Around the world, car crashes are the tenth leading cause of death, and while the United States is spending money on transportation, that money isn't making the roads safer.
The World Resources Institute joined with the World Bank to create a report on traffic deaths around the world. "Despite having more resources to tackle road redesigns and reduce traffic fatalities, the United States isn’t keeping up with many of its peer nations when it comes to creating safer streets," Patrick Sisson reports for Curbed.
The problem isn't a lack of knowledge about what works to make the roads safer, those measures are well-documented. "Lowering driving speeds to reduce fatal accidents; designing safer crossings, roadways, and sidewalks to make travel safer for pedestrians and cyclists; building safer infrastructure, such as roundabouts, and funding more public transportation," Sisson reports.
There are bright spots. When Vision Zero plans are undertaken seriously, and not in name only, cities around the country have seen results. "U.S. planners have a tool kit that’s worked in other countries, says Welle, proven solutions that can aid in the effort to reduce traffic fatalities: fixing and adding sidewalks, roundabouts, and bike lanes; initiating traffic calming measures; funding more high-quality public transport; legislating for safer vehicles; and funding faster emergency room response," Sisson writes.
FULL STORY: Global traffic study suggests U.S lagging behind peers in road safety
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