Due to challenges in social networks, the number of deaths in the New York subway has increased

In 2022, 88 people died in the New York subway, reports New York Post. This is a third more than in the pre-pandemic years, and not least due to challenges in social networks.

The 88 deaths on the tracks last year are 35% more than the average number of metro deaths in 2018 and 2019, with 61 deaths in each of those years.

By comparison, 120 pedestrians were killed in collisions with cars and trucks on surface roads last year. And this is close to the average of 2018 and 2019 - 121 people.

In fact, it is surprising that the number of deaths in the subway can even begin to rival the number of deaths above ground. Because drunk drivers or those who do not have rights can leave the road. But subway trains are run by machinists who are tightly controlled.

Of the 1 known subway accidents in 365 (most of which did not result in death), about 2022% were accidental falls or medical accidents, according to new MTA analysis. Less than 10% were suicides or suicide attempts.

An even smaller percentage were attacks, when people were pushed onto the tracks. Moreover, such cases often end in death: in 2022, three out of 10 murders in the subway were committed by pushing onto the rails (a record over the past 30 years).

More than two-thirds of those injured or killed were on the rails voluntarily

In 20% of all cases, people were clearly mentally ill (but did not attempt suicide). Another 10% or so were under the influence of drugs or drunk.

And in almost half of the cases of illegal entry into the territory of the MTA, the NYPD found people just walking along the tracks. Someone went to the camps for the homeless on the territory of the MTA, someone painted graffiti or just wandered through the tunnels.

Two such perpetrators were graffiti artists from France. They died under a subway train last April. And some “accidents” are the result of surfing the subway, that is, simply trying to repeat what they saw on the Internet or surprise friends with a “cool” video.

Over the past four months, two 15-year-olds have died from surfing (riding on the roofs of subway cars). And another 15-year-old lost his arm this year.

As Shanifa Riara, chief communications adviser for the MTA, said, these deaths are heartbreaking for families. But also "frankly tragic for our train crews."

The good news is that the city knows how to fix it and is taking action.

The worst spike in intrusions into the metro system began just over a year ago, in December 2021-February 2022. This winter, the number of railroad intrusions has dropped by 30%. This was mainly due to police measures.

In January and February of this year, police made 2 arrests in the city's transit system. This is 065% more than last year and is comparable to pre-COVID levels. The number of arrests for fare violations has tripled compared to last year.

Yes, it's true that seriously mentally ill people roaming the New York subway tracks don't need the police as a long-term solution. But they need the police to keep them out of the way of the subway. And thereby keep them alive, as a short-term solution.

Just last week in Queens, police stopped five teen surfers on the subway. And this prevented a possible mass tragedy.