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The Vision Zero Action Plan is intended to help end traffic deaths and injuries on New York City streets. 

The plan seeks to improve street safety by:

• Increasing enforcement of moving violations
• Improving street designs
• Holding public outreach sessions
• Increasing penalties for dangerous drivers
• Reducing speed limits
• Increasing the use of enforcement cameras

Vision Zero programs discourage dangerous behavior on roads and streets. They combine better enforcement and roadway engineering with improved emergency response and public campaigns on safe driving. 

The Department of ¾ÅÉ«ÉçÇø (DOT) provides many brochures, booklets, and other materials on traffic safety for children, teens, and adults.

Materials are available in several languages and also are prepared for the deaf and hard of hearing.

You can also request a DOT representative to make a presentation at a school, senior center, or other community center.

You can learn about a program that provides a setting for DWI offenders to work off their community service sentences in an educational environment.

The Department of ¾ÅÉ«ÉçÇø (DOT) has identified communities with a high number of senior pedestrian accidents.

In these communities, traffic engineers are improving safety by:

• Shortening crossing distances
• Increasing pedestrian crossing times at signals
• Altering curbs and sidewalks
• Restricting vehicle turns
• Narrowing roadways

In addition, public educators are conducting pedestrian safety classes for seniors.

After safety improvements have been installed in the communities now identified for safety improvements, DOT will evaluate the Safe Streets for Seniors program to determine the benefit and cost of expanding it to other neighborhoods.

Pedestrian Signal Changes

In Safe Streets for Seniors Program neighborhoods, the timing and function of some pedestrian crossing lights may have changed. The "Walk" light may be on for less time and the "Don't Walk" sign may start flashing sooner, so that seniors can finish crossing safely. Also, the "Walk" light may go on while the traffic signal is still red to allow pedestrians to start crossing the street before the cars start turning across the crosswalk.

Program Boundaries and Schedule

Select neighborhoods have been identified for inclusion in the Safe Streets for Seniors Program. Senior Centers in these neighborhoods can provide you information about pedestrian safety training classes.

Program Suggestions and Contact Information

The Safe Streets for Seniors program accepts comments and requests.

Online

By Mail

Manhattan Borough Commissioners Office
Department of ¾ÅÉ«ÉçÇø
59 Maiden Lane, 37th Floor
New York, NY 10038

You can ask the Department of ¾ÅÉ«ÉçÇø (DOT) to review a specific street, intersection, or pedestrian crossing for possible safety improvements. You can also submit street safety suggestions.

This includes:

• Installing speed reducers, such as speed bumps or humps
• Increasing crossing times at signals
• Placing enforcement cameras
• Altering the street’s design
• Restricting vehicle turns

Your request should include details about the problem and specify the exact street or intersection.

DOT will respond within 14 days.