U.S. Department of Transportation Challenges Cities to Take Action to Improve Safety

At GSGB, we have seen first-hand the devastating effects of unsafe driving and unsafe roadways and motor vehicle accidents, resulting in injuries not only to the drivers and passengers themselves, but also to pedestrians and bicyclists.

The US Department of Transportation is challenged mayors and local elected officials to take significant steps to improve the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists. The challenge kicks off a year-long campaign where city officials are being asked to lead a call to action to help the citizens of their communities take on the seven activities designed to improve safety outlined below.

• Call to Action
• Mayor’s Challenge Activities
• Take a Complete Streets Approach
• Identify and address barriers to make streets safe and convenient for all road users, including people of all ages and abilities and those using assistive mobility devices.
• Gather and track biking and walking data
• Use designs appropriate to the context of the street and its uses
• Take advantage of opportunities to create and complete ped-bike networks through maintenance
• Improve walking and biking safety laws and regulations
• Educate and enforce proper road use behaviors by all.

This is particularly important for states like Pennsylvania, where, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the highway fatality rate is higher than the rest of the country, with 1,310 fatalities in 2012. (US DOT, Pennsylvania Transportation by the Numbers).