New York State sees increase in motor vehicle fatalities; report

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) —There has been an increase in motor vehicle deaths in New York State, according to the NYS Comptroller’s Office.

The new report says there were 1,175 traffic-related deaths in 2022, the highest since 2013. Furthermore, while nationwide traffic deaths jumped by 17%, New York’s increased higher by 25.8% from 2019 to 2022. In the Finger Lakes region, the fatality rate is 7.5%.

The highest fatality rate involving vehicles per capita in the state is the North Country at 12.9, and the Capital Region comes in at 10.7. The lowest fatality rate involving vehicles is New York City at 2.9.

The report also found that 64% of victims in fatal accidents were not wearing a seat belt or helmet. One in three deaths involved speeding and another one in three involved drivers having a blood alcohol content over the legal limit.

The state government recently allocated over $600 million for the Highway Safety Improvement Program, as well as passing laws to reduce speed limits in New York City. Recently, New York expanded the Move Over Law to include all cars stopped on the roadway.

The report indicates New York could consider giving local governments more of a say in their speed limits to reduce traffic fatalities.

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