Chicago’s Vision Zero Plan Looks to Prevent Auto Deaths and Injuries

 Posted on September 29, 2017 in Personal Injury

In Chicago, more than 2,000 people are killed or seriously injured in traffic accidents each year, with an average of five serious injuries each day and one death every three days. The City of Chicago has been looking to lower the number of traffic deaths and injuries that occur, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel recently released the city’s Vision Zero plan, which has a goal of reducing deaths from car crashes by 20 percent and serious injuries by 35 percent by the year 2020. The plan’s ultimate goal is to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries altogether by 2026.

A Vision of Traffic Safety

Vision Zero is an international project that began in Sweden in the 1990s. Because of its success throughout Europe, the plan is now being put into effect across the United States. Chicago is joining cities such as New York, San Francisco, and Seattle in implementing these safety goals.

Chicago’s Vision Zero plan has used data to identify areas, intersections, and neighborhoods in which car crashes are more likely to occur, and these areas will receive top priority for safety improvements. The city plans to work to build streets that are safer for both drivers and pedestrians, provide education to promote a culture of safety, and implement policies intended to make vehicles safer and encourage safety in professional drivers.

Safety for Drivers, Pedestrians, and Bicyclists

In 2016, Bicycling magazine named Chicago the best bike city in the United States. With 148 miles of bike lanes, which includes 108 miles of lanes protected by barriers or buffers, Chicago provides some great resources for bicyclists, including the 1.4 percent of the city’s population who bike to work.

Unfortunately, the number of bikes on the road has resulted in more bicycle accidents. As part of the Vision Zero plan, Chicago plans to ensure that large trucks are equipped with safety equipment such as convex mirrors that allow drivers to see the full area around their truck and side guards that prevent pedestrians and cyclists from being caught underneath a truck in a crash.

The Vision Zero plan also includes plans for training city employees and contractors as well as drivers regulated by the city such as taxi and Uber drivers. Through this training and a continued emphasis on educating people about the dangers of speeding and distracted driving, the city hopes to provide a safer environment for everyone who uses its roads.

Protecting Your Rights in Traffic Accidents

While the Vision Zero plan provides a great goal for traffic safety, car accidents are unfortunately always going to be a reality. If you have been involved in a serious traffic accident and have suffered an injury, be sure that you are represented by an attorney who understands your rights.

At Martoccio & Martoccio, we can help you receive the compensation you deserve for any injuries related to car accidents. Contact one of our DuPage County personal injury attorneys, and we will work with you to make sure you have the resources you need to survive the legal process surrounding your personal injury.

Sources:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-vision-zero-chicago-0613-mayor-rahm-emanuel-on-monday-released-the-citys-thr-20170612-story.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-chicago-bicyclists-killed-edit-20160928-story.html

http://visionzeronetwork.org/