Austin Traffic Fatalities Triple in January

After three consecutive years of declining traffic fatalities, following the adoption of Vision Zero goals in 2015, the city of Austin had a tragic 2019, followed by a tragic January, according to an article by Cailin Crowe. The city reported 11 fatalities, a tripling of the total from the same timeframe in the previous year.

"Despite a number of recent road safety improvements, including new protected bike lanes and even a car-free street pilot [Planetizen coverage of the Rainey Street entertainment district], Austin is facing struggles that are emblematic of the challenges many cities across the country are experiencing as they work toward the ambitious goal to have zero pedestrian, cyclist or motorist deaths on their streets," writes Crowe.

The article includes soundbites from local and national traffic safety efforts, who describe the challenges facing Vision Zero implementation and a few insights about how to overcome the largest remaining obstacles to streets and roads that are safe for all users.