New Harvard Traffic Study Finds Black Cyclists Die 4.5 Times More Often than White Cyclists
New Harvard Traffic Study Finds Black Cyclists Die 4.5 Times More Often than White Cyclists
“The Center for Disease Control (CDC) considers increases in motor-vehicle safety one of the greatest public health achievements of the 21st century, with the annual death rate declining from 18 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled to 1.7 per 100 million VMT in 1997, a 90% decrease. However, traffic-related tragedies are still prevalent, particularly in major cities such as New York, and new research has found that there are significant disparities in the distribution of traffic fatalities between ethnic groups in the United States.” Glenn A. Herman, NYC Bike Accident Lawyer.
The 2022 study was conducted by researchers at Harvard University and Boston University and was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, which is the official journal of the American College of Preventive Medicine and the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research and focuses on prevention research, teaching, practice, and policy.
Researchers used the 2017 National Household Travel Survey to estimate person-miles traveled by different racial and ethnic groups using different modes of transport. They used data from the U.S. Fatality Analysis Reporting systems from 2016-2018 to calculate a three-year average of traffic fatalities for each racial or ethnic group and subgroup. The figures were then used to calculate fatality rates per mile.
The study had several main findings:
Black cyclists suffered approximately 34 deaths per 100 million miles traveled on bicycle, 4.5 times higher than White cyclists, who died 7.5 times for every 100 million bicycle miles.
Black pedestrians died at a rate 2.2 times higher per mile walked than White pedestrians.
Black vehicle drivers and passengers died 1.8 times more often as their White counterparts.
Hispanic cyclists and pedestrians were also found to be at higher risk of death, with hispanic cyclists dying 70% more often than White cyclists and hispanic pedestrians dying 52% more than White pedestrians.
The opposite was true of Asian Americans. Asian cyclists died 64% less often than White cyclists, while Asian pedestrians died 45% less than White pedestrians.
Furthermore, Black pedestrians were even more likely to die after dark — 3.4 times more likely to die than White pedestrians walking after dark.
“Traffic fatalities are a substantial and preventable public health challenge in America that disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic Americans,” said the researchers, “This analysis reveals that observed disparities by race/ethnicity in traffic fatalities are even greater than previously thought after accounting for differences in activity levels.”
Past studies have found that Indigenous Americans are by far the most likely to be killed by a traffic accident while walking. The researchers highlight several structural issues that may contribute to the findings.
In the first nine months of 2021, 31,720 people were killed in car crashes, a 12% increase since 2020, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
This was the highest annual percentage increase since 1975, which is when the Fatality Analysis Reporting System began collecting data.
At least 38,680 people died in roadside accidents in 2020, a 7% increase since 2019.
Experts speculate that the spike in traffic fatalities was related to lockdown measures and their subsequent lifting.
The majority of American drivers drove significantly less during pandemic shutdowns, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
However, younger male drivers who were statistically at a higher risk for collision were found to have increased their time behind their wheel during pandemic shutdowns.
New York City has mirrored the nationwide pattern:
In the first quarter of 2022, there were at least 59 traffic-related deaths.
This was a 44% increase in traffic-related deaths since 2021.
The first quarter of 2022 also saw the highest number of child fatalities out of any year since the Vision Zero program came into effect in New York in 2014.
If you have been involved in a traffic act in New York City, contact a personal injury lawyer who has experience working with intersectional clients to determine if you are entitled to compensation.
Our New York City Bike Personal Injury attorneys take the time to learn every aspect of your case during our initial meeting in order to properly evaluate the full extent of the damages you or a loved one have suffered. We have been representing seriously injured New Yorkers for over 25 years. Born, raised, and living in the City, we know that when you have been injured in this town, you need an attorney to protect your rights and explain the law to you in a way you can understand.
For a no-charge consultation today to discuss the details of your injury event: https://hermannyc.com/free-case-consultation/
We represent clients in all five boroughs of New York (NY): Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, along with Suffolk County & Nassau County on Long Island, Westchester County, Rockland County, and throughout the entire state of New York.
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Source:
https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(22)00155-6/fulltext#seccesectitle0005
https://www.axios.com/2022/04/22/nyc-traffic-deaths-skyrocket-2022
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4818a1.htm
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