How NYC’s Congestion Pricing Affects Pedestrian Safety in Manhattan

Manhattan is one of the most walkable cities in the world but also one of the most dangerous for pedestrians. Crowded intersections, aggressive drivers, honking horns, and gridlocked streets are part of the daily reality for anyone navigating the borough on foot. That’s why New York City’s congestion pricing plan, the first of its kind in the U.S., has raised major questions not just about traffic flow, but about pedestrian safety.

As congestion pricing begins to reshape how vehicles move through lower Manhattan, it’s important to ask the question – will this plan make walking in Manhattan safer or more dangerous?

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in Manhattan, you should always contact a skilled pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible. They can investigate the circumstances and determine fault.

Key Takeaways

• NYC’s congestion pricing will charge most vehicles a fee to enter Manhattan below 60th Street, aiming to reduce traffic volume.Less car traffic generally leads to fewer pedestrian injuries and fatalities, based on global data.
• However, rerouted traffic and increased activity at the perimeter of the congestion zone may create new pedestrian hazards in adjacent neighborhoods.Pedestrian safety still depends on enforcement, street design, and driver accountability—congestion pricing alone isn’t a silver bullet.
• Injured pedestrians retain full legal rights to pursue claims against negligent drivers, city agencies, and others—regardless of traffic policy changes.

What Is Congestion Pricing and Where Does It Apply?

Congestion pricing is a policy that charges vehicles a toll for entering high-traffic areas during peak hours. NYC’s plan is focused on Manhattan below 60th Street, excluding FDR Drive, the West Side Highway, and a few other limited zones.

Key Details of NYC’s Congestion Pricing Plan:

• Applies to most vehicles entering the zone, including passenger cars, trucks, and taxis.Tolls are expected to range from $15 to $23 for cars, depending on the time of day.Exemptions and discounts apply for emergency vehicles, low-income drivers, and residents within the zone (with conditions).Set to launch in late 2025 or early 2026, pending final legal challenges.

The goal is to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and fund public transit improvements, but this can have negative impacts for pedestrians.

Fewer Cars, Safer Streets: The Expected Benefits

Reduction in Vehicle Volume

Fewer vehicles on the road can significantly reduce:

• Pedestrian accidents at intersections
• Curbside collisions from double-parked vehicles
• High-speed run-throughs of crosswalks

Lower Risk of Fatal Crashes

According to data from NYC’s Department of Transportation (DOT), pedestrian fatalities spike during periods of high vehicle congestion. When traffic is calmer and less chaotic, drivers tend to make safer decisions and have fewer opportunities to injure others.

With congestion pricing in place, crosswalks in Midtown and Downtown Manhattan could become safer simply because there are fewer cars to dodge.

Improved Air Quality

While not directly related to collisions, better air quality means fewer respiratory issues and improved health for pedestrians, particularly children and seniors who walk through traffic-heavy areas daily.

New Risks: Traffic Spillover and Pedestrian Danger Outside the Zone

While congestion pricing may bring relief to the inner core of Manhattan, safety advocates warn of spillover effects that could create new hazards for pedestrians in adjacent neighborhoods.

Increased Traffic at the Border

As drivers try to avoid tolls, some will park just outside the congestion zone and walk, bike, or take transit the rest of the way. This could lead to:

• Heavier traffic on cross streets like 59th, 61st, and 1st Avenue.
• More curbside drop-offs, U-turns, and double parking near the zone’s edge.
• Greater risk of pedestrians being struck while crossing at those perimeter zones.

Delivery and Ride-Hail Vehicles Rerouted

Trucks and Uber/Lyft drivers may change their routes or increase pickups/drop-offs outside the zone to avoid charges, putting added pressure on sidewalks and crosswalks in already-busy parts of the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, and Harlem.

Shift in Risk to Other Boroughs

Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn may see increased traffic along bridges and entry points, as drivers detour to avoid Manhattan tolls. That can mean more pedestrian accidents at:

• Queensboro Bridge approach
• Brooklyn Bridge entryways
• Harlem River crossings

If You’re Hit by a Car in Manhattan: Your Legal Rights

Regardless of how traffic patterns change under congestion pricing, your rights as a pedestrian remain fully intact. If you’re struck by a vehicle while walking, you may be entitled to:

• No-fault insurance benefits (medical bills, lost income)
• Compensation for pain and suffering
• Damages for permanent injury or disability
• Wrongful death damages (if a loved one is killed)

Whether the driver was trying to avoid a toll, operating in a high-traffic zone, or working for a delivery service, you can pursue compensation through their auto insurance and, in some cases, file a lawsuit for negligence.

An experienced pedestrian accident attorney will look at:

• Traffic camera footage
• GPS and app data (from Ubers, taxis, delivery apps)
• Black box or crash data
• Witness statements and police reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Will congestion pricing apply to pedestrians?

No. Pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders do not pay congestion pricing fees. It only applies to motor vehicles entering the zone.

Can I sue the city if poorly managed traffic caused my injury?

Yes, in some cases. If your injury was caused by:

• Defective crosswalks
• Poor traffic design
• Lack of traffic signals or signage

What if a delivery truck hits me outside the congestion zone?

You may still be entitled to compensation. Congestion pricing does not excuse driver negligence or change liability laws. Whether the crash occurred inside or outside the toll zone, the driver (and their employer or insurer) may be held accountable.

A Manhattan Pedestrian Accident Attorney is Standing By

NYC’s congestion pricing may be a turning point for traffic safety in Manhattan—but it’s not the final word. Reducing vehicle volume can save lives, but only if it’s paired with safe street design, fair enforcement, and strong legal protections for pedestrians.

If you or a loved one has been struck by a vehicle in Manhattan, call a pedestrian accident attorney today.