Los Angeles Recognized as Vision Zero Leader

Today, Los Angeles was selected as one of 10 leading cities to participate in a new national program to advance Vision Zero, the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries among all road users. Mayor Eric Garcetti launched the Vision Zero Los Angeles initiative on August 24, 2015 by signing Executive Directive #10, declaring safety to be the number one priority in designing and building our streets and sidewalks.

This new Vision Zero Focus Cities program was launched today by the Vision Zero Network, a national collaborative campaign aimed at advancing this shift towards safety, health, and equitable mobility for all. In addition to Los Angeles, other cities included in this program will be: Austin, TX; Washington, DC; New York City, NY; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; and San Francisco, CA.

“Los Angeles is proud to join the Vision Zero Focus Cities program,” said Seleta Reynolds, General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation and President of the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO). “Our shared goals to stop traffic deaths are ambitious and urgent.  We will get there faster together by learning from one another.”

The 10 cities were chosen based on their positions as – or expectations to become – national leaders in Vision Zero. Additionally, they were required to demonstrate a commitment to work collaboratively with their peers to improve upon their traffic safety efforts and serve as models for other cities.

“We recognize Los Angeles’ leadership in being an early-adopter of Vision Zero and dedicating its staff and resources toward prioritizing safety for all who are walking, bicycling and driving,” said Shahum. “We know that Los Angeles is serious in its commitment to reach zero traffic fatalities and severe injuries, and we commend their willingness to partner with peers in other Vision Zero cities to make greater progress not only locally but across the nation in safe streets for all.”

Lead participants in the Focus Cities program will include representatives of each city’s Mayor’s Office, Transportation Department, Police Department, and Public Health Department. In addition, there will be a concurrent track for collaboration among leading Vision Zero community advocates from each of the Focus Cities.

“Los Angeles Walks applauds the Vision Zero Network for launching the Focus Cities Program, and comments the City of Los Angeles for its inclusion,” said Deborah Murphy, founder and Executive Director of Los Angeles Walks, a pedestrian advocacy organization. “Every year in Los Angeles, over 200 people are killed on city streets – almost half of them while walking and biking. There is no time to spare when it comes to implementing better street design, targeted education, and strategic enforcement that creates safe, equitable walking environments and saves lives.”

To learn more about the Focus Cities Program, see http://visionzeronetwork.org or contact Leah Shahum at leah@visionzeronetwork.org

To learn more about the Los Angeles Vision Zero Initiative, see http://visionzero.lacity.org/ or contact visionzero@lacity.org.