How Safe is NYC Compared With Other Big Cities for Pedestrians?

There are many incredible reasons to live in New York, but safety concerns often prevent people from moving about. A rise in subway crimes has instilled a fear of returning to the office, and driving can come with its own frustrations. With that said, is NYC a safe place for pedestrians?

Contacting an Expert Lawyer if You’re Hit by a Vehicle

If you were hit by a motor vehicle, it’s in your best interest to contact an award-winning team of pedestrian accident lawyers like Munley Law. Even if you don’t feel hurt or you’re able to walk away from the scene, there’s a possibility your injuries are worse than you initially thought.

A lawyer can represent you in court, help you collect evidence, and ensure you receive compensation for your injuries. A head injury, broken bone, or internal wound could make it impossible for you to work for some time, and a settlement will help keep you comfortable.

New York City’s Pedestrian Safety Index

According to the New York City Pedestrian Safety and Action Plan released in 2010, New York City had a staggeringly low pedestrian fatality rate. Of 100,000 residents, 3.49 were killed. Still, pedestrians accounted for 52% of New York traffic fatalities and 33% of all severe injuries.

In this same paper, Atlanta, Detroit, Lost Angeles, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Chicago, Washington, DC, San Francisco, Boston, and Seattle had higher pedestrian fatality rates. Only Portland had a lower pedestrian fatality rate than New York at 3.39 per 100,000 residents.

In 2019 and 2020, New York achieved a .90 per 100,000 residences fatality rate, but 2021 saw a 15.5% increase in pedestrian deaths to 1.04 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 people. New York had the fourth-highest rise in pedestrian fatalities from 2020-2021, from 10 to 55.

How Does New York City Compare to Other US Cities?

New York City isn’t the safest city for pedestrians, but it also isn’t the most dangerous. In 2021, most US cities saw their pedestrian safety rating and pedestrian fatalities increase significantly.

America is Becoming Unsafe for Pedestrians

Pedestrian fatalities are the highest they’ve been since 1982 for four reasons. For one, the US is lacking sidewalks and favors drivers. Unlike many European cities, it’s difficult to get anywhere without a car. But if you can’t afford a car, you have to put up with public transit or walk on the grass or road. Most US drivers won’t yield or stop for bicycles or strollers. 

This infrastructure forces more people to drive, which puts more dangerous or neglectful people behind the wheel. Distracted driving and speed limit offenses are more common than ever. 

If you can’t afford to drive, you typically live in more dangerous or rundown neighborhoods, where the bus system is subpar, or roads are difficult to drive on. This means more people are walking, drivers who drive these roads may be aggressive, or the roads make it hard to stop.

Finally, the number of trucks and SUVs on the road outnumbers passenger cars. The biggest cars on the road tend to be more deadly, but little is being done to curb their sale.

The Safest Cities for Pedestrians in 2021

Despite these findings, there are plenty of safe places in the US for Americans to walk. An Insurify survey revealed that an average of 66.3 out of 100,000 drivers across 80 cities had a prior citation for failing to yield to pedestrians, and every region has four cities in the top 20.

The top 5 safest cities for pedestrians in the US include:

  • Portland, Oregon: 27.6 per 100,000
  • Chicago, Illinois: 43.7 per 100,000
  • Miami, Florida: 40.2 per 100,000
  • Newark, New Jersey: 37.1 per 100,000
  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: 17.2 per 100,000 motorists

New York City wasn’t in the top 20, but Buffalo, New York, has a 49.6 per 100,000 failing to yield rating, which is 25% lower than the national average. Chesapeake, Virginia, was the most dangerous city for pedestrians in the US, with a 155.2 out of every 100,000 failing to yield rating.

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