We overlooked a report on fatal pedestrian accidents in New York City that was released last spring. Titled “Pedestrian Fatalities in New York City 2009 – 2011: Preliminary Findings,” much of the information is still applicable despite the data being at least three years old. A summary follows:
· Pedestrian deaths represented 55 percent of New York City traffic fatalities in the years studied.
· In the years studied, there were between 250 and 275 traffic fatalities annually.
· Male pedestrian were more likely to be killed than female pedestrians – 62% of fatalities were among men.
· The number of fatalities in each borough was proportional to the population. For example, 31 percent of the NYC population lives in Brooklyn; 30 percent of all fatalities occurred in Brooklyn.
· People over 65 were more likely to be killed in traffic accidents than younger pedestrians.
· White and African-American New Yorkers were more likely to be killed than Hispanic pedestrians.
· Of the pedestrians killed who were tested for blood alcohol content (BAC), 20 percent had a measurable BAC.
· More pedestrians were killed from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM than at other times during the day. This is even more pronounced for pedestrians with measurable BAC.
· The largest number of people killed was crossing with the light and in the crosswalk.
· Pedestrians with alcohol in their systems were more likely to be killed crossing mid-block or against the signal.
The researchers involved in the study were from two city agencies: NYC Department of Transportation (NYCDOT), Office of Research and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Bureau of Environmental Disease Prevention, Injury Surveillance Prevention Program. The study results were released May 24, 2013.