The new law is billed as a pedestrian safety measure, which is just one of the problems with the law according to critics.
"The Dayton City Commission this week approved an ordinance that officials say seeks to reduce pedestrian strikes but that critics paint as a thinly veiled attempt to criminalize panhandling," reports Cornelius Frolik.
There are also critics who are concerned that the lawn criminalizes walking, in addition to criminalizing homelessness.
Laws like this that persecute pedestrians (nominally for their own safety but really for the convenience of motorists) are about power and social status, not safety.
If anything they make pedestrians less safe by increasing their marginalization. https://t.co/HbCVjwsTL3— Angie Schmitt (@schmangee) May 25, 2018
"The ordinance prohibits pedestrians from getting within three feet of vehicles that are in operation along 51 of Dayton’s busiest and most dangerous roadways," adds Frolik.
The article includes more about the city's efforts to reduce the number of pedestrians hit by drivers of cars in the city (685 in the past year). More conventional previous efforts include red light and speed cameras. Frolik also includes local voices of opposition to the plan.
FULL STORY: Dayton OK’s ‘road safety’ law, but critics say it criminalizes being poor and panhandling
Where Enforcement of Jaywalking Equals Criminalization of Homelessness
Records in Salt Lake City show that police in Salt Lake City concentrate jaywalking enforcement in the corner of the city that houses most of the city's homeless services.
Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA
The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie