Our Challenge to You

The primary mission of government is to protect the public. New York’s families deserve and expect safe streets. But today in New York, approximately 4,000 New Yorkers are seriously injured and more than 250 are killed each year in traffic crashes. Being struck by a vehicle is the leading cause of injury-related death for children under 14, and the second-leading cause for seniors. On average, vehicles seriously injure or kill a New Yorker every two hours.

Making ours the world’s safest big city will require more than government policy and programs. It will take citizen action from the grassroots up. The emergence of new neighborhood-based traffic safety initiatives is an extremely hopeful sign that New York is already on the right track. The promise of Vision Zero will require constant input and feedback from citizens and civic organizations. It demands the participation by the State legislature and lawmakers, industries, companies and authorities that operate large numbers of vehicles.

Vision Zero also needs each and every New Yorker to become aware of the new public discourse on street safety, to appreciate the consequences of careless and dangerous behavior, and to do their part to lend civility and consideration to the daily life and rhythm on the streets of our city.