BK Sees 'Most Alarming' Traffic Fatality Increase Of NYC: Study

BROOKLYN, NY — In a record-breaking summer for traffic deaths in New York City, no borough saw more of an increase than Brooklyn, according to a new study.

Not only have more people died on Brooklyn's streets between June and August than any other summer under Mayor Bill de Blasio's leadership, but the first nine months of 2021 have had more traffic fatalities than all 12 months of past years in the borough, the Transportation Alternatives study found.

The data underscores a trend that has plagued all five boroughs this year.

"While traffic violence is increasing across New York City, the sharpest and most alarming increase has been in Brooklyn," the researchers wrote.

Traffic deaths hit a summer-high in de Blasio's time in office in both Brooklyn and citywide.

All told, 77 people died from June to August, 23 of whom died on Brooklyn's streets, according to the study.

In all of 2021, through the end of September, 63 people have died in the borough, a 40 percent jump than the average by this point in the year during the de Blasio era, the study found.

The crashes are spread throughout the borough, though more than 20 have occurred in Northern Brooklyn, including 10 in Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights, according to Crash Mapper.

The overall numbers are even more alarming when compared to past years. The fatalities so far in 2021 surpassed the total fatalities for all 12 months of 2020, 2018, 2017 and 2016, according to the study.

Specifically for motorist and passenger fatalities, Brooklyn has surpassed the number of deaths not only in 2019, 2018 and 2017, but all of 2015 and 2016 combined, the study found.

The researchers noted that one reason for the skyrocketing number of fatalities is an increase in the number of SUVs in the borough. The number of SUVs owned by Brooklynites increased by 25 percent from 2016 to 2020, according to a previous Transportation Alternatives study.

Pedestrians struck by SUVs are 2.5 to 3 times more likely to be killed, according to the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration.

Transportation Alternatives contends the study shows the next mayor must commit to proactive street safety measures, including NYC 25x25 — a plan to give back 25 percent of city streetspace to people rather than cars by 2025.