The Most Dangerous Intersections in New York City: Transportation Alternatives Unveils Map with Brand-New Data
Nearly three million people live within walking distance of one of these deadly intersections.
There are 118 intersections where five or more New Yorkers have been killed or seriously injured over the past three years.
Intro 1138, the universal daylighting bill which would bring safer intersections to New York City, is co-sponsored by 26 Council Members and the Public Advocate.
The City Council has less than two weeks to pass universal daylighting before the end of the term.
NEW YORK — Today, with less than two weeks left of this Council’s term, Transportation Alternatives, Families for Safe Streets, and Open Plans are revealing brand-new data on the most dangerous intersections in New York City.
This groundbreaking data reveals:
There are 118 intersections where five or more New Yorkers have been killed or seriously injured over the past three years, and nearly three million New Yorkers live within walking distance (a half mile) of one.
The most dangerous obstructed intersection in each borough:
Manhattan: West 120th Street & Lenox Avenue
Queens: Northern Boulevard & 48th Street
Brooklyn: Flatbush Avenue & Avenue H
The Bronx: Bruckner Boulevard & St. Ann’s Avenue
Staten Island: Hunton Street & Richmond Road
The council districts with the most dangerous intersections:
District 8, represented by Council Member Diana Ayala
District 17, represented by Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr.
District 3, represented by Council Member Erik Bottcher
District 33, represented by Council Member Lincoln Restler
District 41, represented by Council Member Darlene Mealy
The City Council is considering legislation that would improve obstructed intersections across the five boroughs. Intro 1138 would require universal daylighting at every intersection. Daylighting is the process of repurposing the curb space closest to an intersection to improve visibility for everyone. Today, most intersections in New York City allow parking all the way up to the crosswalk — meaning pedestrians can’t see drivers, and drivers can’t see pedestrians until they’re in the middle of the road.
Despite being introduced 369 days ago, and having a hearing 232 days ago, the bill still hasn’t been called for a vote. Over 1,800 New Yorkers have been killed or seriously injured at intersections since the bill’s introduction, and over 200 local organizations have come out in support of the bill.
“We can’t afford to wait any longer for safe intersections,” said Ben Furnas, Executive Director at Transportation Alternatives. “Every day, over a million students go to schools across New York City, and every day they have to cross dangerous intersections. Speaker Adams is sitting on legislation that could transform our city into one where it’s safer for everyone to get around, but she needs to call the vote. It’s time to decide: does she want her legacy to be obstruction and danger, or better and safer streets for children.”
“In 2017, I was struck by a turning driver in Lower Manhattan, leaving me with extremely painful physical injuries and trauma that has stayed with me until today,” said Families for Safe Streets New York co-chair Kate Brockwehl. "Obstructed intersections lead to preventable crashes that kill and seriously injure New Yorkers every day. Our representatives in the City Council must act now to pass Intro 1138 so that these intersections are made safe and the next horrific, life-altering crash is prevented."
“Deadly and dangerous crashes overwhelmingly happen at intersections. In our district, we have identified over 100 intersections that require daylighting to improve safety for children, older adults and all pedestrians in our neighborhoods - but there has been essentially no action by DOT. The time has come to pass universal daylighting, so that drivers and pedestrians have better visibility to prevent crashes and save lives,” said Council Member Lincoln Restler.
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