Traffic Fatalities
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Carnage on the Roads During the Pandemic
The National Highway Safety Administration released traffic safety data finding a huge spike in fatalities since the outset of the pandemic, but didn't mention the role of street design in traffic fatalities.
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Back-Up Driver of Autonomous Vehicle Charged With Negligent Homicide of Pedestrian
The broader safety implications of the death of Elaine Hertzberg after being struck by an Uber autonomous vehicle in Tempe is still being litigated. Last week, the back-up driver of the vehicle was charged with negligent homicide.
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Debunking Traffic Safety Myths as Pedestrian Fatalities Increase
Angie Schmitt, former editor at Streetsblog USA, has written a new book about pedestrian fatalities, which works to dispel some of the myths about traffic safety in the United States.
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Traffic Fatalities Increase Dramatically in 2020
Despite a huge drop in vehicle miles traveled, there have been more traffic fatalities in the first six months of 2020 than the same period in 2019.
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The Onion: SUV Drivers Buy Into 'Them Versus Us' Mentality at All Costs
The headline of the latest foray of The Onion into the tragic world of traffic safety: "Conscientious SUV Shopper Just Wants Something That Will Kill Family In Other Car In Case Of Accident".
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As the Pandemic Rages, Carnage on U.S. Roads
Increased stress, increased speeds, more drinking and driving—whatever the reason, traffic fatalities are climbing rapidly even as more Americans leave the car parked at home.
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Vision Zero...Without the Enforcement
As a leading bicycle advocacy organization withdraws support for police enforcement of Vision Zero plans, the discretionary practices of traffic enforcement come under rejuvenated scrutiny.
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Fatal Collisions Increase Per Vehicle Miles Traveled During Pandemic
Data from the National Safety Council show the first evidence that with fewer cars on the road during the pandemic, fatal collisions have actually been more common for every mile driven.
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Traffic Fatalities Decline for a Third-Straight Year 2019, According to New Data
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System released its preliminary estimates this week.
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State Legislation Responds to Pedestrian Safety Failures in Connecticut
So far in 2020, drivers have killed 15 pedestrians on Connecticut roads.
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Austin Traffic Fatalities Triple in January
In 2015, Austin, Texas adopted a Vision Zero goal to reach zero traffic fatalities.
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Bike-Friendly City in Indiana is Known for Plentiful Roundabouts
Indiana's fifth-largest city, of just under 100,000, residents has 120 roundabouts, more than any city in the U.S., and only 14 traffic lights. The average traffic fatality rate is 83 percent lower than the national average.
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Action Needed to Match Vision Zero Ambition in Philadelphia
Philadelphia's succeeded at reducing traffic fatalities in the first years after adopting a Vision Zero goal. That success didn't last, and one writer is calling for the city to back up its ambitious talk with actions.
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Men and SUVs: A Bad Mix for Traffic Safety
Data from New York City show that male drivers are responsible for the vast majority of traffic fatalities in the city, and more of those fatalities are caused by male drivers behind the wheels of trucks and SUVs.
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Nation's Top Safety Board Recommends Protected Bike Lanes
The NTSB chair issued a stark warning on Nov. 5: "If we do not improve roadway infrastructure for bicyclists, bicyclists will die who otherwise would not," stated Robert Sumwalt in introducing their first report in 47 years devoted to bike safety.
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Evaluating D.C.'s Progress Toward Vision Zero
Vision Zero is an ambitious goal, but it's impossible if traffic safety ideas aren't tested and implemented on the street.
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The Deadliest Day for Young Pedestrians
Children are three times more likely to be killed by a driver on Halloween than another day of the year. It's worse for kids between the ages of 4 and 8.
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Traffic Fatalities Compel New Standards for Road Diets
In the Twin Cities, traffic engineers are reconsidering traffic congestion on four-lane arterials in the face of unrelenting tragedy on these car-centric corridors. Road diets, designed for safety, are now a more tenable proposition.
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House Legislation to Fund Vision Zero Investments Proposed
Long-time bike and pedestrian safety champion Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) is among the authors of a new bill to provide federal funding for Vision Zero projects.
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Traffic Fatalities Declining, But Not for Pedestrians and People on Bikes
After several years of increasing traffic fatalities, the total numbers of people killed by cars every year in the United States is finally declining. The same can't be said for pedestrians and people on bikes.
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