New York vows to improve safety for older pedestrians

New York City’s Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced new plans to help reduce pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries among older people.

Through a new study – Pedestrian Safety and Older New Yorkers – the department is examining how existing roadway factors contribute to collisions involving people aged 65 and over, and announced new initiatives aimed at bolstering safety for those most at risk.

Despite representing just 15 percent of the city’s population, the over-65s account for 45 percent of all pedestrian fatalities, the report found.

Data also revealed that traffic turn calming treatments can reduce the number of severe injuries and deaths among older pedestrians by up to 60 percent.

“We recently convinced Albany to allow us to operate our speed cameras 24/7, but we have even more work to do,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

“Because the lives of the oldest New Yorkers are so precious, we are going to also work around the clock to protect them – being relentless in our pursuit of street safety – including safer designs.”

Calming traffic

The report noted that while crashes do not necessarily occur more often for senior pedestrians, they are more likely to be seriously injured when struck.

The city has identified Senior Pedestrian Zones, which will receive various roadway safety improvements over the next several years, with the DOT planning to implement ‘turn calming treatments’ at 50 intersections annually within the zones.

Additionally, the DOT will expand the amount of Leading Pedestrian Intervals – which give pedestrians a head start before the traffic light changes – within various zones by 2024.

“Crashes do not necessarily occur more often to older pedestrians, but we have found that when they do happen, the crashes are far deadlier,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez.

“That is why we must make the areas around senior centres even safer, building safer streets that are inclusive to all New Yorkers – but especially those who are most vulnerable.

“Data is always at the forefront of our work, and this study allows us to make targeted investments that will save the lives of seniors citywide.”

In January 2022, transport non-profit Transportation Alternatives reported that traffic accidents killed 273 people in New York City in 2021 – a 33 percent increase compared to 2018.

The report also highlighted an alarming increase in hit and runs, which doubled since 2018, and a 42 percent increase in pedestrian fatalities involving SUVs.

Image: Roman Kruglov (Flickr)