In order to address the rise in fatal traffic accidents in the state of North Carolina, various cities have joined the Vision Zero initiative to get traffic accidents down to zero.
The Vision Zero program is a strategy started in Sweden to get traffic accidents down to zero. The strategy was successful in Sweden and in other European countries. As a result, the program has gained traction in the United States.
Vision Zero Network claims to take a different approach to road safety. The strategy recognizes that mistakes are a part of human nature, and how systems can implement policies and designs that can prevent fatal accidents based off this understanding.
Greensboro reported in the Vision Zero Two-Year Action Plan that in 2017 that there were 42 roadway fatalities, which is 17 more in comparison to 2016's total of 25 accidents. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation in their North Carolina 2023 Traffic Crash Facts report, Greensboro had 35 fatalities, which is seven less in comparison to 2017's data.
Adam Fisher, the Greensboro Transportation Director, stated in an interview for the CityofGreensboroNC YouTube Vision Zero Greensboro video "Our previous high was 28."
One of the programs Greensboro implemented is the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP). This is an initiative by the Greensboro Department of Transportation (GDOT).
The purpose of this initiative is to do a study of qualifying streets, collect data on them, and see what can be done to improve the safety of that street. The application period has already passed, which was from June 24, 2024, to August 31, 2024.
According to the NTMP website, the next schedule for the initiativeis set for Spring 2025 and is to focus on Project Development. Summer of 2025 will focus on Project Delivery.
All streets do not qualify for NTMP, however. There are factors that can prevent streets from qualifying for the program. For example, private streets or streets that are managed by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) do not qualify for this program.
Other cities, such as Raleigh and Charlotte, have also partnered with Vision Zero to reduce fatal traffic accidents.
The Charlotte Department of Transportation has formed a Vision Zero Task Force with prominent members of the Charlotte community. This task force was put together to receive feedback on programs implemented to reduce accidents and keep track of the city's progress.
Charlotte has also worked on various projects that focus on improving overall road safety. In their Vision Zero 2020 Highlights, they mention reducing speed limits down to 25 mph in Uptown Charlotte and in 181 streets. Similarly to Greensboro's Neighborhood Traffic Management Program, these streets were "requested for traffic calming."
Dr. Adison Ray, a doctor for the Division for Acute Care Surgery at Atrium Health, did an interview with the Charlotte Department of Transportation. “Motor Vehicle collisions are by far in way the number one reason why our trauma team is activated to treat serious injury" Ray claims. "In fact, car crashes are one of the number causes of preventable long term disability and death.”
“Vision Zero initiatives are doing their part to alter human behavior, have people drive within speed limits, eliminate distracted driving. So, hopefully, we’ll be able to alter that on my street.” Ray states.
Raleigh was awarded a grant to work with an engineering firm to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan that’s to be completed by Fall 2025. Raleigh also has their own Neighborhood Traffic Management Program to collect data and find solutions to reduce traffic accidents.
The first action that will be implemented is to reduce the street speed limit. Streets with less than 4000 cars will be reduced down to 25 mph, while streets with more than 4000 cars will be reduced to 30 mph.
Before the speed limit change is implemented, residents will be given the opportunity to vote on whether these changes should be implemented. If 50% + 1 votes in favor of the change, the City Council will review the request.
“I hope that all Charlotteans recognize their role to play" states Dr. Adison Ray.
Giana Diaz is a Mass Media Production Student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.