car crashes

Freeway in New York State with signs for New York City and Scranton.

Traffic Deaths Rise in New York State, Despite Fewer Crashes

Traffic fatality rates have spiked in New York State since the pandemic, with speeding and drunk driving among the biggest catalysts.

July 1, 2024 - Times Union

Two cars crashed head-on into each other on wet asphalt road.

The Geography of Fatal Car Crashes

Where do the most traffic deaths happen?

March 11, 2024 - Arizona's Family

Row of white Tesla electric cars in parking lot with dealership building with Tesla logo in background.

Study: Tesla Drivers Have Higher Crash Rates

Insurance data shows a higher rate of crashes and the second highest rate of ‘incidents’ such as DUI citations.

December 20, 2023 - Jalopnik

Nighttime view of fire truck and police cars with flashing lights on parked in a wet street

Dashcam Footage Shows Tesla Colliding With First Responder

The car failed to recognize the stopped emergency vehicle until just two seconds before the crash.

August 10, 2023 - The Wall Street Journal

Black and white photo of actress Jayne Mansfield leaning out of the window of a military plane wearing flight helmet for promotional photo

The Mansfield Bar: How a Celebrity Death Changed Auto Safety

The shocking death of actress Jayne Mansfield 56 years ago today led to changes in the trucking industry, but underride crashes continue to kill hundreds of people each year.

June 29, 2023 - Diana Ionescu

View of wide residential street in Dallas, Texas neighborhood with one white car parked at the curb and large tree with yellow fallen leaves around it

Texas State Bills Would Let Cities Lower Speed Limits

The proposed legislation would give cities the ability to reduce neighborhood speed limits without having to produce expensive traffic studies.

April 18, 2023 - The Dallas Morning News

Traffic on freeway in Houston, Texas with downtown buildings in background

Houston Traffic Deaths Dipped in 2022

Fatal crashes killed slightly fewer people in 2022 than in 2021, but deaths are still significantly higher than in 2019.

January 23, 2023 - Axios

OVerturned vehicle with fire truck and firefighters assisting

The Unequal Impacts of Traffic Crashes

Rates of traffic deaths vary widely among racial and economic groups but continue to rise across the board.

August 25, 2022 - The New York Times

20 miles per hour speed limit sign in school zone

San Jose Begins Lowering Speed Limits

Thanks to a state bill, California cities can reduce speed limits on city streets by 5 miles per hour to improve traffic safety.

July 6, 2022 - San José Spotlight

Pedestrians and Cars

Traffic Deaths in Cities and Suburbs, a 2020s Update

Traditionally, many cities have had lower car crash death rates than suburbs. But is this still the case?

March 14, 2022 - Michael Lewyn

Construction Worker

Why 'Accidents' Are Not Inevitable

A new book argues that accidental deaths, from car crashes to industrial accidents, are a result of a 'rapacious' capitalist system that prioritizes profits over people.

February 16, 2022 - Streetsblog New York City

Crash test dummies in a car

Coalition Calls for Updated Federal Crash Test Standards

Revising federal crash test standards and updating test dummies to mimic a wider variety of bodies could save thousands of lives each year.

December 31, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Highway Speed

Can't Drive 55: America's Dangerous Love of Speeding

While most Americans agree that speeding is a threat to public safety, dysfunctional laws and inadequate enforcement perpetuate a culture of tacitly sanctioned high-speed driving.

December 26, 2021 - Slate

Ghost Bike

Replacing Houston's Missing Ghost Bikes

A Houston couple is asking for help installing 'ghost bike' memorials, a stark reminder of the dangers of unsafe roads to cyclists.

December 19, 2021 - The Houston Chronicle

Biking in Denver

Study: More Bike Infrastructure Could Prevent 15,000 Deaths Annually

In addition to reducing air pollution and congestion, improving bike infrastructure could save thousands of lives each year, according to new research.

December 8, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Emergency Response

Sirens May Do 'More Harm Than Good,' Research Shows

The ear-piercing sirens used by emergency vehicles are shown to have little impact on patient outcomes while contributing to more dangerous road conditions, experts say.

October 21, 2021 - The New York Times

Crash

Major Flaws in the U.S. Car Crash Reporting System

The lack of a nationwide standard and extensive officer discretion lead to inconsistent data when it comes to traffic crashes and fatalities.

July 29, 2021 - Streetsblog L.A.

Uber Autonomous Vehicle

Who's at Fault When Self-Driving Cars Kill People?

As more autonomous vehicles hit the road and inevitably cause crashes, courts will have to contend with a complex web of responsibility when ruling on wrongful death cases.

July 26, 2021 - Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann

Police

Research: Traffic Stops Don't Stop Traffic Deaths

A comprehensive study using data from 33 states shows no significant correlation between police stops and reduced crash rates.

July 22, 2021 - Streetsblog USA

Red Light Camera

Texas Lawmakers Want to Shut Down Grandfathered Red-Light Cameras

Despite a statewide ban approved by the Texas State Legislature in 2019, four Texas cities still have active contracts with photographic enforcement companies.

May 7, 2021 - The Houston Chronicle

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.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.