Traffic calming and Vision Zero work together for safer streets
About 1.25 million people die around the world per year in traffic violence, according to the Vision Zero Network, a leading advocacy group striving for zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries. In the United States, that number is about 35,000, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and, speed is a factor in about one-third of those incidences.
With numbers like these, it is clear that a new way of looking at streets is required. And for that, many traffic engineers are looking to the past, when streets were designed for people. Today’s view is all about inclusivity and making streets accessible for everyone. Traffic calming means using features like sidewalk extensions, roundabouts, and speed humps to slow down traffic. Slowing traffic in a neighborhood makes it more walkable, boosting foot traffic to local businesses while also improving pedestrian safety. And drivers traveling slowly can also see the vibrancy of the community and be more likely to stop and enjoy local amenities. The result? A richer and more dynamic neighborhood.
Our traffic calming article explores these topics in more detail, including how to implement traffic calming measures and enhance them with our traffic safety beacons and signs.
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