There’s been a good deal of media attention given to a Vision Zero approach to reduce pedestrian fatalities on New York City streets. But, with new data showing pedestrian fatalities increasing in some places in the tri-state region, a Vision Zero approach must take root in the region as well.

According to data released last week by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle deaths in the United States increased last year, from 32,479 fatalities in 2011 to 33,561 deaths in 2012. But, pedestrian fatalities increased at a greater rate than motor vehicle deaths. In 2012, 4,743 pedestrians were killed on the nation’s roadways, a 6.4 percent increase from 2011 (4,457). As Streetsblog points out,“Pedestrian and bicyclist deaths rose faster than the overall rate [of motor vehicle deaths]— 6.4 and 6.5 percent, respectively…Walking and biking are becoming more dangerous relative to driving.”

While TSTC’s annual analysis, Most Dangerous Roads for Walking, will be released early 2014, preliminary analysis of the three years from 2009 through 2011 (the time period of our last analysis) and 2010 through 2012 shows mixed progress:

• Pedestrian deaths in New York City dropped from 451 to 420;
• Pedestrian deaths on Long Island increased from 194 to 210;
• Pedestrian deaths in downstate New York decreased from 702 to 683;
• Pedestrian deaths in Connecticut increased from 100 to 111;
• Pedestrian deaths in New Jersey increased from 440 to 442; and
• Pedestrian deaths in the tri-state region decreased from 1,242 to 1,236.

There’s been encouraging news in NYC where pedestrian fatalities have decreased as a result of the numerous traffic calming and pedestrian improvements made throughout the five boroughs. But, because pedestrian fatalities are preventable deaths, more must be done to further that reduction. Speakers at Tuesday morning’s packed Rudin Center/Transportation Alternatives panel, Closing the Enforcement Gap to Save Lives on NYC Streets discussed pedestrian safety in New York City and offered suggestions for Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio and the next police commissioner to achieve a “Vision Zero” goal. The panelists touched on a number of issues, such as the cultural norms that dictate how we think about pedestrian crashes, and how juries overwhelmingly identify with drivers — not pedestrians — in a motor vehicle-pedestrian crash court cases.

One dominant message resonated throughout the discussion: improved and more vigilant police enforcement must be part of a safety plan for NYC’s streets. Former New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton, (and a potential contender for the post in a de Blasio administration), discussed the importance of improved communication between police agencies and the public as a key criterion to tackling traffic fatalities and injuries. Richard Retting, the general manager and director of safety/research at Sam Schwartz Engineering, suggested additional ways to make streets safer. Retting highlighted proven safety techniques like pedestrian refuge islands, multi-way stop signs, increasing the intensity of street lights at night, left hand turn lights and automated speed enforcement that make streets self-enforcing.

Mayor-elect de Blasio has embraced a “Vision Zero” approach but other incoming electeds, throughout NYC and beyond, have been silent on the issue. With new ideas coming into new administrations, a serious plan to improve safety for all street users should be at the top of any list.