Gerald F. Lackey’s Post

Ensuring traffic safety is a delicate balancing act between protecting all road users and maintaining smooth traffic flow. Politicians face tough decisions, navigating competing interests and budget constraints. Measures like lower speed limits and dedicated bike lanes can improve safety but may lead to public backlash due to perceived inconveniences. The complicating factor is that while the impact of measures on traffic flow can be calculated, the effect on safety can only be estimated. This makes it challenging to determine whether the investments are worthwhile. Innovative technologies like Roadscor can help assess the impact of proposed measures, ensuring decisions are effective and equitable. Having such advanced tools available supports faster decision making to avoid further personal tragedies. Where road fatalities are often a reduced to a number (798 crashes from 2014 to 2023, of which 8 were fatal), the heart-felt appeal of an 11-year old shows traffic safety is personal: https://lnkd.in/gD-isQKA In this case the measures (for now) are two new signs and increased speed enforcement patrols along the route. What will the impact be? Will there be an impact? #TrafficSafety #UrbanPlanning #PublicPolicy #RoadSafety #SmartCities

Montgomery County Department of Transportation reports: between July 1st 2023 and June 30th 2024, serious and fatal crashes dropped 11 percent compared to the pre-COVID-19 years of 2015 to 2019. The reduction was driven by a 28 percent decline in serious and fatal crashes on high-injury network (HIN) corridors that Montgomery County prioritizes in their Vision Zero Action Plan. Elovate has been MCDOT's partner for its Automated Speed Enforcement programs since early 2007, with program expansions over time and more road safety initiatives planned in the future. #VisionZero #SaferRoads #SafeDriving #PartnersForSuccess https://lnkd.in/gRbVStgH

This ABC News article highlights the truly shocking levels of trauma inflicted on pedestrians in the Northern Territory, which notes that 40 pedestrians have died on NT roads since 2019. This is a complex issue that will simply never be solved using current adopted approaches. Increased pedestrian walk time at signalised crossings and street light upgrades may help, but only where this infrastructure exists or is feasible to install. Unfortunately it is too expensive to install street lighting and traffic signals on thousands of kilometres of road. The 'new systems thinking approach' promoted by the Australasian College of Road Safety would be a good start to help address this issue. The idea is pretty simple - we need to acknowledge the different participants in the road system and their varying levels of authority, and work in a coordinated manner to address the issue. Whilst road authorities are a key participant, we also need to consider health and social services - by working together this could reduce or eliminate the need for pedestrians to expose themselves to danger on high speed roads. Austroads's 'Charting a Path to Zero' project can also play a massive part by providing road system participants a pathway towards implementing such a coordinated and effective approach. https://lnkd.in/gAE3dtP5

Part of our effort to hold the City accountable to meeting Philadelphia’s Vision Zero goals includes analyzing fatal crash data throughout the year. The good news: overall traffic deaths are down in the first six months of 2024 compared to the previous four years. The bad news: the percentage of pedestrian deaths has gone up. What can the City do? The answer remains the same: better, safer infrastructure and consistent enforcement of laws governing dangerous driving behavior. Read our full analysis: https://lnkd.in/eZXhBqHQ

Understanding the I-10 Traffic Jam: Key Insights from the Far East Bexar County Crash In Far East Bexar County, a significant traffic incident has led to a major alert for drivers in the region. This morning, a serious crash occurred that has resulted in… #CountyCrash #FarEastBexar #TrafficJam >>> Read more

After reaching a 40-year peak in 2022, pedestrian fatalities in the United States have finally fallen. According to a survey by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), the incidence of pedestrian fatalities will decrease by 5.4 percent in 2023. This is the first decline since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a big but cautious step forward for road safety. #goodnews #solutions #optimism https://lnkd.in/gxtZJxhG

AAA Studies the COVID Pandemic's Tragic Effects on Traffic Safety A new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals the COVID-19 pandemic's deadly impact on traffic safety in the United States. Researchers at the AAA Foundation found dangerous behaviors like speeding, not using seatbelts, and impaired driving contributed to a significant rise in fatal crashes compared to pre-pandemic times. Notably, the new research highlights a disparity in the pandemic's impact on traffic safety. The study highlights several key findings: * Risky driving spiked: Speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol remain significant contributors to fatal crashes. * Lack of seatbelt use: The increase in occupant deaths was almost entirely among those not wearing seatbelts. * Fatal crashes across age groups: Drivers and victims of all ages up to 55 saw a significant rise in fatal crash involvement, with men disproportionately affected. * Late-night danger zone: Contrary to initial assumptions, the increase in fatal crashes wasn't limited to times when the pandemic cleared previously congested daytime roads. Late nights and early mornings saw the most significant spikes. * Unequal impact: The pandemic exacerbated existing disparities in traffic safety. Socially and economically disadvantaged counties and racial and ethnic minorities were disproportionately impacted. https://lnkd.in/eR9EEfrx  

Educate your kids about traffic signs, signals and pedestrian crossings. Keep your kids informed on the importance of road safety from an early age. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dS3VjrF5 #RoadSafety #ChildSafety #ChildrenSafety

Suburban Road Dangers: Stay Vigilant Suburban roads around Chicago can be just as risky as city streets. Whether it's confusing signage or unexpected traffic patterns, knowing the specific dangers can help you stay safe. Take La Grange Road at the I-80 Westbound Ramp, for example. This intersection is notorious for its confusing right-turn rules, leading to frequent rear-end collisions. In 2021, over 90 accidents were reported at this spot alone. Wondering which suburban roads in Chicago are the most dangerous and how to protect yourself? Read our blog for detailed insights and tips! https://bit.ly/401uwNZ

It is good to see reductions in pedestrian fatalities. I am curious what others feel has contributed to the reduction. It does take a layered approach AND each approach has a different timeline. Regional planning for improved infrastructure can take decades, while road user education can be quicker but takes a LOT of foot work. Dedicating funding to EMS to improve theabity to respond to road use injuries and death is also critical. What do you think? https://lnkd.in/e6Y26AKf