Consider This from NPR Traffic Deaths Are At A 20-Year High. What Makes Roads Safe (Or Not)?
Sep 6, 2022
Maren Kogan, Senior Correspondent for Vox, dives into the alarming rise in traffic fatalities, revealing that U.S. roads are the deadliest they've been in two decades. She highlights the perilous US-19 in Florida, notorious for pedestrian deaths due to its dangerous design. In contrast, Ryan Sharp from Hoboken shares how their city achieved zero traffic fatalities for four years through innovative safety measures like the Vision Zero program. Together, they discuss both the causes of increasing road dangers and effective strategies for creating safer streets.
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Pandemic's Impact on Traffic Deaths
- Traffic deaths decreased from the 1970s due to road design and car safety improvements, along with increased seatbelt usage.
- However, the pandemic reversed this trend, increasing traffic deaths significantly.
Deadliest Road in America
- US-19 in Pasco County, Florida, has been identified as the deadliest road in America for pedestrians.
- Its design, with multiple lanes, high speeds, and limited safe crossing options, contributes to frequent accidents.
Beyond Individual Blame
- Focusing solely on individual driver or pedestrian behavior, such as texting or jaywalking, misses the bigger picture.
- Road design flaws and vehicle design issues play a significant role in accidents and should be addressed.
