This year marked the tenth year of the Vision Zero era, which was launched in 2014 by Mayor Bill de Blasio.  This tenth year was the target year by which “Vision Zero” was meant to be achieved.   While traffic fatalities in Queens remained lower in 2023 than before the Vision Zero era, they have generally been on an upward trajectory since 2017.  Whether due to corruption or indifference, NYPD continues to neglect its responsibility for traffic safety, with enforcement efforts remaining dramatically lower than before Vision Zero launched.

Fatalities.  Total traffic fatalities in Queens have fallen by 20 percent, from 93 fatalities in 2013 to 74 fatalities in 2023. Pedestrian fatalities have declined 50 percent from 52 fatalities in 2013 to 26 fatalities in 2023. Cyclist deaths have risen from two fatalities in 2013 to six in 2023.  Citywide, there was an 18 percent reduction in overall traffic fatalities over the same ten-year period.

The chart above shows the progress that has been made in reducing traffic fatalities in Queens.

A partial list of the neighbors that we lost in 2023 is provided here.

Injuries. In 2023, there were 2,310 pedestrians injured in Queens by motor vehicles, a decline of 18% from the Vision Zero benchmark year, 2013. There have been 890 injuries to cyclists, an increase of 8% since 2013. Overall, including motor vehicle occupants, there were 15,509 people injured in motor vehicle crashes in Queens last year, virtually unchanged since 2013. Citywide, there has been a 4% reduction in injuries over this time.

Enforcement. The overall effort of police officers in Queens toward ticketing motorists for dangerous and reckless driving behaviors is far lower today than it was before Vision Zero was launched a decade ago (see chart below).  While enforcement of speeding and not yielding right of way to pedestrians remain significantly higher than pre-Vision Zero levels, tickets issued for illegal cell phone use, disobeying signs/traffic control devices, and improper turns remain sharply down. Enforcement actions for running red lights in Queens remains about on par with pre-Vision Zero levels.  Enforcement across all six categories in Queens is down 30% since 2013, which is even more extreme than the overall 22% drop in enforcement citywide.

A detailed report, with results by community board, is available here.

We took a bit of a hiatus during COVID, but with the near year it seemed like a good time to revisit the borough’s progress on Vision Zero.   2022 marked the ninth year of the Vision Zero era, which was launched in 2014 by Mayor Bill de Blasio, and the first full year of Eric Adams’ term as Mayor of the City of New York. While traffic fatalities in Queens remained lower in 2022 than before the Vision Zero era, they have shown no consistent downward progress since 2018.  Safety-related traffic enforcement efforts by NYPD remain dramatically lower than before Vision Zero launched.

Fatalities.  Total traffic fatalities in Queens have fallen by 22 percent, from 93 fatalities in 2013 to 73 fatalities in 2022. Pedestrian fatalities have declined 33 percent from 52 fatalities in 2013 to 35 fatalities in 2022. Cyclist deaths have remained steady at two fatalities per year.  Citywide, there was a 12 percent reduction in overall traffic fatalities over the same nine-year period.

The chart above shows the progress that has been made in reducing traffic fatalities in Queens.

A partial list of the neighbors that we lost in 2022 is provided here.

Injuries. In 2022, there were 2,130 pedestrians injured in Queens by motor vehicles, a decline of 24% from the Vision Zero benchmark year, 2013. There have been 813 injuries to cyclists, a decrease of 2% since 2013. Overall, including motor vehicle occupants, there have been 14,065 people injured in motor vehicle crashes in Queens over the past year, down 9% since 2013. Citywide, there has been a 8% reduction in injuries over this time.

Enforcement. The overall effort of police officers in Queens toward ticketing motorists for dangerous and reckless driving behaviors is far lower today than it was before Vision Zero was launched in 2014 (see chart below).  While enforcement of speeding and not yielding right of way to pedestrians remain significantly higher than pre-Vision Zero levels, tickets issued for illegal cell phone use, disobeying red lights, disobeying signs/traffic control devices, and improper turns remain sharply down. Enforcement across all six categories in Queens is down 36% since 2013, which is even more extreme than the overall 27% drop in enforcement citywide.

A detailed report, with results by community board and borough, is available here.

2019 marked the sixth year of the Vision Zero era and Bill de Blasio’s leadership as Mayor of the City of New York. While traffic fatalities in Queens remained sharply lower in 2019 than before the Vision Zero era, they have shown no downward progress in the past three years. In 2019, we also continued to see a rise in traffic injuries and flagging enforcement efforts.

Fatalities.  Total traffic fatalities in Queens have fallen by 28 percent, from 93 fatalities in 2013 to 67 fatalities in 2019. Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities have declined 26 percent from 54 fatalities in 2013 to 40 fatalities in 2019. Citywide, there was a 25 percent reduction in overall traffic fatalities over the same six year period.

The chart above shows the progress that has been made in reducing traffic fatalities in Queens.

A partial list of the neighbors that we lost in 2019 is provided here.

Injuries. In 2019, there were 2,627 pedestrians injured in Queens by motor vehicles, a decline of 6% from the Vision Zero benchmark year, 2013. There have been 832 injuries to cyclists, a net increase of 1% since 2013. Overall, including motor vehicle occupants, there have been 18,981 people injured in motor vehicle crashes in Queens over the past year, up 22% since 2013. Citywide, there has been a 10% increase in injuries over this time.

Enforcement. Overall, while enforcement of speeding, red light running, and not giving right of way to pedestrians remains significantly higher than pre-Vision Zero levels, tickets issued for illegal cell phone use, an important contributor to distracted driving, remains sharply down. Overall, enforcement across all four categories in Queens is up 27% since 2013, which matches the growth in enforcement citywide. Overall, the level of enforcement in Queens according to these measures was about 8% higher than in 2018, largely due to a surge in ticketing for Failure to Yield to Pedestrians over the last four months of the year.

For its own Vision Zero analysis, the city tracks a broader list of six categories of traffic violations, including Improper Turn, and Disobey Sign/Traffic Control Device. Including these additional categories shows that the overall effort of police officers in Queens toward ticketing motorists for dangerous and reckless driving behaviors is no higher today than it was in 2014 (see chart below).

A tremendous success of the past year was the passage of a new legislation in Albany authorizing more urgently needed traffic safety cameras for the city. But we continue to urge the NYPD to work more urgently to increase its focus on enforcement, and NYCDOT to accelerate the pace of street redesigns, so that we can make more rapid progress toward safer streets.

Full detailed report, with results by community board, available here.

There has been a dramatic upsurge in cyclist fatalities this year.  In July, the city released a new strategy to accelerate development of bicycle infrastructure and improve street safety for all.  In the near term, they will focus on ten specific neighborhoods that lack adequate safety infrastructure.  This seems an appropriate time for a mid-year check-in on Vision Zero progress in Queens.

Fatalities. Through the end of July, there have been 38 traffic fatalities in Queens in 2018. Some of the neighbors we lost this year have included:

• Xiu Xi Pu, 80, Pedestrian, killed February 5 in crosswalk at 251st Street and 63rd Avenue in Little Neck (111th Precinct); driver charged with driving without a license, failure to yield and failure to use due care causing a serious injury (Streetsblog).
• Sherena Hundalani, 26, Pedestrian, killed February 24 on sidewalk at Queens Boulevard and 63rd Road in Rego Park (112th Precinct); hit-and-run by taxi, no charges filed (Streetsblog, 2).
• Robert Spencer, 53, Cyclist, killed March 14 at Borden Avenue and Second Street in Long Island City (108th Precinct); no charges (Streetsblog).
• Unidentified pedestrian, killed April 5 in crosswalk by turning vehicle at Brookville Boulevard and Sunrise Highway in Rosedale (113th Precinct); driver charged with driving without a license, failure to yield and failure to use due care causing a serious injury (Streetsblog).
• Cameron Brown, 7, Pedestrian, killed on April 17th while exiting school bus at Gipson Street in Far Rockaway (101st Precinct); no charges (Streetsblog).
• Unidentified pedestrian, killed June 23 at Main Street between 59th and 60th Ave. in Flushing (109th Precinct); no charges (Streetsblog).

In the 12 months ending July 2019, there have been 72 overall traffic fatalities in Queens, down 23% from the 93 people killed in 2013, the Vision Zero benchmark year. Citywide, there has been a 24% decline in fatalities in this time.  

In the first 7 months of 2019, there were 38 overall traffic fatalities in Queens, up from 35 fatalities over the same period in 2018.  The number of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities through July has fallen from 23 in 2018 to 18 in 2019.

Injuries. In the 12 months ending in July 2019, there have been 2,677 pedestrians injured in Queens by motor vehicles, a decline of 4% from the Vision Zero benchmark year, 2013. In the same time, there have been 858 injuries to cyclists, an increase of 4% since 2013. Overall, including motor vehicle occupants, there have been 19,202 people injured in motor vehicle crashes in Queens over the past year, up 24% since 2013. Citywide, there has been a 12% increase in injuries over this time. Overall since 2013, Queens and the Bronx have seen the greatest percent increase in traffic-related injuries among the five boroughs.

Enforcement. Overall, while enforcement of speeding, red light running, and not giving right of way to pedestrians remains significantly higher than pre-Vision Zero levels, tickets issued for illegal cell phone use, an important contributor to distracted driving, remains sharply down. Enforcement across all four categories in Queens is up 20% since 2013. Citywide, enforcement is up 22%.

Click here to download our full detailed report.

The first year of Mayor De Blasio’s second term, 2018, marked the fifth complete year of the Vision Zero era. While traffic fatalities in Queens remained sharply lower in 2018 than before the Vision Zero era, they were higher than in either of the previous two years. In 2018, we also continued to see a rise in traffic injuries and flagging enforcement efforts.

Fatalities. 2018 broke a four-year streak in declining traffic deaths in Queens. Total traffic fatalities in Queens have fallen by 26 percent, from 93 fatalities in 2013 to 69 fatalities in 2018. Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities have declined 22 percent from 54 fatalities in 2013 to 42 fatalities in 2018. Citywide, there was a 30 percent reduction in fatalities over the same five year period.

The chart above shows the progress that has been made in reducing traffic fatalities in Queens.

A partial list of the neighbors that we lost in 2018 is provided here.

Injuries. In 2018, there were 2,649 pedestrians injured in Queens by motor vehicles, a decline of 5% from the Vision Zero benchmark year, 2013. There have been 792 injuries to cyclists, a sharp drop of nearly 13 percent since 2017, and a net decline of 4% since 2013. Overall, including motor vehicle occupants, there have been 18,694 people injured in motor vehicle crashes in Queens over the past year, up 20% since 2013. Citywide, there has been a 10% increase in injuries over this time.

Enforcement. Overall, while enforcement of speeding, red light running, and not giving right of way to pedestrians remains significantly higher than pre-Vision Zero levels, tickets issued for illegal cell phone use, an important contributor to distracted driving, remains sharply down. Overall, enforcement across all four categories in Queens is up 18% since 2013. Citywide, enforcement is up 24%. Overall, the level of enforcement in Queens according to these measures was about 1% higher than in 2017.

For its own Vision Zero analysis, the city tracks a broader list of six categories of traffic violations, including Improper Turn, and Disobey Sign/Traffic Control Device. With these additional categories included, a clearer trend toward greater enforcement can be seen since 2013 (see chart below).

We continue to urge our representatives in the state legislature to authorize more urgently needed traffic safety cameras for the city. And we continue to urge the NYPD to continue to increase its focus on enforcement, and NYCDOT to accelerate the pace of street redesigns.

Full detailed report, with results by community board, available here.

Fatalities. Through the end of June, there have been 30 traffic fatalities in Queens in 2018. Some of the neighbors we lost this year have included:

• Myriam Nino, 82, Pedestrian, struck on January 5 in crosswalk at Northern Blvd. and 90th Street in Jackson Heights (115th Precinct). Died on January 20th (QNS.com) 
• Jun Sum Yim, 77, Pedestrian, killed January 10 on Parsons Boulevard near 32nd Avenue in Flushing (109th Precinct), hit and run (Streetsblog)
• Phil O’Reilly, 71, Pedestrian, killed on January 23 in crosswalk at Union Turnpike at 175th in Fresh Meadows (107th Precinct) (Streetsblog)
• Toolia Rambarose, 70, Pedestrian, killed on February 7 in crosswalk at Liberty Avenue and 135th Street in Richmond Hill (102nd Precinct (Streetsblog)
• Unidentified Female Pedestrian, 83, killed on February 14 in crosswalk on Woodside Avenue and 57th Street in Woodside (108th Precinct) (Streetsblog)
• Stephen Morales, 36, Cyclist, killed on February 19 on Runway Drive at Marine Terminal Road at LaGuardia Airport (115th Precinct), hit and run (Streetsblog)
• Elise Hellinger, 58, Pedestrian, killed by school bus on March 13 in crosswalk at 82nd Road and Kew Gardens Road in Kew Gardens (102nd Precinct) (Streetsblog)
• Giovanni Ampuero, 9, Pedestrian, killed on April 28 in crosswalk on 70th Street and Northern Boulevard in Jackson Heights (115th Precinct) (Streetsblog) 
• Unidentified Male Pedestrian, 54, killed on April 29 at 153rd Street near Hillside Avenue in Briarwood (107th Precinct), hit-and-run (New York Post)
• Abdul Jamil, 79, Pedestrian, killed on May 7 on Jewel Avenue at 150th St. in Kew Gardens (News) 
• Carlos Gavilanes, 47, Pedestrian, killed on May 21 on Northern Boulevard between 100th and 101st Streets in Jackson Heights (115th Precinct) (Streetsblog) 
• Aaron Padawee, 45, Cyclist, killed on May 29 on 21st Street and 46th Avenue in Astoria (108th Precinct), unlicensed driver (Streetsblog) 
• Madeline Sershen, 17, Pedestrian, killed on June 25 at Utopia Parkway and 16th Avenue in Whitestone (109th Precinct) (Streetsblog) 

In the 12 months ending June 2018, there have been 65 overall traffic fatalities in Queens, down 30% from the 93 people killed in 2013, the Vision Zero benchmark year. Citywide, there has been a 31% decline in fatalities.

Injuries. In the 12 months ending in June 2018, there have been 2,628 pedestrians injured in Queens by motor vehicles, a decline of 6% from the Vision Zero benchmark year, 2013. In the same time, there have been 818 injuries to cyclists, a decline of 1% since 2013. Overall, including motor vehicle occupants, there have been 18,207 people injured in motor vehicle crashes in Queens over the past year, up 17% since 2013. Citywide, there has been a 9% increase in injuries over this time. Across the city, there has been a general leveling off of injuries from vehicular crashes over the past 18 months, a pattern that is seen across every borough. But overall since 2013, Queens and the Bronx have seen the greatest percent increase in traffic-related injuries among the five boroughs.

Enforcement. Overall, while enforcement of speeding, red light running, and not giving right of way to pedestrians remains significantly higher than pre-Vision Zero levels, tickets issued for illegal cell phone use, an important contributor to distracted driving, remains sharply down. Overall, enforcement across all four categories in Queens is up 17% since 2013. Citywide, enforcement is up 26%.

Click here to download our full detailed report.

Last week, a driver struck and killed 9-year-old Giovanni Ampuero as he crossed Northern Boulevard in Jackson Heights.  The child was walking in the crosswalk holding his Mother’s hand, and had the right of way.  The driver left the scene of the crash and stopped ten blocks away after being chased down by another motorist.  He has been charged with leaving the scene, failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care.

On Saturday, community members joined Giovanni’s family to mourn the child’s death and to demand action to address the ongoing safety crisis on Northern Boulevard.  The vigil and march were led by Giovanni’s parents, grandmother, and brothers. Congressman Joseph Crowley, City Council Member Danny Dromm, and other community leaders spoke about the need for policy and design changes to make the city’s streets safer for everyone.  We thank the 115th Precinct for facilitating safe passage of the march.

Make Queens Safer, the Transportation Alternatives Queens Volunteer Committee, and Families For Safe Streets called for the following actions:

• The NYC Council needs to adopt the Vision Zero Design Standard to ensure that streets are designed by default to prevent dangerous driving and prioritize safety.
• The NYS Legislature must expand the use of Speed Safety Cameras and enact legislation this session in Albany.
• The NYS Legislature must increase penalties against hit-and-run drivers.
• The DOT/DOE must create Comprehensive School Traffic Safety Plans to ensure safe passage to and from school for all NYC school children.
• NYC needs to create a program providing support for families/victims of traffic violence via the office of the Public Advocate.

Here is some media coverage of the vigil:

Streetfilms, “Vigil for Giovanni Ampuero, 9-yr old killed on Northern Blvd” (May 6, 2018) 

Bill Parry, “Vigil scheduled for boy killed in Jackson Heights hit-and-run,” Times Ledger (May 4, 2018)

Univision, “Con una emotiva vigilia, homenajean al niño peruano que murió tras ser atropellado en Queens” (May 5, 2018) 

Shirley Chan, “Vigil held for 9-year-old boy killed in Queens hit-and-run,” PIX11 (May 6, 2018)

“Family calls for action during vigil for boy killed by hit and run driver in Queens,” ABC7 (May 6, 2018)

Jenna Bagcal, “‘One child’s death is too many’: After deadly Queens hit-and-run, advocates & lawmakers seek safety changes,” QNS.com (May 7, 2018)

The news was horrifying. Two children were mowed down and killed by a reckless driver in Park Slope. Their mothers were seriously injured, and a busting residential neighborhood all witnessed it in broad daylight. This terrifying tragedy could take place on any street in New York City and could affect any person. Traffic violence doesn’t discriminate. We’re all at risk. We all mourn Abigail Blumenstein and Joshua Lew, and vow to support their devastated families.

That it happened in Park Slope is a tough burden for the elected officials who represent the area, and the activists who have for years, fought for safer street design and protected bike lanes. In fact, the Mayor himself exercises daily at the YMCA a block from the crash scene. This is a neighborhood of family cyclists, commuters and vibrant neighbors.

Please join us for the NYC March for Safe Streets
Monday, March 12 at 6 PM – 7 PM
9th Street and Prospect Park West, Brooklyn

The final year of Mayor De Blasio’s first term, 2017, was also the fourth complete year of the Vision Zero era. We continued to see unacceptably dangerous conditions on our neighborhood streets, with growing traffic injuries and flagging enforcement efforts. But on the most important measure, traffic fatalities, 2017 saw continued progress in Queens.

Fatalities. 2017 was the fourth consecutive year of decline for traffic fatalities in Queens. Total traffic fatalities in Queens are down by 35 percent, from 93 fatalities in 2013 to 60 fatalities in 2017. Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities also declined for the fourth consecutive year, a total of 37 percent from 54 fatalities in 2013 to 34 fatalities in 2017. Citywide, there was a 27 percent reduction in fatalities over the same four year period.

The chart above shows the progress that has been made in reducing traffic fatalities in Queens.

A partial list of the neighbors that we lost in 2017 is provided here.

Injuries. In 2017, there were 2,641 pedestrians injured in Queens by motor vehicles, a decline of 6% from the Vision Zero benchmark year, 2013 (but an increase of 1.3% from 2016). There have been 906 injuries to cyclists, a rise of 10% since 2013. Overall, including motor vehicle occupants, there have been 17,971 people injured in motor vehicle crashes in Queens over the past year, up 16% since 2013. Citywide, there has been a 8% increase in injuries over this time.

Enforcement. Overall, while enforcement of speeding, red light running, and not giving right of way to pedestrians remains significantly higher than pre-Vision Zero levels, tickets issued for illegal cell phone use, an important contributor to distracted driving, remains sharply down. Overall, enforcement across all four categories in Queens is up 16% since 2013. Citywide, enforcement is up 30%. Overall, the level of enforcement according to these measures is up about 9% in Queens relative to last year, the first sustained increase we’ve seen in several years.

For its own Vision Zero analysis, the city tracks a broader list of six categories of traffic violations, including Improper Turn, and Disobey Sign/Traffic Control Device. With these additional categories included, a clearer trend toward greater enforcement can be seen since 2013 (see chart below).

We continue to urge our representatives in the state legislature to authorize more urgently needed traffic safety cameras for the city.  And we continue to urge the NYPD to continue to increase its focus on enforcement

Full detailed report, with results by community board, available here.

Over the next year, we’re pleased to be offering a series of family riding events in the areas of Jackson Heights, Corona, East Elmhurst and Elmhurst in the biking borough of Queens.

• Bike Rodeo events make games out of learning skills such as riding slow, turning and being aware of traffic.
• Giveways including first aid and safety  gear