Agencies team up on pedestrian and cyclist safety

The City of Philadelphia has kicked off its new pedestrian safety education and enforcement strategy aimed at reducing deaths and injuries, supported by a US$525,000 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) grant initiative to help address a three year trend of increased pedestrian fatalities. Philadelphia will use the funds to address pedestrian safety in downtown areas by increasing police visibility and ticketing during high risk hours in 20 high-crash locations. The grant will also be u
October 17, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
The City of Philadelphia has kicked off its new pedestrian safety education and enforcement strategy aimed at reducing deaths and injuries, supported by a US$525,000 834 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) grant initiative to help address a three year trend of increased pedestrian fatalities.

Philadelphia will use the funds to address pedestrian safety in downtown areas by increasing police visibility and ticketing during high risk hours in 20 high-crash locations. The grant will also be used for marketing to reach pedestrians in these areas and to train officers on pedestrian safety.

In Philadelphia, a total of 31 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes during 2012, representing 29 percent of the city's total traffic fatalities. Research shows such safety campaigns significantly increase safer behaviour by drivers, such as yielding appropriately to pedestrians.

The city’s deputy mayor for transportation Rina Cutler says the grant from the federal government will let the city and Pennsylvania DOT expand pedestrian safety education and enforcement efforts.

“This program is specifically working to change the culture and the attitude of Philadelphians towards traffic safety.”
Urban Traffic Control

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