BREAKING: NYC Traffic Deaths Rising

(UPDATED WITH NYC DOT RESPONSE) The number of traffic fatalities in New York City is up 23 percent.

The Mayor's Management Report says there were 291 traffic fatalities between July 2011 and June 2012. The previous year, there were 236 traffic deaths.

Of the 291 people killed in city traffic in the period covered by the report, 115 were drivers or passengers and 176 were bicyclists or pedestrians. The year before, those numbers were 78 and 158 respectively.

According to the report, "speeding, driving while intoxicated, and running red lights/stop signs were the most common contributing factors, accounting for 54 percent of motorist/passenger fatalities."

Overall, the actual number of traffic crashes in the city were down over two years -- 176,482 versus 179,112.

The increase in fatalities comes after several years of lower numbers. The report says total traffic fatalities in New York are down 20 percent since 2003.

New York City DOT spokesman Seth Solomonow said "this underscores the importance of our sustained safety campaigns targeting speeding, drunk and distracted driving...and it’s also behind our push for legislation in Albany to expand red-light cameras and install the city’s first speed cameras." He added that "despite the increase, traffic fatalities remain at their lowest levels in the city’s history and overall traffic crashes decreased last FY to historic lows."

 

Download the full report hereor see below.
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