Distracted driving is a problem that we are all aware of, but it is also notoriously difficult to quantify the scale of. This is due to the wide array of distractions that impact car drivers, which increasingly cost in terms of lost lives, property and serious injuries. More needs to be done by car and mobile phone manufacturers to restrict distractions while driving – promoting safety through software and hardware. For now though, we are left to self-discipline for the sake of public health: when we drive a car, we should do so with as few distractions as possible.
In 2020 there were 6,516 pedestrians killed due to motor traffic in the United States. That equates to 18 pedestrians every day or 125 pedestrians every week. Why does this happen? Walking isn't an inherently dangerous activity – but walking in an environment that's built primarily for cars is. Recognizing this serious problem is not difficult, but reversing trends and creating safer walking and biking environments requires re-designing our streets so everyone feels safe, regardless of their mode of transportation.
DCR is happy to announce the availability of a new web application for the County of San Luis Obispo. In addition to bikeway infrastructure, the map shows MTB and hiking trails along with trailheads, bus stops, bike shops and more. The map was developed on behalf of the SLO Rideshare program. We hope to follow on with a set of printed maps as well.
According to the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) the main reasons for the continued drop in traffic deaths are reduced speed limits better adapted to existing road designs, safer cars and, in urban areas, separating and protecting pedestrians and cyclists from auto traffic.
Targets and efforts towards Vision Zero (no deaths or major injuries in traffic) in Sweden have consistently aligned to reduce the number of crash deaths, the number now less than half of what it was 20 years ago (550 deaths in 1998).
