Take a look at this article that summarizes some troubling new data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The 2015 data, released last week, shows unacceptable increases in all kinds of traffic fatalities in the United States, including a 10% increase in pedestrian fatalities and a 13% increase in cyclist deaths. We hope this data moves you to help make our streets safer for walking and biking.
Check out this new PSA campaign in Los Angeles that seeks to end hit-and-runs. Given the recent events here in San Francisco, we think this message is beneficial at home as well.
Here is a sombering article that documents the San Francisco Bike Party’s memorial ride for the two cyclists killed in hit-and-runs in June. The emotional images and words shared by friends and fellow San Franciscans are deeply moving and serve as reminders that we should not accept death as a consequence of unsafe driving in our city.
Check out this article about the second phase of Vision Zero in Sweden – the movement’s birthplace. Stockholm is beginning to implement “Vision Zero 2.0,” where the emphasis will depart from focusing solely on car and pedestrian cohesion and move toward total removal of cars from certain parts of the city. While we know this will sound radical to some, we think it is valuable to think about about new – and potentially radical – ways to make San Francisco’s streets safe for all users.
Did you know that speeding drivers injure ten times as many pedestrians as drunk drivers in San Francisco? Why do we so universally frown upon drunk driving but sometimes turn a blind eye to speeding? We must slow down auto traffic to save lives and reach our Vision Zero Goal.
Here is a thought provoking story from Los Angeles. That city’s Department of Transportation recently hired a resident artist to work on Vision Zero there. While it is not yet clear what his role will entail exactly, he envisions incorporating street art and memorials like ghost bikes to change behavior and make LA’s streets safer. We hope it will get you thinking of creative ways to convey to your neighbors that safe streets are everyone’s responsibility.
Here is a sobering video out of New Zealand that depicts a life-changing moment for two families. Just before a speeding driver is about to collide with a driver who is carelessly turning in front of him, the two men are suddenly frozen in time and are forced to reflect upon their equally errant decisions. The PSA is less about blame and more about getting road users to think about the impacts of every choice they make on the road. It will hopefully change – and save – lives on roads around the world.
Here’s an exciting article about some good things coming to Angelinos who use the massively popular Waze app for navigation. In Los Angeles, the app will soon roll out a feature that directs drivers away from dangerous left turns. Considering that left turns are a disproportionate cause of collisions – the NHSTA reports that 60% of collisions at intersections involve a left turn – this is welcome news. We hope this feature is successful in reducing unsafe turns and can be implemented in markets like San Francisco.
Check out this interesting and heartwarming video from the UAE. In that country, 20% of all collisions involve pedestrians, which is especially troubling for children walking to school. Volkswagen set up a program where 2000 local schoolchildren were given tags for their backpacks which initiate a sign that displays their name above a crosswalk called “The Human Crossing.” The idea is that if you know someone’s name, you are more likely to value their life. We hope this will get you thinking and talking about the best ways to get drivers to yield to pedestrians and make our streets safer for kids.
Remember the “It Stops Here” campaign to remind drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks? It successfully increased the number of car yields on our streets by about 400 per day. Check out this CityLab story for a good recap.