New York City is great for pedestrians and bicyclists. You can walk or bike to almost anything you need, and it’s hard to get truly lost (especially in Manhattan). But over 220,000 pedestrians and cyclists were injured in accidents on the city streets between 1995 and 2009, and 155 were killed in 2012 alone. Just a few weeks ago, three pedestrians and a bicyclist died in separate accidents over two days. Watch out when crossing the street at five of the most dangerous intersections in New York.
Broadway and West 96th Street, Manhattan
This intersection saw three fatalities over two days in January 2014. It also had 25 bicycle accidents between 1995 and 2009. The city has worked aggressively at this intersection to limit jaywalking, one of the causes of the accidents, but drivers share the blame too.
Park Avenue and East 33rd Street, Manhattan
This corner saw 163 pedestrian crashes between 1995 and 2009, over 50 more than Manhattan’s next-most dangerous. Just south of the Park Avenue tunnel, this is a corner to be avoided!
(Photo by Jeffrey Zeldman)
Lexington Avenue and East 125th Street, Manhattan.
15 children were struck in 81 crashes here between 1995 and 2009, more than anywhere else in Manhattan. Traffic volume, sidewalk overcrowding, the large number of buses, and subway-related crowds all contribute – but little has been done to address the problems.
Utica Avenue and Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn
There were 141 pedestrian crashes at this Brooklyn street between 1995 and 2009 — plus a frightening hit-and-run accident this past December and a shooting in 2012.
Webster Avenue and East Fordham Road, Bronx
New York Magazine’s pick for the worst intersection in New York finishes up our list. Eroded lane markers and crosswalks – and a 70-foot-wide street with no median –contributed to making this New York’s most dangerous intersection by accident count in 2008. There were 123 crashes involving pedestrians at this Bronx intersection between 1995 and 2009, as well as a scary hit-and-run in 2012.
For your safety, follow all traffic laws and avoid jaywalking – and be especially careful about crossing against the light or mid-block. You don’t want to be the next statistic!
Editor’s Note: We updated this article to enhance readability.
