One-Way Streets Have Worse Crashes, Higher Crime and Lower Property Values — Why do we Still Use Them?

One-way streets may move traffic more efficiently, but did you know they contribute to a decline in road safety and local economic development? In his newest video on the City Beautiful YouTube channel, Dave Amos explains why more cities are returning one-way streets to two-way.

According to a piece by Aysha Khan in Next City, “Not all one-way streets are bad; sometimes they work well for narrow corridors or pedestrian-heavy areas.” But Amos argues that many downtown one-way streets are unnecessary, create dangerous conditions for people outside of cars, and reduce connectivity. “Research even suggests they can depress property values and raise crime rates — impacts that often reverse when cities restore two-way traffic.” 

In the video, Amos outlines the history of one-way streets, which began popping up in urban areas in the 1940s and 1950s, often effectively serving as connections between highways. Amos explains how different street patterns impact traffic speeds, safety, and flexibility. One-way streets offer a quick way to get to major roads and freeways, but make it more difficult to access local businesses or make unplanned stops. Meanwhile, “Two-way streets create safer spaces and provide more connectivity.”