The Strong Towns Podcast cover image

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.
27:54

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Personal stories, such as Amy Cohen's tragedy, are crucial in transforming the emotional impact of traffic violence into advocacy for safer streets.
  • Challenging the perception of traffic deaths as mere accidents emphasizes the urgency of policy changes to address this preventable crisis.

Deep dives

The Emotional Toll of Traffic Violence

A personal connection to traffic safety advocacy is often born from tragedy, illustrating the emotional toll that traffic violence takes on individuals and families. Amy Cohen's motivation stems from the heartbreaking loss of her son, who was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street. This devastating incident highlights how a seemingly mundane act can lead to fatal results, a reality that many parents face. By sharing her pain and engaging in advocacy, Cohen transforms her grief into a mission for change, emphasizing the importance of addressing not just the statistics but the human stories behind them.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner