The Strong Towns Podcast
We Need a New Approach to Road Safety and Design
Apr 3, 2025
A keynote address reveals the alarming rise in traffic fatalities during the pandemic and advocates for 'forgiving design' in roadways to enhance safety. The importance of a human-centered approach in urban transportation design emerges, critiquing ineffective 'stroads' and the economic challenges of funding safer systems. The discussion highlights the need for infrastructure that accommodates all users, emphasizing pedestrian and cyclist safety. Ultimately, it calls for community engagement in street design to create more inclusive urban environments.
46:07
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Quick takeaways
- The pandemic-induced decline in traffic volume didn't reduce fatalities, revealing deeper issues affecting driving safety beyond mere reckless behavior.
- Forgiving design in transportation, which accommodates human error, plays a crucial role in improving road safety and reducing fatal accidents.
Deep dives
Traffic Safety Trends During the Pandemic
The pandemic significantly altered driving patterns, resulting in an unprecedented decline in daily traffic volume. Contrary to expectations, this reduction did not correlate with fewer traffic deaths; instead, fatalities reached record levels during this period. The common narrative was that reckless driving behaviors emerged as people became more careless and aggressive on the roads. However, this assertion oversimplifies the issue, as it fails to account for the underlying factors affecting driving safety during times of minimal congestion.
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