New York Metropolis lately launched a brand new congestion cost for individuals who insist on driving into sure particularly crowded components of town, and up to now, it’s been going nice. There’s already much less visitors, buses are transferring quicker and New Jersey is mad. The wealthy are additionally mad. What extra may New Yorkers need? When you mentioned fewer wrecks, wouldn’t you realize it, you’re in luck. As a result of crashes and accidents are already down year-over-year, Streetsblog experiences.
Within the first 12 days of the congestion aid zone, which included 10 enterprise days and one weekend, there have been 90 wrecks and 37 wreck-related accidents. Over the identical 12-day interval final yr, the realm noticed 199 crashes and 76 accidents. It’s nonetheless early, so there’s no telling whether or not this pattern will proceed, however a 55-percent drop in crashes and a 51-percent drop in accidents is nothing to sneeze at. We’ll take that form of enchancment each day of the week and twice on Sundays.
That mentioned, 2024 was a little bit of an outlier in relation to crashes and accidents, so it’s potential the decline was much less drastic than it initially appeared. In 2023, although, that very same 12-day interval had 173 reported crashes and 51 crash-related accidents. In comparison with 2023, 2025 has seen a 48-percent drop in crashes and 27 % fewer accidents. Actually, the congestion zone has seen fewer wrecks than in 2021 and 2022 when the pandemic was nonetheless raging and folks had been driving much less.
MTA Coverage and Exterior Relations Chief John J. McCarthy didn’t sound stunned by the information, telling Streetsblog, “Appears logical that fewer autos, much less gridlock and calmer visitors circulate within the congestion aid zone would result in a lower in crashes and accidents.”
When you’re a New Yorker who would like to not be run over, that is, after all, nice information. A decrease probability of getting despatched to the hospital? Signal us up! On the similar time, although, gained’t somebody consider the poor physique store house owners who gained’t make as a lot cash now that individuals aren’t crashing as a lot? They want these wrecks to place meals on the desk, and with out them, what are they imagined to do? Purchase-a the pasta and-a the gabbagool with cleaner air and quieter streets?
Hospital executives’ bonuses is also on the road with fewer individuals getting injured, which up to now completely nobody is speaking about. How are the hospitals supposed to extend earnings each quarter and not using a regular provide of our bodies coming by means of? Clearly, Governor Hochul didn’t suppose this concept by means of the entire manner. Positive, New York is changing into a cleaner, quieter, much less harmful, extra gratifying metropolis, and he or she caught it to New Jersey, however at what price, I ask. At what price?
