What Is Vision Zero And Its Role in Traffic Deaths?

A Vision Zero campaign is a new approach to traffic safety to eliminate all road fatalities and severe injuries. While factors like weather and road conditions can contribute to accidents, most crashes are caused by human error.

The most common reason for car crashes in California is distracted driving, followed by speeding, which causes accidents and deaths among all age groups. California launched a Vision Zero campaign to eliminate all road fatalities and severe injuries to address this problem. It was projected that Vision Zero will be able to reduce traffic fatalities by 90% in 2050.

The program is based on a Swedish campaign with the same name that successfully reduced traffic fatalities. Underpinning the Safe System Strategy, the Vision Zero policy is a holistic safety approach that transfers responsibility from road users to road designers. The campaign integrates key management and action areas to produce a safe mobility system that is tolerant of human errors.

The role of Vision Zero in eliminating traffic death

Vision Zero is a strategy that aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries. The program is based on the principle that no loss of life is acceptable and that humans are fallible and make mistakes. Its goal is to create a system where those mistakes do not lead to fatalities or serious injuries.

The government of California incorporated several actionable strategies into Vision Zero to achieve these goals. Below are some of them:

Prioritize roadway design

One of the essential aspects of Vision Zero is roadway design. Roads should be well-designed to minimize the chances of crash occurrences. This includes median dividers, well-marked crosswalks, and traffic lights.

Moreover, when designing a road, the spacing of trees, poles, and other objects should be considered. The goal is to keep the environment as open and visible as possible.

Improve driver behavior

Driver behavior is another critical factor in preventing crashes. Drivers need to obey the road rules, be aware of their surroundings, and be cautious when approaching intersections.

One of the most common reasons for car crashes in California is driver distraction. Drivers need to pay attention to the road and are not looking at their phones or talking to passengers. Distracted driving can be hazardous and lead to severe accidents.

Enforce traffic laws

Another critical aspect of Vision Zero is the enforcement of traffic laws. Drivers must be held accountable for their actions on the road. This includes following speed limits, stopping at stop signs, and yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks.

Furthermore, law enforcement needs to crack down on drunk driving and reckless driving. This way, the roads will be safer for everyone.

Education and awareness

Everyone needs to be aware of the principles of Vision Zero and how they can help make the roads safer. This includes drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and even the general public. By educating the public, we can make the roads safer.

Focus on speed management

One of the most important aspects of reducing traffic fatalities is managing speed. When drivers are going too fast, they are less likely to be able to stop in time if they need to, as this will likely cause a crash.

Speed management is also important for pedestrians and cyclists. When people are crossing the street or riding their bikes, they need to be able to do so safely. This means that drivers need to go the speed limit and not speed through neighborhoods or schools.

Collaboration and enforcement

Vision Zero cannot be successful without the collaboration of the government and law enforcement. The government must create laws and regulations supporting the campaign, and law enforcement must impose these laws.

With the help of the government and law enforcement, Vision Zero can become a reality in California. This will make the state a safer place for everyone and help reduce the number of traffic fatalities each year.

Takeaway

Despite the name, Vision Zero is not just about reducing fatalities. The ultimate goal is to create a safe transportation system for everyone, regardless of the mode of transportation. Even if this means designing safe streets for cars, pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation.

Vision Zero is also about changing the culture around transportation. Instead of accepting traffic deaths as a normal part of life, we should be working to prevent them whenever possible.