New York had fewer fatal crashes in the first 10 months of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, citing preliminary data from the University at Albany’s Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research, reported that fatalities in crashes decreased from 766 in the first 10 months of 2024 to 681 this year.
The data also shows that deaths in motorcycle crashes dropped from 157 to 134 in one year.
Fatalities in upstate New York crashes decreased from 490 to 420, a 14.2% drop. However, there was a slight increase on Long Island — the number of people killed in vehicle crashes rose from 103 to 110. More bicyclists and pedestrians were struck and killed by vehicles there, according to the committee.
Mark Schroeder, who serves as commissioner of the state Department of Motor Vehicles and chairs the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, highlighted marketing campaigns to boost traffic safety and targeted enforcement efforts to combat distracted and drunk driving.
“While the declines in fatal crashes are dramatic and wonderful to see, it is critically important that we continue our efforts to reduce them further,” Schroeder said. “Any life lost on our roads is one too many. Our message to all New Yorkers is to drive safely, do not drive impaired, keep your mobile devices out of reach and concentrate on the road in front of you.”
One initiative that aims to boost traffic safety in New York is the state Department of Transportation’s Safe System Approach Toward Zero Deaths. The goal is to minimize the risk of human error and potential fatalities or serious injuries in vehicle crashes.
Marie Therese Dominguez, commissioner of the state Department of Transportation, noted that safety is a priority for the agency.
“The reduction in fatal crashes is significant and we are grateful to the work of our team here at New York State DOT who work every day to advance our Safe System Approach Toward Zero Deaths, as well as the collaboration with our partners in state government,” Dominguez said.