The proposed legislation could energize efforts to eliminate fatal crashes and fix the structural flaws that make roads inherently more dangerous.

A bill making its way through the Connecticut state legislature would codify the state’s commitment to Vision Zero and require municipalities to actively plan for safer and more accessible roads for all users. In an op-ed published on CT News Junkie, Kerri Ana Provost argues in favor of the bill, pointing out that “One month into 2023, 42 collisions resulting in 43 pedestrian deaths during 2022 were entered into the [Connecticut Crash Data Repository] database.”
Provost parses the data to understand the nature of the crashes, revealing that pedestrian distraction did not factor into any of the fatal crashes in 2022. “Looking back at 2021, only two of the 58 victims were noted as being distracted, and the nature of it was described as being outside of a vehicle, not on a phone.”
Among other initiatives, the bill would require cities to create Complete Streets or Comprehensive Safety plans and allow automated traffic enforcement, which is shown to reduce serious crashes. Provost urges legislators to support the bill and its promise for systemic change, noting that making streets safe for all is about much more than just telling pedestrians to be more careful. “Instead of shunning victims of traffic violence for a split-second poor decision they may have made, we should look at how our system sets us up for failure.”
Traffic safety advocates around the country are making similar calls for reorienting road safety efforts toward addressing infrastructure and design issues rather than focusing singularly on pedestrian and driver awareness and education.
FULL STORY: Vision Zero Bill Would Address Causes of Pedestrian Crashes

The End of Single-Family Zoning in Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is the latest jurisdiction in the country to effectively end single-family zoning.

‘Train Daddy’ Andy Byford to Oversee Amtrak’s High-Speed Rail Efforts
Byford, who formerly ran NYC Transit and Transport for London, could bring renewed vigor to the agency’s plans to expand regional rail in the United States.

Seattle Bus Lane Cameras Capture Over 100,000 Violations
An automated traffic enforcement pilot program caught drivers illegally using transit lanes more than 110,000 times in less than a year.

Immigration Grows, Population Drops in Many U.S. Counties
International immigration to the country’s most populous areas tripled even as major metropolitan areas continued to lose population.

$616 Million in Development Incentives Approved for District Detroit
The “Transformational Brownfield” incentives approved by the Detroit City Council for the $1.5 billion District Detroit still require approval by the state.

Affordable Housing Development Rejected for Lack of Third Staircase in Connecticut
The New Canaan Planning Commission rejected a development proposal, including 31 below-market-rate apartments, for lack of a third staircase, among other reasons, at a time when advocates are pushing to relax two-staircase requirements.
Houston-Galveston Area Council
City of Malibu
Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Spearfish
City of Lomita
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