Complete Streets Coalition, is a how-to guide for implementing Complete Streets.
COLLECTION OF DATA FOR BENCHMARKING / ANNUAL REPORT DESCRIPTION
Data collection is important to gauging trends of roads and determining solutions to problems that are be occurring. Data collection can help identify potential solutions based on the amount of traffic on a roadway, the context of the area, or the types of crashes. Vision zero is about a data driven process to reduce deaths and severe injuries to zero. Without data and benchmarks to assess what is working and what isn’t, some efforts would be futile.
CONSIDERATIONS
Elected officials should be the ones to set the commitment to data collection when making the commitment to Vision Zero. Data provides the only fact-based evidence to understand whether a tactic or strategy is truly working. It is important to remember that all information regarding crashes should be recorded – not just vehicle crash data. The
surrounding area context plays a large role in why accidents might be occurring more frequently, even if traffic volumes are not high. Weather could also play a factor. Therefore, it’s so important to document this information to determine if it was truly human error, environmental, or a design flaw. Additional information can be found in the Data Collection and Benchmarking handout here.
EDUCATION
DESCRIPTION
Education is the best way to increase awareness and change behaviors. Although the educational aspect relies on individuals to become more aware of their surroundings and adopt safe practices into their day-to-day lives, education can begin at young ages and continue throughout life. Continued education over time can have a longer lasting effect and reduce crash rates. It is important that education is not just “car” specific. Walking and bicycling and encouraging different safety tactics such as wearing a helmet or looking both ways before crossing the street is important to teach people, especially at a young age. There are numerous
organizations that have developed safety programs to incorporate lessons into activities at school. Some of tactics include: /
At school for children and teenagers to learn about safety
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Making a roadway safety class part of school curriculum
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Providing teachers with proper training (in schools and driver’s education)
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Offer parents information to reinforce ideas in their homes
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Parents leading by example when children are around
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Providing supervision at crossings and other necessary locations
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Pedestrian skill training sessions open to the public
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Education that continues throughout all primary and secondary education
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration This site contains a number of great facts and statistics that can be used
Policy Strategies / 11