Despite New York City experiencing its second-safest six-month period on record in traffic fatalities during the first half of 2025, Brooklyn continues to face a troubling rise in pedestrian deaths.
A report released on Tuesday by Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets reveals that 90 people died in traffic-related incidents across New York City from January to June 2025, marking a significant decrease compared to previous years, particularly compared to 2018.
The report attributes this decline largely to the introduction of congestion pricing along with enhanced safety infrastructure, such as the installation of protected bike lanes.
Notably, in Manhattan’s congestion relief zone, which encompasses areas south of 61st Street, there were no road fatalities involving drivers, passengers, moped riders, or motorcyclists this year.
Additionally, the report indicates that overall fatalities in this zone have decreased by 15% relative to the average during the Vision Zero initiative and have plummeted by 40% compared to the same timeframe in 2024.
However, Brooklyn stands out as an anomaly within the city’s otherwise decreasing fatality statistics.
In 2025, pedestrian and motorist fatalities in Brooklyn have risen 24% and 11%, respectively, above the Vision Zero-era average.
The report shows that more than two-thirds of the traffic deaths in Brooklyn involve pedestrians, painting a stark picture of street safety in the borough.
Tragically, among the six children killed this year, four lost their lives in Brooklyn due to vehicular crashes.
In one particularly devastating incident in April, a driver with a suspended license sped through an intersection in Midwood, colliding with two children and their mother who succumbed to her injuries.
Ben Furnas, the executive director of Transportation Alternatives, highlights the pressing need for implementing street safety projects, particularly in neighborhoods where such initiatives are still stalled.
A case in point is Bedford Avenue between Willoughby and Flushing Avenues, where plans for a protected bike lane remain uncertain due to ongoing legal disputes revolving around safety and community issues.
Furnas stated that New York City cannot afford to abandon effective safety enhancements like the Bedford Avenue bike lane or delay the implementation of crucial infrastructure like the 34th Street busway.
He emphasized that such choices will inevitably result in more crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
Looking forward, Furnas urged the city to reaffirm its commitment to strategies aimed at reducing speed limits, improving street design, and prioritizing life-saving measures.
Comparatively, the New York Police Department (NYPD) statistics resonate with the overall trends, indicating a 27% reduction in total traffic fatalities year-to-date compared to 2024.
However, it is noteworthy that while Brooklyn North has seen a 15.4% increase in traffic fatalities, the southern part of the borough has witnessed a 25% decline over the same period.
On the topic of Vision Zero, Furnas advocates for further investments, insisting on its efficacy in enhancing safety for everyone in the city, regardless of their mode of transportation.
He urged elected officials to maintain ongoing safety improvements, improve intersection visibility, and make greater use of state laws like Sammy’s Law, which reduces speed limits to 20 mph.
Furnas concluded by calling this report a crucial call to action for leaders to intensify efforts in saving lives on the streets.
image source from：amny
