Even with strict policies on traffic laws, motor vehicle collisions still occur regularly. If you are traveling in and around New York, it is vital to learn about the risks of driving and take smart steps that can help protect your and other drivers’ safety while on the road.
What are the most recent car crash statistics in New York?
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported 40,901 car crash fatalities in the country last 2023. Of this total, 1,114 happened in New York. While there are several factors to consider in traffic accidents, there are six unsafe driving behaviors that contribute to the most car crash incidents in the state.
Here are the top six causes of car accidents in New York from January to August of 2025, as reported by the New York City Police Department (NYPD):
- Distracted driving (1,976)
- Following too close (464)
- Failure to yield right of way (438)
- Improper passing or lane usage (295)
- Speeding (263)
- Unsafe backing (218)
The NYPD also reported a total of 1,808 motorists, 1,268 passengers, 588 cyclists and 541 pedestrians who sustained crash-related injuries from January to August of 2025.
What are the riskiest roads and intersections in New York?
Based on an analysis of fatal car accidents from 2017 to 2019, the five riskiest roadways in New York are:
- I-87: 12 fatalities per year
- I-90: 11 fatalities per year
- Bruckner Boulevard: 7 fatalities per year
- US-9: 7 fatalities per year
- US-11: 5 fatalities per year
Traffic accidents can happen to anyone at any given time. By staying informed of the state’s riskiest driving behaviors and most dangerous roads to travel to, you can drive with better caution and help keep everybody safe from accidents.