Philadelphia is the fifth most accident-prone city in the United States.
Home to some of the deadliest roads and intersections, almost half of all traffic accidents happen on only 12% of the streets in this city.
To tackle this issue, the city leaders came up with the Vision Zero project in 2015.
It is aimed at reducing these incidents and eliminating traffic-related deaths by 2030.
But will this project help lower the amount of accidents? That’s what we are going to discuss in this article.
And remember, if you ever get into a car accident, contact a Philadelphia car accident law firm to get a consultation. They can help protect your rights and get fair compensation.
Table of Contents
The Origin of Vision Zero
Vision Zero is a project for road safety that aims to create a roadway system with no fatalities or serious injuries from traffic accidents.
Sweden introduced the Vision Zero concept as a national policy in 1997. Their aim was to eliminate traffic-related deaths through policy changes.
They focused on safety over convenience in the street to make the roads safer. This includes,
- Lowering urban speed limits
- Expanding pedestrian zones
- Adding protected bike lanes
While Sweden hasn’t achieved zero fatalities, traffic deaths have dropped by 30% since Vision Zero began.
Many US cities have adopted their own Vision Zero programs with success. New York City, for instance, has seen a decrease in traffic-related deaths every year since implementing Vision Zero in 2014.
What is Philadelphia’s Vision Zero Project?
Philadelphia’s Vision Zero Project is a collaborative effort led by the City of Philadelphia. The goal of this initiative is to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030.
The project focuses on improving traffic safety on city streets through various measures. These include installing projects on the High Injury Network. This comprises 12% of city streets but accounts for 80% of all traffic fatalities and severe injuries.
By implementing policies and infrastructure changes, Vision Zero aims to make all road users feel safe and comfortable while using the streets.
Goals of the Vision Zero Project
Here are the key goals of Philadelphia’s Vision Zero Project:
Zero traffic deaths and serious injuries
The primary objective is to eliminate all fatalities and severe injuries resulting from traffic accidents by 2030.
Infrastructure improvements
Vision Zero aims to improve road safety through targeted infrastructure changes. It includes better crosswalks, protected bike lanes, and traffic calming measures.
Education and Awareness
The initiative educates the public about safe road behaviors, emphasizing responsible driving, walking, and cycling practices.
Equity and inclusivity
Vision Zero strives to create a safer environment for all road users, regardless of age, income, or mode of transportation.
The Success of Vision Zero So Far
According to NBC 10 Philadelphia’s Hayden Mitman, Philadelphia is witnessing a decline in traffic accidents.
The 2023 Vision Zero Philadelphia report reveals a 34% decrease in severe and fatal crashes.
Moreover, overall crashes have dropped by 20% compared to trends in the High Injury Network.
The Vision Zero Annual Report 2023 focuses on three main types of traffic safety projects:
Road diets
It involves reducing travel lanes and reallocating roadway space. This led to an 18% decrease in total injury crashes compared to trends in the High Injury Network.
Separated bike lanes
This resulted in a 17% reduction in total injury crashes and doubled the number of bike riders. The City aims to implement separated bike lanes on 40 miles of streets by 2025.
Neighborhood Slow Zones
It implements traffic calming measures and sets a 20 mph speed limit. Newly established Neighborhood Slow Zones have seen no fatal or serious injury crashes, with a 75% decrease in total crashes.
Will Vision Zero Help Lower the Amount of Philadelphia Traffic Accidents?
Philadelphia’s Vision Zero Project has made significant strides in reducing traffic accidents and improving safety.
While challenges persist, the initiative’s focus on infrastructure improvements, education, and community engagement is gradually making our streets safer for all.
Also, Philadelphia has secured substantial federal, state, and local grants to support traffic safety efforts further.
Looking at the gradual decrease in traffic-related deaths and road accidents, it is safe to say that the Vision Zero project is surely working.
How Can Philadelphia Car Accident Attorneys Help?
While the Vision Zero project has helped reduce traffic accidents, it still has a long way to go in order to achieve its goal.
The accidents are still happening, so it is important to stay safe. And unfortunately, if you ever get into an accident, contact Philadelphia car accident attorneys.
They can help you file a personal injury claim and get rightful compensation. Philadelphia car accident attorneys will investigate your case and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf while you recover from the accident.
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