Motor vehicle collisions are the number one cause of unintentional death to children under age 14, killing more children annually than poisoning, falls and fire combined.

Approximately half those killed each year in motor vehicle crashes in our city are pedestrians. Of these, adults aged 65 and over account for one third; a disproportionately high number since they make up only one tenth of the city’s population.

Although the number of annual traffic fatalities is declining, over 350 New Yorkers are killed annually while traveling on our city’s streets and thousands are more seriously injured.

Traffic Safety for New York City, Inc. was established in 1989 to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities to New Yorkers. We do this by supporting innovative traffic safety educational programs targeting those at high risk for involvement in collisions. This highly effective strategy reversed the 1980s trend of rising annual traffic fatalities. Since 1990 we have seen a continual decline in the number of annual traffic deaths with a total decrease of 45% since our programs were implemented. In addition, the rate of pedestrian injuries to children aged 5 to 14 has declined by 36% since 1990.

Despite the strides we have made over the past decade, traffic fatalities and injuries continue to be daily occurrences in our city. We face the constant challenge of reaching out to those who most need our help in a large and diverse population. Yet, we must continue to support and expand programs that provide those at risk with the means to develop lifelong habits of safe behavior. Your tax deductible donation will help us to continue to save lives and prevent serious injuries on New York City streets.