When we learned that the biggest state in the nation is making an explicit “pivot” to the Safe Systems approach, which underpins Vision Zero, we couldn’t wait to learn more, so we reached out to Toks Omishakin, the Director of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), who is leading the charge. Prior to his Caltrans […]
National Recommendations: Addressing Safety & Equity with the Safe System Approach
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Year after year, as tens of thousands of people lose their lives in traffic crashes in the U.S., the well-known saying above can feel all too tragically true. And while no one doubts the commitment and sincerity of […]
Pivoting to the Safe Systems Approach:
How Federal, State & Local Leaders
Can Advance Vision Zero
As interest in and support for Vision Zero grow across the U.S., it is an important time to make sure we’re clear on what Vision Zero really is. And what it is not. Vision Zero is not a slogan. Not a tagline. Not just a “program.” It is — as described below by Federal, State […]
Media Advisory: Crash Victims & Safety Advocates Decry Appalling Increase
in Traffic Deaths & Urge Action
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contacts: Leah Shahum, Vision Zero Network, leah@visionzeronetwork.org Amy Cohen, Families for Safe Streets, amy@familiesforsafestreets.org, 646-581-4232 Crash Victims & Safety Advocates Decry Appalling Increase in Traffic Deaths & Urge Action New Report Estimates 2020 Traffic Deaths Hit 13-Year High; Spike in Rate of Roadway Deaths Highest in 96 Years March 4, 2021 — Advocates for safe […]
Talking with Offer Grembek, Transportation Researcher, about Safe Systems & Speed
For this month’s People Behind the Progress, we’re talking with Dr. Offer Grembek, about modernizing speed setting practices and monitoring the frequency and types of crashes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Offer is the co-director of the University of California Berkeley Safe Transportation Research and Education Center and co-chairs the Transportation Research Board Global Road Safety […]
Webinar Recap: Safe Systems for Safe Mobility: A Deeper Dive
In this webinar, the Vision Zero Network was pleased to welcome back Jessica Truong, of the international Towards Zero Foundation based in London, and formerly with the Transport Accident Commission in Victoria, Australia. A few weeks before this, Truong led an informative presentation about the principles of Safe Systems, which underlie Vision Zero. (You can […]
Safe Systems: The Foundation of Vision Zero
In this informative one-hour webinar, learn about the principles of Safe Systems, which underlies Vision Zero. Hear from Jessica Truong, of the international Towards Zero Foundation based in London, and formerly with the Transport Accident Commission in Victoria, Australia. Whatever stage your community is at, it’s important to understand that Vision Zero is not a […]
Webinar Recap: Safety & Systems for Vision Zero–Putting Theory Into Practice
Safe Systems is a key difference between Vision Zero and a traditional approach to traffic safety. Yet, we acknowledge that a “systems-based approach” can sound like esoteric jargon that does not translate easily to action or motivation for those on the ground working to reduce traffic fatalities and injuries in their communities. In this December […]
Webinar Recap: Safe Systems — What Does it Mean for Vision Zero?
When discussing traffic safety, the lives so deeply impacted by injuries and fatalities can sometimes be minimized in technical and scientific jargon. Discussions about “level-of-service” for drivers or standards for traffic control devices tend to ignore the emotional and societal toll of 40,000 lives lost to traffic fatalities each year in the U.S. Fortunately, the […]
Lessons from London’s Inspired Vision Zero Action Plan
In late July, London released a new Vision Zero Action Plan. To call it impressive would be an understatement. In particular, we appreciate that the plan has healthy portions of two key ingredients: Vision and Action. London’s recently announced Vision Zero commitment sets the goal of eliminating all traffic deaths and severe injuries by 2041, […]