Pedestrian Safety

Large black SYV driving down city street with blurred background.

GAO to Investigate How Vehicle Design Impacts Safety

A lax set of rules around vehicle size, height, and other factors is partly responsible for the alarming rise in pedestrian deaths in the United States.

June 17, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

"No right turn on red" and "Turning vehicles yield to pedestrians" sign.

The Tide is Turning on Right Turns on Red

The policy, which stems from the gas embargo of the 1970s, makes intersections more dangerous for pedestrians.

June 14, 2024 - NPR

Three men riding recumbent bikes on paved greenway next to bayou with Houston skyline in background.

Houston Developers Question Mayor’s Stance on Pedestrian Projects

The new mayor’s reversal of road safety projects, some already underway or completed, is raising eyebrows among developers who say residents want walkable, mixed-use streets.

June 13, 2024 - Houston Chronicle

Line of cars at a McDonald's drive-thru at night.

St. Paul Considers Drive-Thru Restrictions

Limiting drive-thrus can make streets more dangerous for pedestrians and snarl traffic.

June 12, 2024 - Axios

Panorama Close up of pedestrian traffic light signal against blue sky and bright clouds.

Traffic Safety Efforts Chug Ahead — Too Slowly for Some

Around the United States, traffic deaths are growing or plateauing, yet efforts to make roads safer still face political opposition.

May 30, 2024 - KFF Health News

Aerial view of downtown Phoenix, Arizona on a sunny day.

Video: Phoenix Sets its Sights on Vision Zero

The city hopes to eliminate traffic deaths in the next 25 years.

May 26, 2024 - ABC15 Arizona

Close-up from back of woman walking on crosswalk with two small children on either side of her riding bicycles with training wheels.

When Small Projects Make a Big Impact

Small, mundane infrastructure projects can make meaningful changes for pedestrian and bike safety.

May 19, 2024 - Mayors Innovation Project

Green parking-protected bike lane in Philadelphia with old church in background

Philly Mayor Proposes Major Cuts to Vision Zero

Despite promises to make the city’s roadways safer for pedestrians and cyclists, the proposed budget slashes Vision Zero funding nearly in half.

May 15, 2024 - MSN

Low shot of red painted bus lane on New York City street with blurred bus, pedestrians, and buildings in background.

NYC’s Vision Zero Program Saved $90 Million in Medicaid Costs

While traffic fatalities remain far above zero, the city saw fewer injuries compared to areas without Vision Zero initiatives.

May 12, 2024 - The New York Times

"Stop - Pedestrians in crosswalk" sign in white and red lights.

Video: Zeroing in on Nighttime Traffic Deaths

Three in four pedestrian deaths in the United States happen at night.

May 5, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

Person on bike in empty intersection in Portland, Oregon.

Portland Gas Tax Renewal Up to Voters

Without the extension, the city’s transportation bureau faces a $32 million shortfall.

May 2, 2024 - OPB

Close-up of car steering wheel and dashboard with driver's hand on steering wheel and illustration of automatic braking system on windshield with 'STOP' graphic.

NHTSA Finalizes Automatic Braking Rule to Advance Road Safety

New cars will be required to include automatic detection and braking technology for vehicles and pedestrians by 2029.

May 1, 2024 - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Aerial view of Oakland, California with bay in background

Street Safety Improvements Coming to the Bay Area

State and local officials are zeroing in on some of the region’s most dangerous streets and transit corridors.

April 25, 2024 - The Mercury News

Pedestrians crossing a busy crosswalk on New York City street with tall buildings in background

New York’s Deadliest Neighborhoods for Pedestrians

Pedestrian deaths rose last year, but remain below pre-2020 levels.

April 24, 2024 - PIX 11

High view of woman walking in parking lot with red and white cars visible at left.

Non-Roadway Traffic Deaths On the Rise

A growing number of traffic deaths occur in driveways, parking lots, and other non-roadway spaces.

April 22, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

Children sit on temporary street furniture next to book cart at pop-up reading event at open streets event in Sunset Park in New York City.

Meet NYC’s New Office of Livable Streets

The NYC DOT program will build on pandemic-era initiatives to promote safe and comfortable streets that enhance community and expand uses beyond just moving cars.

April 18, 2024 - Next City

View of blurred traffic on South Beach, Miami street at nighttime.

Florida Law Targets ‘Activist’ Road Diets

Gov. DeSantis signed a transportation law that complicates the process for lane reductions, despite the rising number of pedestrian deaths in the state.

April 8, 2024 - Florida Politics

View of the Gateway Arch with Mississippi River in foreground and St. Louis skyline in background.

St. Louis to Introduce Traffic Calming Downtown

The city will redesign three major streets to slow traffic and improve safety.

April 7, 2024 - First Alert 4

CLose-up of bottom of lamp post with NY CITY plaque on cobblestone sidewalk in Central Park, New York City.

Central Park Sidewalk Restoration Project Balances Accessibility, Preservation

The original tile and brick sidewalks now pose safety hazards and don’t fully serve modern accessibility and mobility needs.

March 17, 2024 - The New York Times

Nighttime view of downtown Louisville, Kentucky.

Louisville High Injury Network To Help Guide Transportation Decisions

The new tool highlights the streets that pose the biggest risk to pedestrians and other road users.

March 11, 2024 - Louisville Public Media

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