VisionZeroATX

As of November 11, 2024:  Austin’s 75th fatal crash of 2024, resulting in 80 fatalities for the year. On the date of this crash in 2023, 76 fatal crashes resulted in 79 fatalities.

TxDOT plans more speed limit signs near Austin intersection after fatality

A crash between a motorcycle and a CapMetro bus at the intersection of Avenue F and East Koenig Lane left one person dead.  Local residences believe multiple factors contribute to the dangers, including speeding from westbound drivers, says a KXAN report.  “They’re on 290, and this is the first light they hit. They haven’t realized, ‘Oh, this is residential now.’ They’re still coming off the highway,”  TXDOT says, “Improvements planned for this section of westbound U.S. 290 at RM 2222/Koenig Lane include overhead signs that warn drivers of a traffic signal ahead and to be prepared to stop. TxDOT also plans to install two new, larger speed limit signs (35 mph) in this area.”

‘He’s not stopping!’ KXAN investigation leads to new look at crosswalk crash, Texas law

The Lisa Torry Smith Act went into effect in September 2021, making it a crime to kill or hurt a person in a crosswalk. Statewide data shows more drivers are being arrested and prosecuted for breaking the law, but some worry challenges are impacting enforcement.  Drivers who violate the law could face anywhere from a Class C misdemeanor to a state jail felony if there’s serious injury or death.   DPS data shows since 2021, there have been 34 arrests across Texas — with seven leading to convictions.   Austin driver sentenced to state jail after hitting and killing a person crossing the street.  Police said Anderson ran a red light and was looking at his cell phone when he hit and killed the pedestrian who had the walk sign to cross at Little Texas Lane and South Congress Avenue in November 2021.  Anderson was sentenced to 18 months in state jail. He originally pleaded guilty and was given five years of probation, but that was revoked after he failed to report to his supervision officer, and he didn’t pay court and other fees.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

TxDOT is reminding drivers to stay alert as they share the road launching their “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” campaign in order to protect these vulnerable drivers.  Statewide in 2023, 599 motorcyclists were killed in crashes, and 2,483 motorcyclists were seriously injured.  “Look twice for motorcycles, use your turn signals, and check your blind spots before changing lanes. Pay special attention at intersections. More than a third of all motorcycle deaths happen at roadway intersections.” says TxDot.

Fatal bike crashes jumped 500% in Austin in 2023

The City of Austin’s Vision Zero program saw a 500% increase in fatal bike crashes in 2023 compared to 2022, staff said during an Austin Mobility Committee meeting Thursday.  That marked the only subcategory featuring a rise in serious injury and fatal crashes in 2023, when comparing it to 2022 data. Pedestrian and motor vehicle fatal crashes declined 17% and 24%, respectively, while there was a 50% decrease in fatal crashes involving motorcyclists.  There were six fatal crashes involving cyclists in 2023, compared to one cyclist-involved fatality in 2022. Experts said they’re seeing a combination of factors behind that uptick, including an increasing number of pedestrian and bike fatalities involving people experiencing homelessness.

Austin cutting down on number of scooters citywide

The City of Austin’s Transportation and Public Works Department is working to limit the number of electric scooters in operation amid safety concerns and improper storing on city sidewalks. Includes: Capping the number of e-scooters citywide from 8,700 currently to a proposed 6,700 e-scooters; and limiting downtown e-scooters permitted from 4,500 to 2,250.

Texas ranks #3 among the worst states for drunk driving

Nearly 30% of fatal car accidents in November and December of 2021 involved a drunk driver.  In some states, including Texas, drunk driving tends to be more common, putting all drivers on state roadways at greater risk when they get behind the wheel. Drunk or not.  With the holiday season in full swing, Forbes Advisor conducted a sobering study to uncover the worst states for drunk driving. All 50 states were researched across six key metrics and findings revealed that Texas ranks among the top five worst states for drunk driving.  Top 3 Worst States for Drunk Driving: Montana has the highest rate of both drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes  and people killed in crashes involving a drunk driver.  South Dakota has the highest number of DUI arrests.  Texas ranks second worst for both the share of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes (8.30 per 100,000 licensed drivers) and the percentage of traffic deaths caused by drunk drivers (42.37%).

The Texas Department of Public Safety task force dedicated to policing Austin will cease operations on Saturday, December 23. Troopers will be redirected to the southern border “due to the ever-changing situation,” according to DPS.  It was not immediately clear whether the DPS will revive the Austin task force in the future or how many, if any, troopers will remain on Austin streets.  Mayor Kirk Watson, who helped orchestrate the initial partnership between the DPS and the Austin Police Department earlier this year, did not address the end of the task force when reached for comment by the American-Statesman. But he said in a statement that the city “will continue to support our police officers to assure our public’s safety.”

Austin sees lower police presence and more traffic deaths, City Auditor says

A report from the Austin Office of the City Auditor said a reduction in police presence and traffic enforcement coincides with a rise in crash-related deaths over the last few years.  The special report analyzed traffic enforcement data from Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and Seattle, from 2018-2022.  Auditors found a steady rise in traffic deaths in all of those cities in that 5-year period. It also noted that this uptick happened alongside vacancies in law enforcement agencies and the shuffling of traffic-enforcement officers to fill open jobs. It said “in some studies, when enforcement went up, serious injuries and deaths went down. In others, when enforcement went down, serious injuries and deaths went up.”  The report said APD has experienced increasing staff vacancies for patrol officers in recent years.  In 2019, DWI had 27 officers (now only 3), Motors had 48 (now 2), and Commercial Vehicle had 19 (now 5). Since the end of 2019, traffic citations have dropped nearly 70%. It explained that citations can have an impact on crashes and road deaths.  The report also said when the TX DPS was deployed in Austin, there were ‘fewer crashes and deaths as compared to after the deployment ended’.  It said during DPS’s six-week deployment this spring, there were 1,951 crashes, 953 injuries and seven deaths. In the six weeks after, the data showed there were 2,258 crashes, 1,156 injuries and 13 deaths. That’s a 15.7% rise in crashes, 21.3% in injuries and 85.7% in deaths.

Vision Zero report finds drug, alcohol use under-counted in Austin traffic fatality victims

Oct 25, 2023 – KXAN – An October Vision Zero report found state crash reports under-counted the prevalence in drug and alcohol use in Austin traffic fatality victims compared to toxicology analyses from the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office.  TCME reports found a blood alcohol content at or above .08 or a positive result for drugs in the crash victim’s system 77% of the time, with no alcohol or drug use reported 21% of the time. Comparatively, CR-3 crash reports reported a blood alcohol content at or above .08 or a positive result for drugs in the victim’s system 30% of the time, with no alcohol or drug use detected 70% of the time.

6-year-old girl in critical condition after horrific Round Rock crash involving drunk driver

A 6-year-old girl is now in critical condition after a horrific car crash on I-35 in Round Rock on August 6 involving a drunk driver.  “I want to do this interview so the world, so Austin; our city knows what drunk driving does to people,” said Willow Walker’s mother Caitlin Carpenter.  She says a truck driving at a high-speed slammed into their car, injuring her 6-year-old Willow.  Round Rock Police says the driver of the truck was under the influence of alcohol.  A GoFundMe page for Willow was created.

Speed is the leading cause of death on Texas roads, so why do we still do it?

Speed is the No. 1 factor contributing to crashes in Texas, and it increases the risk of death and serious injury in a wreck. TxDOT is raising awareness about the dangers of speeding, which was to blame for a third of deadly crashes in Texas last year. Dr. Bob Duke, a local psychologist notes, “I think anything that we can do to slow down our thinking, before we get in a car. You know, when we’re in a hurry, and we’re thinking fast, we’re more likely to make poor decisions about all kinds of things, you know, whether to change lanes really quickly, or trying to get to an exit that I might have missed or those kinds of things. And I think just taking a minute, you know, when you get in a car to take a breath.”

New Texas law to allow temporary highway speed limits under certain conditions

Beginning Sept 1, a new law will authorize the Texas Department of Transportation to temporarily change speed limits during roadway construction or inclement weather without statewide approval.  House Bill 1885, authored by State Rep. Terry Canales (D-Edinburg), allows variable speed limits to be used “to address inclement weather, congestion, road construction, or any other condition that affects the safe and orderly movement on traffic on a roadway for which the commission has the authority to establish a speed limit.”  The temporary speed limit may only be reduced up to 10 miles per hour below the standard speed limit.

June 4, 2023 – AUSTIN – City officials recently released a two-year report on Austin‘s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate deadly crashes across the city, in large part, by making busy intersections safer.  While there have been improvements in those targeted areas, the number of fatalities citywide remains stubbornly high.  Read the full report here

April 20, 2023 – DETROIT (AP) — The number of people killed on U.S. roadways decreased slightly last year, but government officials said the 42,795 people who died is still a national crisis. Estimates by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that the number of fatalities dropped 0.3% from the 42,939 killed in 2021. Traffic deaths declined slightly in the fourth quarter, the third straight quarterly drop. But they’re still close to 2021 numbers, which were the highest in 16 years.

April 20, 2023 – AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 200 people died in Texas last year in construction zones. That’s actually a 16% decrease, but still far too many. The Texas Department of Transportation is hoping you will “Be Safe and Drive Smart to help End The Streak” of deadly crashes on roads in Texas.

TxDOT, UT Austin students bringing anti-drunk driving display to 6th Street

Spring break 2023 is here.  Too often, however, one night can turn tragic because someone chooses to get behind the wheel after drinking. TxDOT is trying to target college students with its statewide “Drive Sober. No Regrets” spring break drunk driving prevention campaign including a tent on 6th Street with a drunk driving simulator and Uber Share rides offered. During spring break of 2021, Texas recorded 874 DUI-alcohol-related traffic crashes, resulting in 31 deaths and 107 serious injuries.

Austin gets $22.9 million federal grant for streets

AUSTIN – The U.S. Department of Transportation announced this week that the City of Austin will receive a $22.9 million grant to make its streets safer for everyone. The grant is part of the $5 billion Safe Streets and Roads for All program.  In total, Austin Transportation plans to implement safety improvements at more than 60 locations through this grant, with at least half of project funding allocated to underserved communities. “This is an investment in saving lives, especially by reducing too frequent collisions with pedestrians and cyclists,” said Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin). “This federal funding supports City efforts to assure safer, more accessible and inclusive transportation for our neighbors across Austin, including economically disadvantaged neighborhoods where a disproportionate amount of traffic-related injuries and fatalities have been occurring.”  Read More …

Austin’s Troubling Traffic Deaths

Jan. 23, 2023 – AXIOS – Despite Austin’s efforts to tamp down traffic deaths, they just keep going up.  The big picture: Austin voters approved $65 million in bonds in 2020 to carry out traffic safety measures to prevent roadway injuries, but a record 122 people died on Austin roads last year.  By the numbers: Traffic fatalities are going up on a per capita basis, too, from 7.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2018 to 11.5 in 2022, per city statistics. (Serious injuries have generally held steady.) Most of the crashes happen on state highways such as I-35 — wide roads that are designed for higher speeds.  Yes, but: The city has recorded a 31% decrease in serious injury and fatal crashes on the stretches of about 20 roads where the city has made improvements over the last half-dozen years.  (Read More)

One year of road crashes cost society $340 billion

DETROIT (AP) — Traffic crashes in the U.S. cost society $340 billion in one year, or just over $1,000 for each of the country’s 328 million people, according to a study by safety regulators.  NHTSA says crashes in calendar year 2019 that killed an estimated 36,500 people, injured 4.5 million and damaged 23 million vehicles.  The study also calculated that from 1975 to 2019, seat belt use saved 404,000 lives and prevented $17.8 trillion in societal harm, NHTSA said.  Nearly 43,000 people died on U.S. roads in 2021, the highest number in 16 years.

Vision Zero reports 50% decrease in severe crashes on roads with speed displays

The Austin Transportation Department’s Vision Zero program on Thursday reported a 50% decline in severe crashes on roads with dynamic speed display devices (DSDDs). ATD has used the devices since 2016 as a means of reinforcing speed limits in mainly residential areas.  In early 2022, Vision Zero installed 14 devices and an additional 16 devices were installed in mid-November. The DSDDs reflect a driver’s speed and “can provide messages to reinforce adherence to the posted speed limit,” per the release.  The DSDDs are one of several mitigation methods ATD and its Vision Zero program have turned toward, outside of in-person traffic enforcement efforts.

Barriers on I-35 help decrease number of pedestrian deaths, TxDOT says

AUSTIN (KXAN) — This year, there have been 11 deadly pedestrian crashes on Interstate 35, many of those deaths resulted after someone tried to cross the interstate. Since TxDOT in 2020,  added a two-foot tall panel on top of the three-foot tall center median concrete barrier along the 3 ½-mile stretch of I-35 between 51st Street and Rundberg Lane.  It’s resulted in a 89% reduction in crashes involving pedestrians.

Austin’s Vision Zero program reported a 30% reduction in crashes in 2022 on improved roadways, compared to 2021.  Overall, the Vision Zero program found an uptick in combined fatal and serious injury crashes this year, with the total number up 4% in 2022 compared to 2021. Approximately 52% of serious or fatal crashes happened between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m., with 62% of pedestrian fatalities happening during those same overnight hours.  Comparing city-owned versus state-owned roadways, state-owned roads account for a higher volume of serious injury and fatal crashes, he said.  When looking at overall city trends, both the number of pedestrian and motorcyclist serious injuries and fatalities have increased in 2022 compared to 2021, and pedestrian serious injury and fatal crashes lead ahead of severe and fatal motorcycle crashes — a new trend emerging.

Traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries in the city of Austin have increased in 2022 compared with the five-year average, highlighting the barriers that stand in the way of the city’s Vision Zero goals.  Still, the overall trend is one of increasing fatalities and serious injuries. As of Sept. 21, there have been 73 traffic-related fatalities, 400 serious injuries and 9,451 total crashes within the city limits this year, according to the Transportation Department’s Vision Zero dashboard. Although fatalities are slightly down year-over-year, both fatalities and serious injuries have outpaced the five-year average.  Joel Meyer, a transportation planner for the city’s Vision Zero program, told the Public Safety Commission that many crashes go unreported, meaning that these numbers are likely conservative.  Meyer added that Austin’s increase in traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries is in line with national trends and may be another side effect of the pandemic.  “We think that as the roads sort of became less traveled that actually increased opportunities for speeding and risky behaviors,” he said. “We’ve seen a big increase in impaired driving and in speeding and all kinds of risky behaviors that are leading to those increases that we’re seeing over the last few years.”

Traffic deaths in US fall slightly but remain at ‘crisis level’

(AP) — The number of people killed on U.S. roadways fell slightly from April through June, the first decline in two years. But the government says the number of deaths remains at a crisis level. Estimates from the NHTSA show that 20,175 people died in crashes from January through June, an increase of 0.5% over the same period last year. The small second-quarter decline came after 7-straight quarters of increases that started in in the third quarter of 2020.  The drop may signal that traffic deaths are finally dropping after an increase fueled by more risky driving that happened as roads were clear of traffic during lockdowns early in the pandemic.

Pedestrians, bicyclists account for 20% of Texas traffic deaths: TxDOT

One in five fatalities on Texas roads last year involved pedestrians and bicyclists.  TxDOT says that in 2021, 841 people died in pedestrian traffic crashes and 92 people died in crashes involving bicyclists, accounting for 20 percent of the nearly 4,500 fatalities on Texas roads.  Motorist should: Stop and yield for pedestrians, bicyclists and other vulnerable road users in crosswalks — When turning, yield the right of way to pedestrians and bicyclists. Walker should: Cross the street only at intersections and crosswalks — Use sidewalks and if there is no sidewalk, walk on the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic. Bicyclist should: Always stop at red lights and stop signs — Ride in the same direction as traffic and use bike lanes or ride as near as possible to the right-hand curb — At night, make sure your bike has a white light on the front and a red light or reflector on the back.

US Fatalities Soar in Early 2022

The number of road deaths in the United States continues to climb, with the federal government reporting in August that 9,560 people died in the first quarter of 2022. That’s a 7% increase from 2021, and the highest number in 20 years. “When everyday life came to a halt in March 2020, risky behaviors skyrocketed, and traffic fatalities spiked. We’d hoped these trends were limited to 2020. But sadly, they aren’t,” said Steven Cliff, the administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during a call with reporters. NHTSA estimated that 29 states and the District of Columbia saw increases in fatalities over 2021.

Drunk drivers causes 1,100 traffic deaths in Texas last year

Motorcycle fatalities in Texas up by 16 percent, Report Says

AUSTIN, Texas — A new study found that the rate of fatal motorcycle crashes has risen at an alarming rate in Texas.  “The national rate was up 11% and in Texas it was up 16%,” said Rob Bhatt, Analyst with QuoteWizard.com. “The other troubling statistic is that Texas and Mississippi lead nationally in the rate of motorcycle fatalities. It’s about 12 deaths per 10,000 registered motorcycles.”  ”We do see a lot of motorcycle crashes in the area,” “The majority of it is from vehicles colliding and failing to yield the right of way but, there are some instances where recklessness or carelessness caused the fatality,” said Sgt. Bryan Washko with DPS.  According to DPS, a lot of crashes involving motorcycles happen at stoplights. ”We advise motorists to take a second look because a third of fatalities occur at intersections,” said DPS.

The long road to zero; Traffic Fatalities Rise While Serious Injuries Fall in Austin

In January 2019, Lewis Leff began as Austin’s first transportation safety officer. The new role signaled the city’s commitment to attaining its Vision Zero policy, aimed at eliminating traffic-related deaths and serious injuries, which was implemented in 2015.  The initiative has yielded a mixed bag. The number of traffic fatalities grew from 79 in 2016 to a record 116 in 2021. On the other hand, the number of serious injuries, defined on Austin’s Vision Zero dashboard as any injury that “prevents continuation of normal activities,” dropped from 529 in 2016 to 518 in 2021.  Continue Austin Chronicle article:

More Speed Reductions Coming to Austin Streets

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Transportation Department completed a study to recommend speed modifications to certain streets within city limits.  The modifications would be for Level 3 and 4 streets outside the Urban Core classified in the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan.  The City of Austin established a policy to help end serious injury crashes and fatalities within the city’s mobility networks.

December 20, 2021 – AUSTIN (KXAN) — While traffic fatalities continue to trend upward both locally and nationally, roadways undergoing improvements through Austin’s Vision Zero initiative are noting reductions in the number of severe crashes around the city.  Data released by the Austin Transportation Department Monday reported a 17% reduction in severe crashes on high-injury roadways that have undergone recent enhancements. High-injury roadways are those areas with some of the largest concentrations of roadway crashes in the city.

A year after a life-changing car crash, former Bowie quarterback finds reasons to be thankful

Evan Mallett, a Bowie High graduate, says he has plenty to be thankful for. The former Bowie quarterback is remarkably positive for someone whose life changed forever during a horrific car crash in April 2020. He still has scars from 50 staples and 200 stitches that were used to piece his skull back together. He sustained teardrop fractures of the C4 and C5 vertebrae of his spine, multiple broken bones in his back and damage to his lungs.  Life is still a struggle, but he’s learning to cope with his disabilities. Weekly rehabilitation and two surgeries to straighten and stabilize the spinal cord have helped him physically and emotionally. Last year he survived after he took his eyes off the road and crashed into a pole on Texas 45 going about 60 mph.  In one year, Mallett’s story has changed from tragic to hopeful. If he can continue to make steady progress, his world will become more “normal.” – Nov. 25, 2021 – Austin Statesman.

Every year Texans gather on the third Sunday in November for the annual Texas World Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Traffic Violence. Sunday, November 21st from 1 – 2:30 PM CST …. We remember and honor those who have been hurt in traffic crashes across out state, provide fellowship and comfort for victims and family members, and unite in a call for changes at the local and state level that will make Texas streets and roads safe for all. The vigil will be virtual once again this year, with families, organizations, and communities across the state joining in from nodes as appropriate.

Nov. 17, 2021 – AUSTIN, Texas – There has been 99 fatal crashes that resulted in 107 deaths in Austin, and now officials say as we enter the holiday season, it can be an even deadlier time.  The Austin Transportation Department tells FOX 7 Austin that the most severe crashes are occuring on higher-speed, wider roadways, such as freeways. A map from Vision Zero shows the high-injury roadways and where the accidents occur. The map shows high-concentrated areas along South 1st near Slaughter Lane and William Cannon Drive, East Riverside and Pleasant Valley, MLK Boulevard, Parmer Lane, and Braker Lane.  For those traveling this holiday season, TxDOT wants to stress that more people will be on the road and road conditions might change. Travelers can stay up to date on the latest traffic conditions online here.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — While traffic slowly returns to pre-pandemic volumes, Austin Transportation Department say deadly crashes continue to increase.  The same thing is happening nationwide, with the National Safety Council estimating deadly crashes are up 16% from 2020 and 17% from 2019. The council reports there have been 21,450 traffic deaths in the first six months of 2021. In Texas, that number shot up 17% from last year, going from 1,765 traffic deaths in the first six months in 2020 to 2,063 this year.  “I think a lot of folks expected fewer people on the roadways, fewer serious injuries and fatalities,” said Lewis Leff, ATD safety officer.  However, Leff says that’s not the case.  Speeding is the primary factor in crashes involving serious injuries and deaths, he added.

AUSTIN — The Austin Police Department announced Thursday it will enforce a year-long “No Refusal” initiative as “an effort to reduce the number of crashes caused by impaired drivers.”  The initiative will run Oct. 2021 through Sept. 2022 every week, Thursday through Sunday.  APD has investigated  28 DWI driving fatalities in Austin in 2021.   “No Refusal” is a strategy that allows law enforcement to obtain search warrants for blood samples from suspected impaired drivers who refuse breath or blood tests.   Austin has seen a 28 percent increase in all traffic death in Austin so far in 2021. 82 deaths so far this year, 64 in all of 2020.  For all serious injury crashes citywide, APD measures there’s been a 26 percent increase from last year. 376 so far this year and 305 for all of 2020. Last year, APD arrested 1250 people through the no refusal program.  Drunk drivers contribute to more than 1/3 of Austin’s fatal crashes, APD says. Last year, there were more than 1,250 DWI-related arrests during “No Refusal Program” initiatives.

Despite a decrease in traffic crashes in 2020, Texas saw a dramatic rise in the number of people killed walking and biking on our roadways. Last year, 731 people died in pedestrian-related crashes, an increase of 9% from 2019. Crashes involving bicyclists claimed the lives of 82 people, up from 68 deaths the previous year.   Pedestrian and bicyclist deaths account for one in five of all traffic fatalities in the state.   The following is a press release from TxDOT:

While there were fewer people on the roadways and fewer traffic crashes throughout the year, 2020 saw a spike in the number of fatalities overall and deaths of Texans from not wearing seat belts.  Last year, the simple act of buckling up saved many Texans from death or serious injury in crashes. Unfortunately, in 2020 there was a 16% increase in deaths of unbuckled motorists.

Good news! On April 23, 2021, the TX House of Representatives passed HB 3325, the Crash Not Accident bill, to replace every instance of the word “accident” in the Texas Transportation Code with the more appropriate word “crash.” The bill, filed by State Representative J.M. Lozano, has a companion in the Texas Senate, SB 1945, filed by Senator Eddie Lucio Jr.  Farm&City and various partners collaborating with us on our Vision Zero Texas project to end traffic deaths statewide have been working on this bill for several years. The Crash Not Accident concept has been embraced by USDOT, TxDOT, Vision Zero cities, traffic safety advocates, and passionately carried forward by members of Families for Safe Streets.

Austin, Texas — Sadly, distracted driving is still near the top of the list when it comes to crashes on Texas roadways, coming in at No. 2 for traffic-related crash causes. Last year Texas roadways saw nearly 1 in 5 crashes caused by a distracted driver in which 364 people died and 2,200 were seriously injured.  TxDOT is re-launching its web-based augmented reality game “Dart Those Distractions” to reinforce the importance of paying attention behind the wheel.

U.S. road deaths increased in 2020 despite major decline in traffic, NSC report shows

Despite a dramatic decrease in the number of drivers on U.S. roads last year due to COVID-19, motor vehicle deaths nationwide in 2020 still increased by almost 10%, according to an analysis Thursday.  The National Safety Council said in its report that the “alarming” preliminary data show motor vehicle deaths on U.S. roads — about 42,000 total — climbed 8% in 2020 and the death rate topped 24%. Almost 5 million people were seriously injured in crashes last year.

Vision Zero attempting to lower number of Austinites killed in crashes

Fox7 AUSTIN – On average, one Austinite is killed in a crash every five days and one is seriously injured in a crash every 20 hours. An effort called Vision Zero is hoping to turn those numbers into zero.   In 2020, there were over 13,055 crashes reported. Of that, 434 people reported a serious injury and 92 people died. “That is an increase of about 5% in fatalities, but a decrease of over 20% in suspected serious injuries,” said Lewis Leff, Transportation Safety Officer for Vision Zero. “Nobody wants their family member or their friends to be injured or killed in a car crash so the only acceptable number is zero,” said Leff.   More

Zero Traffic Deaths National Campaign 

A new national campaign is gaining traction.  #ZeroTraffiDeaths was trending on Twitter on Tuesday as families and advocates across the nation called on the new administration to prioritize safety on our roads, and to end traffic deaths by 2050. Farm&City, Central Texas Families for Safe Streets, and Vision Zero Texas have joined the campaign, and you can too, by adding your name to the campaign’s letter of support.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE LETTER  

Despite Fewer Drivers, More People Died On Austin Roads In 2020 Than In The Past 5 Years

Jan. 20201 – KUT – A total of 94 people died on Austin roads last year, marking the highest number of traffic deaths in the city in five years. This might seem less remarkable if 2020 weren’t a year many people stayed home; with the COVID-19 pandemic raging since late March, drivers largely stayed off Austin’s roads. Traffic safety experts readied themselves for a dip in traffic deaths.   “We thought that if we could get people out of their cars … and working from home, that we would get a double bonus of less congestion on the roads and less people getting hurt and killed,” said Robert Wunderlich, director of the Center for Transportation Safety at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.  Wunderlich and other road safety experts say they think the cause is speed: Without traffic to slow people down, drivers were crashing into pedestrians, bicyclists and other drivers with deadly force.    In Austin, traffic deaths rose by 7%, even as the miles people drove at times dropped by nearly 80%.

20 Years of Deadly Crashes in Texas

Saturday, Nov. 7, marks 20 years of someone dying on a Texas road every single day, a troubling trend that the TxDOT is vigorously working to change.  More than 70,000 lives ended early. All on Texas roads.  “It finally hit me like a ton of bricks that these numbers were not statistics, these numbers were someone’s mother, someone’s father, someone’s child,” Texas Transportation Commissioner Laura Ryan said. According to TxDOT, an average of 10 people are killed on Texas roads each day.

Online dashboard tracks traffic crash trends in Austin

Austin city council votes to lower speed limits

June 19, 2020 – Statesman.com – Over the next several months, Austin drivers will start seeing posted signs alerting them to reduced speed limits on certain residential and urban core streets.  The reductions, aimed at improving traffic safety, were unanimously approved by the City Council earlier this month.  Continue story …

Amid rising deaths, police target dangerous driving

Austin police say they are shifting resources to deal with a high number of serious and sometimes deadly crashes on major roadways despite traffic being lower overall  “focusing on presence and enforcement on high-speed and high-traffic roadways,” APD said on May 18, 2020.  The decrease in road traffic, a by-product of the stay-at-home orders amid the coronavirus pandemic, has not translated into fewer fatal or serious injury crashes in Austin, police said.   “Officers also report seeing excessive speeds.”

Traffic is down, but fatal wrecks continue roads

“A crisis we have to solve” –  Austin traffic deaths spike in first month of 2020

“It’s a crisis we have to solve,” said Jay Crossley, director of Vision Zero Texas.  So far this year, 11 people have already died in crashes on Austin roads. The average from 2007 to 2015 is just four deaths in January.  When Vision Zero started in 2016, traffic deaths in Austin started to reduce with 79 in 2016, 76 in 2017 and 74 in 2018. But numbers spiked in 2019 with 88 traffic deaths.

“Leading Pedestrian Intervals” give Pedestrians a 5- to 7-second boost at Downtown Intersections

Jan. 12, 2020 – The 110 intersections within Downtown’s boundaries have been made safer for pedestrians with addition of Leading pedestrian intervals, or LPIs, which allow walkers an extra five-to-seven seconds to start crossing the street before drivers get a green light. It’s the latest tool to achieve Vision Zero in Austin.  Said, ATD Director Robert Spillar, LPIs “improve safety by giving pedestrians a head start,” making those on foot more visible to drivers, and “reinforce a pedestrian’s right of way.”

Austin Traffic Death Continue to Increase Since Adopting VisionZero Plan

December 18, 2019 – CBSAustin News – This year 86 people have been killed on Austin roads and 2019 is not yet over. More friends and family members are dying despite city council having a goal to eliminate traffic deaths by 2025.   In May of 2016 Austin City Council adopted the Vision Zero Action Plan. City leaders put in writing the goal to eliminate traffic deaths by 2025.  Initially traffic deaths declined from 102 in 2015 to 79 lives lost in 2016, 76 deaths in 2017 and 74 people killed in 2018. However, so far in 2019 86 people have died– an increase of nearly 15 percent compared to last year.  (Fatalities updated)

---

“Do not become or do not create one of these statistics because each and every one of these statistics is a human life, is a mother, a father, a brother, a sister, a son or a daughter and there is just simply no excuse.”  – Austin Police Chief Brian Manley, May 2019

2019 Austin Vigil Remembers Road Traffic Victims with ceremony on November 17

Central Texas Families Demand Vision Zero for Every City, Every County

AUSTIN, TX – In honor of the victims of traffic violence, Central Texas Families for Safe Streets (CTFSS) co-hosted a vigil with affected families, nonprofit groups, and community members. The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims event was held Sunday, November 17 (Click here for pictures and story). Attendees honored those lost and hurt by traffic violence with a ceremony, featuring affected families, advocates and local officials, including Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Austin Mayor Pro-Tem Delia Garza .

At the event, safety advocates publicly call for swift implementation of safety measures across Texas.   Street safety advocates called on every elected official in Texas to take responsibility for their role in ending the epidemic of traffic violence. From every Texas mayor and county judge to the President of the United States, a group of nonprofits and community organizations believes leaders at every level of government need to adopt goals and action plans to end traffic deaths. On average, 10 people are killed on Texas roads every day due to traffic violence and another 50 sustain life-altering serious injuries.

---

Traffic deaths are preventable if we take action

By State Rep. Celia Israel — Last week marks a grim anniversary in Texas history.  Since Nov. 7, 2000, Texas has not had a deathless day on its roads. And on average, we suffer 10 traffic fatalities each day. That’s 10 lives lost, 10 families grieving and 10 communities forever altered.  It’s a tragic reality that we’ve each come to understand for ourselves. We all know someone who has either lost their life or been injured on Texas roads, whether as a pedestrian, cyclist or automobile driver. And that’s not just on major roads like interstates and major arterial streets. Even our neighborhoods and inner city streets have become more dangerous.  (Read full Editorial on Statesman.Com)

Vision Zero Goals for No Traffic Fatalities Not On the Horizon – City Auditor finds goal unlikely

Oct. 4, 2019 – Austin Chronicle — Despite serious efforts made by the city to reduce traffic fatalities, a new report from the city auditor says Austin’s Vision Zero goals are “unlikely” to be achieved. After more than 100 people died in local traffic crashes in 2015, the city embarked on its Vision Zero plan to reach zero fatal and serious injury crashes within city limits by 2025. Released Sept. 25, the audit report applauds the city’s work with Capital Metro and the Texas Department of Transportation to achieve its goal, but found that “factors outside the city’s control make it unlikely” to achieve the goal within six years.

While the Austin Transportation Department has been working to improve safety at intersections, the data used to identify which intersections to update – nine have been completed with another eight to go – did not come from the Vision Zero plan. Though a new list identifies at least 150 more that need updates, ATD can only improve three to four per year.

Read full Story

(photo by Joe Van Wyk)

The 2018 World Day of Remembrance
for the Victims of Traffic Violence:
Texas Vision Zero Vigil

City of Austin Proclamation
by Mayor Steve Adler for:
The 2018 World Day of Remembrance
for the Victims of Traffic Violence: Texas Vision Zero Vigil

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Vision Zero advocates look to Legislature to help reduce traffic deaths

As part of its September “Save Me with a Seat” campaign, TxDOT is encouraging parents to sign up for a free child safety seat check-up at any of its 25 district offices located throughout Texas.  Free safety seat inspections are available weekdays – about 20 to 30 minutes. To schedule with a TxDOT Traffic Safety Specialist, visit SaveMeWithaSeat.org for more information.   Read More Here.

With Vision Zero in third year, traffic fatalities on pace to exceed the city’s average

Oct 26, 2018 – CommunityImpactNews — Intersection improvements. Downtown’s new Sobering Center. The scooters. Austin Police Department officers riding a Capital Metro bus looking, from their perch, for drivers who are texting.  These are some of the initiatives that fall under the city of Austin’s Vision Zero action plan, which City Council adopted in 2016 following a record-high year for traffic fatalities.

The goal? To reach zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2025.   As the plan enters its third year, however, at least 57 people have died in Austin in 2018, a nearly 12-percent increase from this time last year.   “I think it is difficult to have an expectation on an issue that is so complex and [for which]the solutions demand such a broad spectrum of action,” said Laura Dierenfield, active transportation program manager for the Austin Transportation Department.

In line with the plan, city staff and safety advocates agree that traffic fatalities will decrease only when there are fewer cars moving at lower speeds on higher-density streets shared with people using other forms of transportation: bikes, dockless mobility, public transportation and their own two feet.  But they also acknowledged that, in a city full of commuters with a developing public transit system, this is a hard task.

To register, visit www.aaa.com/4dsummit for AAA Annual 4-D Summit on Tuesday, September 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Palmer Events Center, at 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin. This event is free and lunch will be provided.  You may be asked to input your zip code on our Web site.  Attached is preliminary agenda items.

Changing the Way We Think About Distracted Driving
Countermeasures to Stop Alcohol-Impaired Drivers
Teens Taking the Wheel in 4D
Prescription Drugs & Driving
Asleep at the Wheel: Drowsy Driving Data
Legalization of Marijuana: What to Expect?
 Preparing for the Legislative Battle Ahead

Register Today:
ADA 28: Accessibility in Every Direction

TxDOT’s Civil Rights Division will be hosting ADA 28: Accessibility in Every Direction, a half-day discussion and exhibition focused on celebrating the 28th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on Monday, July 23, 2018, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the TxDOT Riverside Campus in Austin. This event is free and open to the public.  For more information about this event, contact Ms. Juanita Webber at Juanita.Webber@txdot.gov. We hope you will join us!

Register now for Texas Statewide Pedestrian Safety Forum on July 12, 2018, Time: 9:00 – 3:30pm at the Norris Conference Centers | 2525 W Anderson Ln #365, Austin, TX 78757   …   More Information Here

What is Vision Zero?

The concept of Vision Zero first originated in Sweden in 1997, when the Swedish parliament adopted it as the official road policy. Founded on the belief that loss of life is not an acceptable price to pay for mobility, Vision Zero takes a systems approach to enhancing safety. Rather than exclusively faulting drivers and other users of the transportation system, Vision Zero places the core responsibility for crashes on the overall system design, addressing infrastructure design, vehicle technology, and enforcement.

The approach has resulted in noteworthy successes – Sweden has one of the lowest annual rates of road deaths in the world: 3 out of 100,000 as compared to 11.6 in the United States (2012), a reduction of 39%. Over the past decade, many other European nations have adopted Vision Zero programs and have achieved significant fatality reductions, for example: Switzerland (41%), Germany (45%), France (48%) and Spain (53%).^[reference]

Here in the states, Vision Zero has found success as well, with a 43% reduction in traffic fatalities in Minnesota, a 48% reduction in Utah, and a 40% decrease in Washington State, and in 2014, pedestrian fatalities in NYC were the lowest they’ve ever been since records began about a century ago.

Vision Zero is based on four principles:^[reference]

• Ethics: Human life and health are paramount and take priority over mobility and other objectives of the road traffic system
• Responsibility: providers and regulators of the road traffic system share responsibility with users;
• Safety: road traffic systems should take account of human fallibility and minimize both the opportunities for errors and the harm done when they occur; and
• Mechanisms for change: providers and regulators must do their utmost to guarantee the safety of all citizens; they must cooperate with road users; and all three must be ready to change to achieve safety.

What are some other American cities that have implemented Vision Zero?

     The Vision Zero Network in America, a comprehensive website.

New York

Los Angeles

Chicago

Boston

Portland