ever for the first three months of the year, with fatalities down 7% since the same period last year and record low deaths recorded for pedestrians and occupants of motor vehicles. NYC DOT data released today shows dramatic 20% year-over-year declines in traffic deaths involving pedestrians as well as occupants of motor vehicles. There have been 42 fatalities so far this year, the third fewest to date since such records were first collected in 1910; in only 2015 and 2018 were fewer traffic deaths recorded at this point. Several initiatives were cited as having likely aided these trends, including the cumulative impact of street safety redesigns launched under Vision Zero and the continued effects of New York City's network of automated enforcement. To continue Vision Zero progress, officials also cited the necessity of "Super Speeders" legislation-requiring intelligent speed assist technology for recidivist speeders-now being considered in Albany.

"New York City leads the nation in reducing traffic deaths, with progress driven by targeted, data-informed street redesigns and targeted enforcement against speeding, red-light running, and other dangerous driving behaviors," said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. "But our work is far from done-because one death is one too many. Under Mayor Mamdani, we're building on the success of Vision Zero by thinking boldly and acting with urgency to redesign our streets and use every available tool to keep New Yorkers safe."

"The most exciting thing happening on our streets this year is what's not happening," said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin. "So far in 2026, there are fewer road deaths than at this time last year, which is impressive after 2025 was a record year for road safety in our city. Traffic deaths are preventable, and this shows that thanks to New York City's Vision Zero initiative, and the dedication of community members and advocates across the five boroughs, our streets are safer than ever."

"In 2022, DCAS launched its first intelligent speed assistance pilot with only 50 vehicles; today, we own one of the largest municipal programs in the world," said Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner Yume Kitasei. "Over the past four years, we have successfully improved safety performance across the board, supporting Vision Zero-we are proud to be involved in the long-term transformation of safer roads, and are committed to working collaboratively with our partners towards our Vision Zero objectives."

"The value of preventing even one traffic fatality is incalculable, and the efforts we are taking are clearly working," said Taxi & Limousine Acting Commissioner Evan Hines. "With clear, data-driven results pointing us in the right direction, now is the time to double down on our commitment to Vision Zero, and we look forward to new and exciting initiatives under the new administration. Every step closer to zero is a victory for life."

"Our clinicians at New York City Health + Hospitals treat traumatic injuries from traffic crashes every day," said Julia Burstein, MPH, Injury Prevention and Trauma Outreach Coordinator at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. "We applaud the efforts of Vision Zero and recognize that more work needs to be done to continue decreasing the number of people hurt or killed on our streets."

NYC DOT cited the following highlights (see table at end of release):

• Pedestrian fatalities have this year declined 21% from 2025-from 29 to 23 deaths.
• Deaths among drivers and occupants of motor vehicles has also seen a decline-at eight, a 20% decline from 10 deaths in 2025.

The following Vision Zero initiatives have been among the keys to the progress in reducing fatalities thus far in 2026:

Street Redesigns - NYC DOT released new safety data that showed the dramatic positive effects of two recent street redesigns in Queens and the Bronx. These projects are examples of the important role NYC DOT's traffic engineering plays in enhancing street safety.

DOT installed a safety project on Seagirt Boulevard from Rockaway Freeway to Beach Ninth Street in 2023. The project removed a travel lane in each direction, installed a parking protected bicycle lane, and installed improved pedestrian space at intersections. DOT also returned to the corridor in 2024 to make additional upgrades, including a new signal at Fernside Place.

In the two years since implementation:

• Pedestrian injuries decreased by 25%
• Crashes with injuries decreased by 7%

DOT installed a safety project on East 180th Street from Park Avenue to Boston Road in 2023. With a high density of youth injuries and schools located nearby, the project installed a parking-protected bike lane and improved pedestrian space at intersections, increasing visibility and calming vehicle-turning movements.

In the 2 years since implementation:

• Pedestrian injures decreased by 12%
• Motor vehicle occupant injuries decreased by 34%
• Total injuries decreased 14%

East 180th Street and Prospect Avenue, Bronx; Before (L) and after (R) NYC DOT's comprehensive street redesign. Credit: NYC DOT

Since January, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYC DOT have also announced that several important projects - benefitting pedestrians, bicyclists and bus drivers -- would be undertaken in 2026. All will be undertaken with designs already proven to make streets safer.

Those projects include new protected bicycle lanes on McGuinness Boulevard, Ashland Place, and in Flatbush, Brooklyn; new bus lanes on Manhattan's Madison Avenue and Fordham Road in The Bronx; as well as a pedestrian and cyclist-focused redesign of the Brooklyn Bridge entrance in Lower Manhattan.

Speed Cameras - Speed cameras have been shown to reduce deadly speeding by over 95%, with 14% fewer severe traffic injuries at locations where speed cameras had been recently installed compared with control locations. With Governor Kathy Hochul's signature last year of legislation that renewed authorization for New York's speed cameras, the country's largest such network that is now slated to protect New Yorkers through 2030.

"Super Speeders" Legislation - Vision Zero agencies also pointed to important state legislation now being considered in Albany that would require the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver or their vehicle accumulates a certain number of speed camera tickets annually. Research shows that a driver with more than 20 speed-camera violations is five times as likely to be involved in a crash that causes severe injury or death; drivers with 30 or more violations are 50 times as likely to be involved in such a crash.

Piloted by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) for use by the municipal vehicle fleet, the installation of the technology-known as "intelligent speed assist"-in city vehicles has virtually eliminated speeding among fleet vehicle drivers. In October 2025, DCAS announced all new vehicle orders for the City of New York will include intelligent speed assistance technology, with the exception of lights-and-sirens emergency vehicles and specialized emergency response trucks such as snowplows. This expansion will impact over 7,000 vehicles across the city's fleet, dramatically scaling up the program and cementing the City of New York as the nation's leading implementer of this life-saving technology.

Traffic fatalities by mode through the first quarter of 2026. Credit: NYC DOT

"This is exactly the progress we've been working toward, and it's proof that smart policy saves lives," said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. "That's why I fought so hard to create the speed camera program, and why I'm fighting now to pass my Stop Super Speeders Act, which is the next crucial step in our efforts to keep our neighbors safe. It impacts a small group of repeatedly reckless drivers who are responsible for a disproportionate share of deaths and serious injuries on our streets. We have the tools to create a streetscape that truly works for all New Yorkers-it's on us to act. Thanks to NYCDOT for their strong partnership in this life-saving work."

"You can measure the vibrancy of a city by how safe its streets are. I am thrilled to see this new data from NYC DOT, and I commend Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Flynn for their strong commitment to street safety," said Assembly Member Emily Gallagher. "This commitment is visible in the work they've done to improve bus and bike lanes, as well as in their strong support for my bill, the Stop Super Speeders Act. The bill would save lives by slowing down our city's top super speeders, who are responsible for a disproportionate number of serious crashes and speed camera violations. We must pass it in the budget this year to bring us meaningfully closer to the promise offered by Vision Zero."

"Vision Zero is making a real difference. The New York City Department of Transportation is helping lead that progress, redesigning streets to slow traffic, reduce crashes, and save lives across the city," said City Council Majority Leader and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Shaun Abreu. "Now the next step is clear: go after the drivers who pose the greatest risk. Super speeders turn ordinary streets into dangerous ones, and we need real consequences for that behavior. Albany should pass Super Speeder legislation so we can hold repeat offenders accountable and keep New Yorkers safe."

"Safer street design and intelligent enforcement save lives," said Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director of Open Plans. "These results were built on years of progress under Vision Zero and make it very clear what happens when we prioritize people over speed. When we slow cars down, fewer people die. This announcement should be the clarion call to expand proven street safety treatments and intelligent speed assistance so that all New Yorkers can move with ease around the city and return home safely at the end of the day."

"This is fantastic progress - and shows that when you invest in it, implement it, and build it, Vision Zero works," said Ben Furnas, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. "These numbers aren't just statistics, they're our fellow New Yorkers, and every life saved is a neighbor, family member, or partner who comes home at the end of the day. We'll keep fighting until no one is killed or seriously injured on our streets, and that starts with slowing down super speeders, the most reckless repeat speeders on our streets. We're counting on Albany to include this critical bill, Stop Super Speeders, in the final state budget."

"I carry the physical and psychological trauma of being hit by a car with me every day. We must use every available tool to prevent crashes that kill and seriously injure New Yorkers," said Families for Safe Streets-NY Co-Chair Kate Brockwehl. "Albany needs to act now to pass the Stop Super Speeders bill to rein in the most reckless drivers on our streets."