Dangerous by Design 2021 chronicles the impact of street design on pedestrian deaths, but the increasing size of the vehicle fleet is also contributing to the growing numbers of people struck and killed while walking. Federal policymakers so far appear to be asleep at the switch.
In the 2021 Dangerous by Design webinar, Smart Growth America’s Beth Osborne and report author Rayla Bellis explored the report’s finding and rankings, and offered solutions to make streets safer for people walking and biking.
Advocates Dr. Scott M. Crawford and Gladys Bunzy give a ground-level perspective on what it’s like to rely on transit, walk and get around using a motorized wheelchair and other assistive devices in Jackson, MS, the #7 most dangerous large metro area in this year’s Dangerous by Design report.
Latanya Byrd tells a personal story of loss and grief on Roosevelt Boulevard, the most deadly street in Philadelphia, PA. With 12 lanes through most of its length, 700+ crashes per year, and several deaths of people walking each year, it’s a prime example of a street designed for speed over safety, and Latanya tells the personal story of how this dangerous street affected her family.
Designing streets for slower speeds are directly connected to improving safety and reducing deaths. So what does it look like to prioritize safety over speed in practice?
The deadliest metro areas and states for people walking, rolling, or using other assistive devices have been identified in Dangerous by Design 2021. Read and share the report today.