Pedestrian Safety

Studies: Drivers Far More Distracted Than Walkers
Two articles in national publications share findings from recent studies that make it harder to accept the "distracted walking" excuse for increased traffic fatalities.
Pedestrian Deaths Up Sharply in Chicago
A Chicago Department of Transportation commissioner calls the trend "very troubling."
Houston Metro's Beacons Serve Visually-Impaired Population
A system of beacons will send signals to cell phones in Houston to help bus riders find stops and navigate public transit safely.

Pedestrians Not Allowed Within Three Feet of Cars in Dayton
The new law is billed as a pedestrian safety measure, which is just one of the problems with the law according to critics.

Decades-Long Quest for Safer Streets Reaches an Important Milestone
Melissa Wandall has been fighting for safer conditions for Florida streets since the death of her husband Mark Wandall in 2003. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court of Florida upheld a traffic safety law passed in his name.

Why UPS Vehicles Sport a Sleek New Look
35 sleek trucks smoothing their way around Europe with increased visibility to decrease dangers for pedestrians and reduce drag for energy efficiency.

The Case for Ending Legal Right Turns on Red Lights
Right turns on red became legal at a large scale across the country in the 1970s, despite the threats the practice represents to pedestrians and people on bikes.

Major Street Reconfiguration Underway in Detroit
A $1 million project to reduce vehicle lanes on Detroit's Jefferson Boulevard is designed to increase safety along the busy corridor.

Shouting Down Road Diets
In car-dependent communities, road diets and bike lanes can be a tough sell.
Another Use of Motor Vehicle as a Weapon Leaves 10 Dead, 16 Injured in Toronto
A van driver apparently deliberately mowed down pedestrians on sidewalks and intersections in the North York area of Toronto on Monday. The suspect is in custody. The incident is reminiscent of a similar scene last May in Times Square, Manhattan.
Tempe Police Chief: Uber AV vs. Pedestrian Crash May Have Been Unavoidable
After viewing the videos taken by two cameras equipped in the Uber autonomous vehicle that fatally struck 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg on Sunday, the chief concluded the crash was difficult to avoid. Also, lessons on the crash from David Leonhardt.

Uber Car Reportedly in Autonomous Mode Strikes and Kills a Pedestrian
This is likely the first time a pedestrian has been killed by a self-driving car.

Looking Beyond the Obvious in Florida Pedestrian Bridge Collapse
The National Transportation Safety Board is looking for the cause of the horrific collapse of the Florida International University pedestrian bridge collapse on March 15, killing six. people. Angie Schmitt questions why a ped span was needed at all.
Death of Two Children in Park Slope Crash Sparks Protest
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has been criticized by pedestrian safety activists and, when a driver ran a red light killing two young children, hundreds came out to confront the mayor in person.

California Bill Sets Its Sights on Lower Speed Limits
A proposed bill in the California State Assembly would make it easier for local jurisdictions to set lower speed limits, sidestepping the controversial 85th percentile rule.

California City Bans 'Distracted Walking'
It is illegal to operate a mobile phone to talk, text or listen to music while crossing the street in Montclair, California

On the Life-Saving Potential of Leading Pedestrian Intervals
Giving pedestrians a head start at crosswalks is a simple fix that could save lots of lives. New York City has already seen a significant reduction in fatalities and injuries.

It's that Time of Year Again: Sneckdown Time
Every year, all over the country (depending on El Niño and Polar Vortexes), snow covers roads and traffic patterns and snow removal equipment reveals a safer street design.

New York to Spend $50 Million on 1,500 Protective Bollards
New York City officials, including Mayor Bill de Blasio, are responding to a wave of terrorist attacks and other tragic events with a proposal to build protective bollards around the city.

Vision Zero in Name Only
Many cities say they've adopted Vision Zero, but the numbers show they aren't actually getting any safer.
Pagination
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