Street Safety Tips
New York City's streets are shared by many. Here are a few tips to make your trip safer.
Visit nyc.gov/visionzero for information about NYC's Vision Zero street safety initiative.
Dusk and Darkness
During fall evenings, rush hour occurs at a time when sunlight and visibility are dramatically and suddenly reduced, leading to some of the highest fatal crash rates of the calendar year.
New York City’s Dusk and Darkness campaign is a part of our Vision Zero approach to use enforcement, education and street redesign to make our streets safer.
If you drive:
- Slow down: At 25 MPH drivers are better able to avoid crashes.
- Don’t cut corners: A safe turn is 5 MPH. Pause and look for people in the crosswalk every time.
When you walk:
- Do what you can to be seen: Drivers’ vision drops tenfold as night falls so you might not be visible.
- Watch for turning vehicles: More pedestrians are hurt in crashes around sunset than any other time
Drivers
Slow Down
- New York City's speed limit is 25 MPH unless otherwise posted
- Slow down to 15 MPH or less in all school zones—school safety is everyone’s responsibility
- A pedestrian struck at 30 MPH is twice as likely to be killed than if struck at 25 MPH
Pause and Wait Before Turning
- Go slow – a safe turning speed is 5 MPH
- Expect people to be on the crosswalk every time
Share the Road
- Look for and expect pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles at all times
- Always yield to pedestrians and cyclists
- Do the New York Twist: Reach with your far hand to open your door slowly, to avoid "dooring" a cyclist
- Do not park or idle in bike lanes
Buckle up!
- All passengers must buckle up regardless of where they sit in a vehicle
- All children under the age of 8 must be restrained in a child safety seat (car seat) or booster seat
Professional Drivers
Truck Drivers
- Slow down and give pedestrians and cyclists space
- Before making a turn, scan the intersection ahead for potential hazards – turn slowly
- If a cyclist appears alongside your vehicle, allow them to pass before you go
Watch "I See You: Safety for Trucks & Other Large Fleet" Video
Taxi and For-Hire-Vehicle Drivers
- Visit Vision Zero at the Taxi & Limousine Commission for more driving and safety information
Motorcyclists
Wear Appropriate Gear
- Always wear a helmet to protect against severe head injuries
- Protective gear saves lives – wear proper eye protection, jacket, pants, gloves and boots
Get Legal
- Riders must pass a NYS DMV knowledge and an on-cycle skills test to earn a motorcycle license
- Take a safety course with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation
Slow Down
- NYC's speed limit is 25 MPH unless otherwise posted
Stay in Your Lane
- Motorcyclists are entitled to the full use of a lane
- Lane splitting is not legal in New York
- Always signal before you turn
Eight motorcycle skills to practice all the time:
- Normal stops using the front and rear brakes together
- Quick stops ending with the handlebars facing forward
- Tight slow right and left turns
- Riding at a walking pace to improve clutch and throttle control
- Using brakes progressively in a turn before stopping smoothly with handlebars facing forward
- Swerving quickly to avoid an obstacle
- Looking ahead through all turns
- Using lines in a parking lot – weaving around lines spaced close and wide
How to avoid crashing in a turn:
- Enter turns slower
- Know your surface and look for debris or fluid
- Keep your eyes in the direction you are going
- Don’t get caught out staring at curbs, guard rails, and other things on the road
- Smoothly add power when your exit is clear as you ride out
New York City Motorcycle Advisory Council and Motorcycle Safety Events
Pedestrians
Watch for Turning Vehicles
- Be especially alert for vehicles turning left and make sure you can be seen
- Three out of four crashes occur at intersections
Look in All Directions
- Don't assume drivers see you
- Look around for anything unexpected, even if the signal is in your favor
Bicyclists
Stay Visible
- Use a white headlight and a red taillight at night
- Don't pass vehicles when they are turning, especially large vehicles with blind spots
- Wear brightly colored clothing for daytime riding
Ride in the Direction of Traffic
- Obey traffic signs and signals
- Do not weave in and out of traffic
- Make sure the driver sees you before you turn or ride in front of a turning vehicle
Information about making deliveries on bikes and e-bikes More safety tips for bicyclists
Animation Description: Red car slows down as it approaches an intersection, puts on turn signal, begins to turn left and stops to allow for pedestrians to finish crossing the street. The red car drives on once the crosswalk is clear. Traffic signals change & cross traffic moves.