City leaders want to eliminate traffic fatalities in Des Moines

One idea is part of an approach called Vision Zero.

One idea is part of an approach called Vision Zero.

GET AROUND ANDREW STEVE STACY, NO DOUBT A LOT OF FOCUS IS ON DRIVING BUT VISIONS, TRIES TO MAKE IT SAFER FOR PEOPLE WHO WALK OR BIKE TOO DES MOINES RECORDED 13 TRAFFIC-RELATED DEATHS LAST YEAR THREE OF THOSE WERE PEDESTRIANS VISION ZERO LOOKS AT EVERYTHING FROM ROAD DESIGNS TO SPEED LIMITS TO TRY TO IMPROVE SAFETY. THE CONCEPT HAS BEEN POPULAR IN EUROPE FOR A WHILE AND CITIES IN THE US STARTED USING IT ABOUT A DECADE AGO CITY LEADERS IN DES MOINES. SAY SPEED IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND THAT COULD MEAN SQUEEZING FOUR-LANE FOUR-LANE CORRIDORS DOWN TO FEWER LANES. SOCIAL MEDIA IS BLOWING UP BECAUSE PEOPLE DON’T WANT US TO TAKE AWAY THEIR FOUR LANES, BUT WE’VE GOT TO I JUST THINK FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR RESIDENTS WE HAVE TO DO THAT. SO FAR VISION ZERO HAS NOT HAD THE SAME SUCCESS IN THE US AS IT DID IN EUROPE SOME HIGH-PROFILE CITIES HAVE ACTUALL

City leaders want to eliminate traffic fatalities in Des Moines

One idea is part of an approach called Vision Zero.

The Des Moines City Council is looking to see what it can do about pedestrian deaths. One idea is part of an approach called Vision Zero. The idea is to create initiatives and changes to enhance safety and minimize injury and deaths on the road.Council members are expected to decide what their priorities are during Monday morning's meeting and create goals for the year that will hopefully lead to zero fatalities. One of the main objectives is to eliminate traffic-related deaths in the city over the next 15 to 20 years. Based on the crashes in 2020, the group found some of the major causes include running red lights, tailgating and operating a vehicle in a reckless manner."In 2021, we had 13 fatalities. Three were pedestrians and we really want to minimize those and get rid of those and not have any at all," John Davis, Des Moines city traffic engineer, said. The work session starts at 7:30 a.m. City leaders are planning community workshops in mid-September where residents are able to share their ideas.Other headlines:

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Council members are expected to decide what their priorities are during Monday morning's meeting and create goals for the year that will hopefully lead to zero fatalities.

One of the main objectives is to eliminate traffic-related deaths in the city over the next 15 to 20 years. Based on the crashes in 2020, the group found some of the major causes include running red lights, tailgating and operating a vehicle in a reckless manner.

"In 2021, we had 13 fatalities. Three were pedestrians and we really want to minimize those and get rid of those and not have any at all," John Davis, Des Moines city traffic engineer, said.

The work session starts at 7:30 a.m. City leaders are planning community workshops in mid-September where residents are able to share their ideas.

Other headlines:

City leaders want to eliminate traffic fatalities in Des Moines

One idea is part of an approach called Vision Zero.

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