Vision Zero Concept Report 
for Seattle DOT


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. 
In 2013, more than 150 people suffered potentially life-changing injuries in collisions. 23 people were killed.
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.
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.
Vision Zero PSA #1
Published, September 2015
With a grant from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and funding from AARP, the City of Seattle put together a series of public service announcements. Collisions usually increase in the fall months (with less daylight and more rain), so we're encouraging people to pay extra attention. This is part of Seattle's Vision Zero effort to end traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. 

Why Now?

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. 
Seattle is the fastest growing major city in the country. Even as population increases, collisions continue to decrease.
Fatalities and serious injuries are trending in the right direction, but still far too many lives are changed in traffic incidents.
Seattle is one of the safest cities in the US, with a traffic fatality rate rivaling Sweden’s (the birthplace of Vision Zero). Still, we can do more to prevent death and injury on our streets.

Current Efforts 

SDOT Vision Zero Safety Reinforcement 
SDOT Director Scott Kubly and SDOT staffers joined Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers at Arbor Heights/K-5 STEM School in West Seattle last week to educate and reinforce safe travel habits as kids, grownups and staff prepared for summer break. Thanks to school staff, students and parents, SPD, and everyone out there in the Delridge community for participating and always practicing safe travel habits.
Unfortunately, people of all ages are involved in collisions as pedestrians. More often than not, the youngest and oldest are most impacted. It’s time to retool our streets with an emphasis on improving safety for all ages and abilities.
When a traffic incident does occur, it's important to ensure the safety of everyone involved by having Seattle's first responders on the scene as quickly as possible. Explore 911 calls and traffic collisions in the map below. (Source)

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