Photo via Flickr/Erik Drost

Photo via Flickr/Erik Drost

New York City has reported that the first six months of 2017 marked the lowest number of traffic-related fatalities on city streets ever measured. Through June 30, there were 93 total fatalities, the first time fatalities have come in at below 100 for this time period.

The city attributes this to its Vision Zero efforts. The program aims to make streets safer and eliminate traffic-related deaths and serious injuries. Initiatives have included improvements to street design and traffic policy as well as expanded education and enforcement.

The city’s fleet also has positive numbers to report. In 2014, as Vision Zero was just starting, there were eight fatalities involving non-emergency city vehicles. In the two and a half years since, there have been two traffic fatalities involving non-emergency city vehicles, and neither involved standard traffic situations, the Department of Citywide Administrative Services reported.

Improving fleet operator safety has contributed to the overall reduction in fatalities. Initiatives to improve fleet safety include training drivers, tracking speed, installing truck sideguards, and banning hands-free cell phone use.

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