Patterns and Analysis of Traffic Accidents in New York City between 2013 and 2023

New York City is the most populous city in North America and the fourth most populous in the world. Due to the high population density and significant commuting population, the city experiences a large number of vehicles operating in a congested environment, leading to a substantial number of traffic accidents. This study examines a dataset compiled by the New York Police Department, which records every major vehicular accident in New York City from 2013 to 2023, exploring aspects such as accident types, severity, causes, and locations. This period includes the COVID-19 pandemic and other external factors like fluctuating gasoline prices, the rise of for-hire vehicle (FHV) services, and vehicles with new safety features. Data from multiple sources are analyzed to understand how these factors impacted accident rates during this timeframe. The analysis shows that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced accidents due to decreased motor vehicle traffic, with post-pandemic accident rates remaining at less than half of pre-pandemic levels. This sustained decline correlates with reduced traffic, increased FHV usage over taxis, and a growing number of new vehicles with advanced safety features. This study uses these datasets to develop a mathematical model to quantify these correlations and to provide insight for urban planners and policymakers seeking to improve road safety and manage traffic flow.