We are so pleased to witness the growing number of people that came together on Sunday, November 20th to participate in the International World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. Not only are the number of communities participating growing, but we are also seeing greater diversity of organizations collaborating and even more creativity in memorializing those affected and working together for change. Bravo to the many community members and city leaders across the country who stepped forward to elevate the importance of this preventable health crisis taking 100 lives each day in this country.
Case Study: How can cities increase the safety of large vehicles in urban areas?
In this case study, we look at how cities can make relatively simple, inexpensive technology, policy, and training improvements to large vehicles to come closer to achieving Vision Zero. Early-adopter Vision Zero cities such as New York, Boston, Washington D.C., and San Francisco have experienced success in recent years, following cities in Europe, Asia, and Latin […]
Collaborating across departments to achieve Vision Zero
One of the defining characteristics of Vision Zero is the fundamental focus on breaking down silos and uniting local stakeholders behind common goals. Cross-departmental collaboration isn’t simply advisable — its importance cannot be emphasized enough as a critical foundation to a successful Vision Zero commitment. Cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and New York City have found ways to bridge unintentional but long-standing gaps between key local agencies and identified innovative means to build new organizational architecture to advance Vision Zero.
The central role of public health in Vision Zero
If 30,000 people were killed each year in the United States by a curable illness, we would call it a public health crisis. We would deploy resources, vaccines and interventions to address the spread and bring the death toll to the only acceptable level: zero. Yet, every year 30,000+ people are killed in preventable traffic collisions in this country. Vision Zero asks us to see those traffic deaths like polio or cholera: epidemics that, with an urgent health framing and public response, can be eradicated. In this case study we explore how San Francisco, New York City and Chicago are using the tools of public health — including epidemiology, research and a focus on the root causes of health inequities — to advance their Vision Zero efforts.
10 Stats that Show the Promise of Safety Cameras to Manage Speed
There’s certainly no silver bullet to solving the epidemic of traffic violence. In fact, by definition, Vision Zero is a multi-pronged approach to the complex problem of street safety. But one thing is crystal clear: Speed kills. We know that speed is a common factor in traffic fatalities and severe injuries — especially for people […]
San Franciscans call for a “culture of life and safety”
As I walked with more than 100 people in San Francisco’s first-ever commemoration of the World Day of Remembrance for Traffic Victims, I saw signs of hope. Tragically, we know the commemoration and action of millions worldwide will not bring back the loved ones lost to traffic violence, nor take away the suffering of those […]
A Global Wake-up Call for Traffic Safety
Blog by Leah Shahum and Alex Stone On November 15, Kristi Finney-Dunn will post a nearly life-size silhouette of her son, Dustin (pictured right), at the spot where he was hit and killed by a drunk driver. Four years ago, Dustin was simply bicycling home in Portland, Ore. when his life was tragically cut short […]
San Francisco: Building Coalition, Advancing Vision Zero
In the waning moments of 2013, as many Bay Area revelers prepared to ring in the New Year, six-year-old Sofia Liu was struck and killed by an Uber while crossing the street in San Francisco. It marked the end of a particularly fatal year for bicyclists and pedestrians — and the start of a mobilization […]