Pedestrian Safety

Aerial view of Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Sheboygan Developing Complete Streets Plan

Local efforts kickstarted by a federal grant are culminating in a Vision Zero plan.

August 24, 2023 - Sheboygan Press

Traffic light on overhead pole with traffic camera and "Photo Enforced" sign

Seattle To Expand Traffic Camera Program

The new cameras are designed to reduce travel time for buses and limit speeding at dangerous intersections.

August 16, 2023 - The Urbanist

Worker in yellow safety suit holding up orange SLOW sign on road

Reforms Are Coming to American Road Design

The federal manual governing road design is getting an update. Will it encourage real progress toward road safety?

August 16, 2023 - National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO)

View from middle of street with streetcar rails and high-rise buildings on either side in San Francisco, Bay Bridge visible in background

San Francisco Will Lower Speed Limits on 23 Streets

A 2021 state law allows cities to reduce speed limits next to ‘business activity districts.’

August 3, 2023 - SF Gate

Protected bike path with raised curb in Indianapolis, Indiana

What's Incomplete About Complete Streets?

Although hundreds of states and local governments have adopted Complete Streets policies, American streets keep getting more dangerous for walkers and cyclists. What's missing from Complete Streets policies?

July 10, 2023 - Michael Lewyn

Pedestrians crossing a busy crosswalk on New York City street with tall buildings in background

Study: Streets With High Foot Traffic Also See High Driving Speeds

A detailed study of where people walk reveals that driving speeds on many of the streets most used by pedestrians in U.S. cities are higher than recommended speeds, putting pedestrians at higher risk for serious injuries and death.

June 27, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue with U.S. Capitol dome in background

D.C. Road Safety Campaign Will Target Drivers With Dangerous Records

A pilot program will send letters and text messages directly to drivers with histories of speeding and reckless driving warning them of the increased risk for themselves and others.

June 27, 2023 - DCist

'No turn on red' sign attached to an overhead traffic light

Right on Red: A Deadly Policy

Created in the 1970s to help boost gas mileage (with little proof that it had the desired effect), turning right on red creates dangerous situations for pedestrians and cyclists.

June 15, 2023 - Fast Company

CLose-up of pedestrian call button on pole at intersection

Experts: Vision Zero Requires Far-Reaching Investment, Culture Shift

Road safety advocates say the 2021 infrastructure bill doesn’t fully commit to its stated goals to help cities eliminate pedestrian and cyclist deaths.

June 14, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

"Welcome to Texas" road sign with Texas flag and "Drive Friendly - the Texas way" slogan

Report: Austin’s State Roads Deadlier Than City Roads

Traffic fatalities and serious injuries grew on state-owned roads in the Texas capital, even as city-owned streets saw death rates plateau.

June 6, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Child-sized pedestrian crash test dummy in front of car being tested

National Crash Testing Standards Could Start Including Pedestrian Safety

The NHTSA is proposing new guidance that would, after years of demands from safety advocates, include pedestrian safety assessments in crash test requirements.

May 24, 2023 - Jalopnik

Striped crosswalk with yellow pedestrian crossing signs and grassy pedestrian island in Boston, Massachusetts

Boston Launches ‘Safety Surge’ Traffic Calming Initiative

The new program targets neighborhood streets for safety improvements such as speed humps and intersection redesigns.

May 24, 2023 - Streetsblog Mass

Two-story split lot housing in Houston, Texas with two-car garages

Houston Debates Shared Driveway Requirement

A proposed rule would require developers to build shared driveways for narrow lot projects.

May 22, 2023 - Houston Chronicle

Mother and child on bicycles riding on green dedicated bike lane

Essay: How Poor Pedestrian Planning Harms Families

A lack of safe bike and pedestrian infrastructure can drive young families away from places that don’t accommodate car-free residents.

May 22, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Sunset view of Gateway Arch and downtown St. Louis, Missouri

Residents Oppose St. Louis County’s Proposed Ban on Walking in Roadways

While the bill’s sponsor calls it a safety measure, advocates for people with disabilities, joggers, and other groups say the bill would unfairly target them.

May 11, 2023 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Worker in yellow safety suit holding up orange SLOW sign on road

How Cities are Spending Safe Streets Funds

New federal grant programs are injecting millions of dollars into road safety projects in an effort to stem the alarming growth of traffic deaths on U.S. roads.

May 10, 2023 - Governing

View from below of row of parked trucks in lot

Carzilla: How Huge SUVs and Trucks Hurt Pedestrians and Walkable Communities

Ever wonder where the supersizing of cars is going to end? Kaid Benfield dives deep into the subject and suggests five actions we can take to get to a safer spot in the road.

May 8, 2023 - PlaceShakers

Two-lane asphalt road in Washington state with pine trees along sides and Mt. Rainier in background

Washington Road Safety Bills Fail to Advance

Several bills aimed at reducing traffic deaths fell by the wayside in the state legislature, despite the growing rate of road fatalities.

May 4, 2023 - The Urbanist

Walking

How Little Do Americans Walk?

Despite the high cost of car ownership, Americans walk less than almost any other nation, even for short trips that could be done on foot.

April 17, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Pedestrian stoplight with green 'walk' silhouette lit up and blurry city buildings in background

Historically Redlined Neighborhoods Have Higher Rates of Pedestrian Deaths, Study Says

The consequences of historic redlining continue to have consequences in the present day United States. Add another example to the list.

March 22, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

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