New York City is taking significant steps to enhance pedestrian safety by redesigning thousands of intersections. Mayor Eric Adams announced that the city plans to implement raised crosswalks and expanded pedestrian spaces as part of these efforts. The focus is on improving street layouts and promoting safe access for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike. The mayor also highlighted the significance of prioritizing safety by incorporating traffic violence into the city’s crime statistics reporting, and by implementing safety improvements for heavy-duty vehicles in the city’s fleet.
Our streets must be safe places for all New Yorkers – pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike. Today, I’m excited to announce that we are doubling our current pace of intersection safety improvements because that’s where more than half of all traffic injuries and deaths take place, stated Mayor Adams.
The city’s move to redesign intersections aims to address the high incidence of traffic injuries and fatalities that occur in these areas. By increasing the number of intersection redesign projects from 1,000 to over 2,000, New York City hopes to significantly reduce these tragic incidents. The initiative places a major emphasis on enhancing safety measures, acknowledging that intersections are particularly prone to accidents.
Mayor Adams also revealed the city’s commitment to combatting traffic violence. We’re going to include traffic violence in CompStat, to treat traffic violence like the serious crime that it is, he explained. By incorporating traffic violence into the city’s crime statistics reporting, the NYPD will be better equipped to monitor and address these incidents more effectively.
Furthermore, the mayor emphasized the importance of improving safety within the city’s own fleet of heavy-duty vehicles. By implementing safety improvements, New York City aims to set a standard for other organizations and businesses in prioritizing safety measures, particularly for vehicles that pose a greater risk on the roads.
The efforts to redesign intersections and prioritize pedestrian safety align with Mayor Adams’ commitment to protecting New Yorkers. By focusing on areas where a significant number of accidents occur and involving the NYPD in monitoring traffic violence, these measures demonstrate a proactive approach to addressing the safety concerns of all road users in the city.
New York City’s initiative reflects a growing global trend of urban centers prioritizing pedestrian safety and rethinking the design of intersections. The implementation of raised crosswalks and expanded pedestrian spaces is expected to create a more accessible and secure urban environment, encouraging healthier transportation options and reducing the risk of accidents.
As the city progresses with its redesign plans, it aims to make intersections safer for all residents and visitors. By doubling the pace of intersection safety improvements and taking significant steps towards addressing traffic violence, New York City is solidifying its commitment to protecting its citizens and creating a safer future on its streets.
