The Strong Towns Podcast Families for Safe Streets: Giving a Face to the Traffic Violence Crisis
Nov 25, 2024
Amy Cohen, co-founder and president of Families for Safe Streets, shares her journey from personal tragedy to advocacy for safer streets. They discuss how combining personal stories with data can drive impactful change. Cohen emphasizes transforming grief into proactive community action and highlights the urgent need to address traffic violence as a preventable epidemic. The conversation also covers the importance of supporting trauma survivors and engaging local advocates to foster collective efforts for safer roadways.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Origin of Families for Safe Streets
- Amy Cohen's son, Sammy, was killed in a traffic accident in New York City.
- This tragedy prompted her to co-found Families for Safe Streets.
Traffic Deaths as a Preventable Crisis
- Traffic deaths are often seen as accidents instead of preventable crises.
- The US has significantly higher traffic fatalities compared to other developed countries.
The Power of Personal Stories
- Don't solely rely on data when advocating for safer streets.
- Share personal stories and values to connect with decision-makers.