A vision for safer streets
In 2013, there were 10,310 police-reported collisions in Seattle. 155 people were seriously injured and 23 were killed. This is unacceptable.
Seattle is consistently recognized as one of the safest cities in the country. Over the past decade, we’ve seen a 30 percent decline in traffic fatalities, even as our population grows.
Despite this fact, traffic collisions are a leading cause of death for Seattle residents age 5-24. Older adults are also disproportionately affected, and as our population ages, this trend could grow. In 2013, there were 10,310 police-reported collisions in Seattle. 155 people were seriously injured and 23 were killed.
This is unacceptable.
We can do better. At the core of the worldwide Vision Zero movement is the belief that death and injury on city streets is preventable. For the most part, these aren’t “accidents.” Collisions are often the result of poor behaviors and unforgiving roadway designs. So we must approach the problem from multiple angles – street designs that emphasize safety, predictability, and the potential for human error, coupled with targeted education and data-driven enforcement.
Family and friends gather at a
memorial walk honoring 68-year
old Leo Almanzor, who was struck
by a car and killed in a hit and run
collision as he walked to work on
November 22, 2014.
Photo credit: Cathy Tuttle.
Why Now?
In Seattle, nearly 30 collisions occur on our streets every day.
People walking and biking are involved in collisions daily. Each year,
more than 150 people sustain life-changing serious injuries and
approximately 20 people die on our streets. People over age 50 are
particularly vulnerable and have made up 70 percent of pedestrian
fatalities in the last three years.
While Seattle is consistently recognized as a safe city, it’s time to do
more to prevent crashes.
Seattle considers safety for people walking and biking a top priority
since the likelihood of injury is nearly 100 percent if they are hit.
And it’s important to note that safety projects benefit all travelers
– people driving, biking, and walking. Through context sensitive
engineering and thoughtful enforcement patrols, we will redesign
our streets to reduce risk and improve conditions for everyone.
Vision Zero provides an opportunity to integrate our safety efforts by
combining the street design recommendations of our Pedestrian,
Bicycle, Transit, and Freight Master Plans with targeted enforcement
patrols and educational outreach to address behavioral issues.
Now is the time to coordinate our safety efforts and commit to a
goal of zero fatalities by 2030.
