NYC Has a Vision for Friendlier Streets

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Mayor de Blasio has proposed making an already age-friendly New York City even friendlier by increasing funding for the Vision Zero initiative as part of his preliminary city budget.

This is great news.

Our roadways and alternative transportation options must keep pace with the rapid aging of our city and nation. Improving the safety of our pedestrians is key to this goal.

Vision Zero aims to reduce traffic fatalities across the city, and last year was the safest on record — between the launch of the program in 2013 and 2016 the number of traffic deaths had dropped by 23%.

Mayor de Blasio showed this week that he believes we can do even better, and we should.

In Brooklyn on Wednesday, the Mayor proposed a $1.6 billion investment over the next five years, with $400 million in the next fiscal year. He outlined a combination of physical changes to our roadways and better enforcement of existing traffic laws by the NYPD – including 100% crossing guard coverage at city schools and better signal timings to allow people to cross streets safely.

These are essential improvements that would keep our city safe, friendly and livable for all ages. They’re a big deal for people in their everyday lives.

A 2013 survey conducted by AARP showed that about seven in 10 city voters 50 and over identified heavy traffic, cars not yielding to pedestrians, and streets that need repair as problems. Over half cited traffic lights timed too fast for pedestrian crossing, and narrow, poorly lit, broken or nonexistent sidewalks.

And we know this is an issue of particular importance to older New Yorkers, who have higher rates of severe injury and fatalities when struck by vehicles, according to the DOT. We were glad to hear that senior pedestrian deaths have seen a 12% decline from the pre-Vision Zero rate.

To further this effort, DOT has a comprehensive seniors outreach program working with seniors, including visiting senior centers, to talk about the conditions that lead to crashes and to solicit concerns from older New Yorkers.

Improving safety on our streets is critical to improving the quality of life for New Yorkers and providing an incentive for them to stay here. AARP applauds the Mayor for leading the charge.