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What are the deadliest pedestrian crossings in Phoenix, and what’s being done about them? Reporter Agnel Philip investigates.
Michael Chow, Arizona Republic

The Phoenix City Council is expected to discuss an issue that has haunted the city for years — pedestrian safety.

A recent Arizona Republicanalysis of pedestrian deaths in Phoenix found that the number of pedestrians killed by cars has more than doubled since 2010. And the city — which has the highest rate of pedestrian deaths for Arizona cities with a population greater than 10,000 — has largely ignored the areas where most deaths occur.

A policy session is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon where city staff will update the council on efforts to protect pedestrians. They also will brief the council on Vision Zero, a multi-national traffic safety movement that seeks to end all traffic-related deaths and serious injuries.

The Vision Zero program calls for redesigning roads, lowering speed limits, installing speed cameras and prioritizing safety efforts in areas that have proven most dangerous. It also demands city leaders meet with an array of community members to help ensure solutions remain comprehensive.

Cities can be deemed “Vision Zero cities” after doing the following:

  • Develop or enact a plan to end roadway deaths.
  • Set a deadline to reach the zero-fatality goal and implement the plan.
  • Have city departments like the mayor’s office, police and transportation involved.
  • Hold regular task-force meetings about the plan. 

Tempe voted to adopt the Vision Zero framework resolution in March 2018 and then created working groups that developed traffic safety strategies. The Vision Zero Network designated Tempe as a “Vision Zero City” in February 2019, making it the first and, so far only, Arizona municipality with the title.

Phoenix city staff are expected to ask the council’s permission to take steps to eventually adopt the Vision Zero framework into Phoenix’s traffic safety plan.

The council will meet at 2:30 p.m. in the council chambers at 200 W. Jefferson Street.

Reach the reporter Perry Vandell at 602-444-2474 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @PerryVandell.

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Explore Phoenix crash hot spots

Red symbols show the location of crash hot spots in Phoenix, according to The Republic’s analysis. Yellow symbols show where the city has placed its crossing signals. Click on the symbols to learn more about the areas and HAWK signals.

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