Want Safer Streets? Then Slow Down

"Yes – we’re all human and we make mistakes, but human error shouldn’t result in life or death situations," writes Alli Henry, the program manager for WalkArlington.

Henry is following on a specific component of the recent "Dangerous By Design" report, published by Smart Growth America. That is: cities can prevent fatalities by slowing the speed of traffic.

"It’s no coincidence progressive cities are reducing speed limits to 20-25 mph," writes Henry. "Research has determined that traveling above 30 mph puts our most vulnerable users at higher risk of serious injuries and death."

Henry mentions the examples of Boston and Seattle, both of which have lowered speed limits in broad swaths of their cities in recent months.