Vision Zero: On a Much Safer Grand Concourse in the Bronx, De Blasio Administration Officials From DOT, NYPD and TLC Announce Actions to Discourage Drunk Driving

May 25, 2017

NYPD will be out in force for DWI enforcement Memorial Day weekend around the five boroughs; “Know Your Limit” campaign will offer $10 off cab rides on Friday and Saturday night

NEW YORK— As part of the de Blasio Administration’s City Hall in Your Borough, DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, NYPD Transportation Chief Thomas Chan, and TLC Commissioner Meera Joshi announced several Vision Zero-related announcements on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx.  They noted dramatic safety improvements along the Grand Concourse and announced Memorial Day weekend initiatives to discourage drinking and driving, including DWI enforcement and a new program to offer discounted cab rides -- via the Curb app -- over the holiday weekend. 

“Last week, we went to Queens Boulevard to announce the tremendous strides made in reducing fatalities and injuries on a street once known as the ‘Boulevard of Death,’” said Mayor de Blasio.  “As City Hall in Your Borough comes to the Bronx, the Vision Zero news from the Grand Concourse is just as impressive: after major design changes by DOT, the street has seen dramatically fewer serious crashes and has also gone over two years without a fatality.  But we have so much more work to do, and so as we start a holiday weekend, we remind New Yorkers of our efforts -- using both the carrot and the stick -- to keep everyone safe this weekend.  We want to make sure that your holiday celebrations do not combine drinking and driving.”

The DOT, NYPD, and TLC today made the following Vision Zero announcements:

The New Grand Concourse:  DOT released safety statistics for the Grand Concourse, which had been named a Vision Zero Priority Corridor for its high-crash history. In 2015, DOT began a major street redesign that shortened pedestrian crossings, added more pedestrian refuges, and calmed traffic.  With legislative changes, DOT also lowered the street’s speed limit to 25 MPH and installed speed cameras at school zones along the street.  Speed cameras have successfully reduced speeding within school zones along the Grand Concourse -- by 70 percent.  The dramatic results suggest improved safety for all roadway users.

• Comparing the period 2011-14 to 2016-17, the Grand Concourse saw its average annual number of crashes with injuries decline from 220 to 133, a 40 percent reduction.  Pedestrian injuries dropped by 48 percent.

• Between 1990 and 2015, the Grand Concourse had 103 traffic fatalities, including seven deaths in 2013.  However, the Grand Concourse’s last fatality was April 5, 2015 – 781 days ago.

The de Blasio Administration has committed to making the DOT design changes permanent as part of a $164 million capital plan investment currently being undertaken by the Department of Design and Construction (DDC).  The five-phase project, now in its second phase, is reconstructing and beautifying this major Bronx boulevard for a total of 3.5 miles from East 161st Street to East 198th Street. 

DWI Enforcement Citywide: DOT data show that DWI-related traffic fatalities show a dramatic increase in the period between Memorial Day and Independence Day.  In the six weeks between May 25 and July 6, the rate of fatal alcohol-involved crashes increases by 55%, compared to the rest of the year with an average of one in four annual fatal DWI crashes happening during this six-week period.

Recognizing this increased seasonal danger, NYPD will be focused on finding and arresting intoxicated drivers this holiday weekend.  The focus on DWI will be down to the precinct level, including through the use of random checkpoints.

“Know Your Limit” Campaign, including $10 Off Rides via Curb App:  “Know Your Limit” is an on-street campaign educating New Yorkers about the dangers of drinking and driving. At locations around New York City this week, NYPD and the NYC DOT Street Teams will distribute information about DWI and discuss other issues connected to Vision Zero.  NYPD officers will invite the public to try a breathalyzer test if they have been drinking --and believe they are not above the legal limit for driving. Rewards of free Metrocards are given to those who try the test.

When enjoying a night on the town, New Yorkers should always plan ahead, especially because New York City already provides thousands of designated drivers – taxi drivers, bus drivers, and subway conductors.  As another element of the “Know Your Limit” campaign, New Yorkers will be encouraged to book a safe ride home on the new Curb app. 

Beginning Memorial Day Weekend, users using a promotional code will get $10 off rides booked through the app, available at gocurb.com/app, connecting users to over 13,000 licensed NYC taxis.   A limited number of promotional codes will be available on Friday and Saturday nights from 10pm to 4am for the next four weekends.  To redeem the discount, riders simply download and register the Curb app.  Enter the promo code in the payments section and a $10 credit will be applied to the rider's fare for one ride on a designated weekend night.  Promo codes will be distributed this weekend by Street Teams in the Bronx, as well as at partnering local establishments and other locations across the City.

“Here in the Bronx, I salute the DOT planners, engineers and construction crews who dedicated themselves to creating a new Grand Concourse, successfully making one of New York City’s Great Streets dramatically safer,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “As part of Mayor de Blasio’s Vision Zero efforts, the dramatic decline in crashes and fatalities here is definitely something to celebrate this week.  And speaking of celebrations, we look forward to working with our partners at the NYPD to make sure everyone has fun -- but does so safely -- this Memorial Day weekend.”

“Vision Zero has increased safety on the streets of the Bronx,” said NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill. “The Grand Concourse has seen a dramatic reduction in collision-related injuries, and there hasn’t been a fatal collision in more than two years. While it is encouraging, we still have more work to do. Officers will be out in force over Memorial Day Weekend to conduct vehicle safety checkpoints and DWI enforcement. The NYPD and its Vision Zero partners encourage you to enjoy the holiday weekend, but be warned: NYPD officers will arrest anyone who drives while impaired or intoxicated. Take mass transit or have a designated driver.”   

“Just as the TLC is making sure our taxi and for-hire drivers ‘know their limit’ with regard to fatigued driving, we cannot understate the critical importance of combating drunk driving,” said Taxi and Limousine Commissioner Meera Joshi.  “We can celebrate in the knowledge that our Vision Zero efforts have made our streets safer, even as we assure our licensees and their tens of millions of customers that we will keep that progress going.”

“The Department of Design and Construction shares Mayor de Blasio’s goals for a safe and equitable City and continually works with DOT to implement Vision Zero strategies, including on the Grand Concourse,” said DDC Commissioner Feniosky Peña-Mora. “We support DWI enforcement as a critical element of traffic safety, and urge New Yorkers to drive carefully at all times.”

"As the summer begins, we love to see more New Yorkers out and about enjoying the weather, however we also know this time of year there are more drunk drivers on the road, especially on holiday weekends”, said City Council Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez. “Drivers need to know that if they drive drunk, they'll be caught and punished for their dangerous actions and I'm glad DOT and NYPD are stepping up enforcement this weekend."

"The implementation of Vision Zero on the Grand Concourse has helped us to drastically reduce the danger to drivers and pedestrians in our borough", said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. "I commend the New York City Police Department and the Department of Transportation for taking additional steps to improve the safety of our streets by implementing an initiative that will discourage drinking and driving. By working together, we can continue preventing the loss of life and serious injury from traffic accidents." 

"The Grand Concourse has seen a dramatic improvement in driver and pedestrian safety since Mayor de Blasio implemented the Vision Zero program. Crashes with injuries have reduced by 40% and pedestrian injuries have almost been cut in half along the Grand Concourse. Many thanks to Mayor de Blasio, DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg and NYPD Transportation Chief Thomas Chan for their commitment to protecting New Yorkers and helping everyone stay safe this holiday weekend." said State Senator Jose Serrano.

“This Memorial Day Weekend, we remain vigilant in our efforts to crackdown on impaired and drunk driving,” said Congressman Adriano Espaillat. “Mayor de Blasio’s Vision Zero has had a significant impact on preventing traffic fatalities and injuries across our city and will serve an even greater purpose this holiday weekend as we work to keep our roads safe by discouraging drunk driving with DWI checkpoints and discounted cab rides. I commend Commissioner Trottenberg, Chief Chan, and everyone who worked on this effort to keep our communities safe this holiday weekend.”

“Drinking and driving is never a good combination,” said Council Member Vanessa Gibson. “As this holiday weekend approaches, I urge New Yorkers celebrate responsibly and safely. I thank DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg and NYPD Transportation Chief Thomas Chan for their efforts to protect the community from intoxicated drivers and thank them for their commitment to the safety of all New Yorkers.”

"With barbecues in full swing and lots of festivities happening in the Bronx this Memorial Day Weekend, it's important to know your limit," said Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr. "It's important to know the dangers of drinking and driving, which is why I commend the NYPD and city leaders in taking the necessary steps to keep all of us safe this weekend." 

About Vision Zero
In January 2017, after three successive years of declines in traffic fatalities, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced New York City would make an additional $400 million investment in Vision Zero – for a total of $1.6 billion over the next five years. DOT is implementing its most aggressive street redesign safety program, an increased investment in street redesign and traffic-calming measures citywide. Other Vision Zero changes announced by the Mayor include ensuring NYPD crossing guards at every post, faster replacement of street markings, intersection upgrades in the bike-lane network, more left-turn calming efforts, brighter lighting and more equipment at each police precinct to catch speeding.

For more information about the de Blasio Administration’s Vision Zero initiative, please see www.nyc.gov/visionzero