Indianapolis is facing a pedestrian safety crisis that is worsening, with statistics showing the city is more dangerous than many other highly populated cities for pedestrians. The Indianapolis City-County Council has proposed an ordinance to establish a task force to implement a Vision Zero road safety plan, which will be put to the test in the Public Works Committee tonight. State Sen. Andrea Hunley has been advocating for such a plan for years and urges the city to pass the ordinance and begin implementing lifesaving changes immediately.
The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that road fatalities have been on the rise, making a Vision Zero plan crucial to prevent dangerous incidents and reduce the likelihood of fatalities. Hunley believes that Indianapolis has the resources and ingenuity to lead the way in road safety for the entire state.
The Department of Public Works has already taken steps to improve safety by implementing policies like banning red-light turns downtown and converting one-way streets to two-way streets. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization also has the groundwork for a Vision Zero program ready to go.
Hunley emphasizes the importance of showing the effectiveness of Vision Zero during the 2025 legislative session and believes it is crucial to demonstrate the policy’s success in preventing deaths. Passing the Vision Zero ordinance will be a significant step towards improving road safety and saving lives in Indianapolis.
Source
Photo credit www.indystar.com