WASHINGTON — DC transportation officials have updated a website that details road projects and traffic safety data in the District.
On Thursday, the District Department of Transportation released its newest Vision Zero website. The goal of Vision Zero is to eliminate all traffic-related deaths in DC by 2024.
DDOT says, so far, there have been 24 traffic fatalities in DC this year compared to 36 this time last year.
According to DDOT, the new Vision Zero website consolidates information on upcoming traffic safety projects and interactive map features.
The website also highlights DC adoptions of the national Safe Systems model.
The Safe Systems model emphasizes how an entire interconnected transportation system can become a safer situation if all its users understand how humans make mistakes and how human bodies are vulnerable to crash forces. The model is based on five key elements, according to DDOT. They include: safe people, safe streets, safe vehicles, safe speeds, and post-crash care.
“We know our efforts must ever-evolve by applying lessons-learned and data-driven solutions, especially to our most vulnerable street users and populations,” said DDOT Director Everett Lott. “We also know the burden of traffic violence falls disproportionately across DC, with Wards 7 and 8 hit hardest, and that’s why we remain so keenly focused on equity.”
Jeremiah Lowery, the advocacy director of the Washington Area Bicycle Association, said he believed DDOT’s efforts were a step in the right direction.
“I think this is good,” he said. “I think this is DDOT being responsive to advocates requests and demands.”
However, Lowery added he still wants to see DDOT improve the safety of infrastructure in underserved communities in the District.
DDOT said its Vision Zero 2022 update involved collaboration between 30 District agencies including the Metropolitan Police Department.
