PHX Reporter

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego supports the city council’s decision to approve a road safety plan that aims to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries to zero by 2050.

The Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan has been given $10 million in annual funding to implement 41 transportation safety improvement strategies and identify 31 related benchmarks, according to a city of Phoenix news release.

“My commitment to the people of Phoenix is to make our roadways safer, whether you're on foot, on a bike or in a car,” Gallego said in the release. “The action plan approved today places the city in a much better position to access federal dollars that will amplify our investment, making it possible to bring new safety infrastructure to even more of our neighborhoods.”

A Vision Zero Community Advisory Committee was also approved which will be compromised by 11 members of the public who will provide feedback and recommendations on the plan, according to the release.

“Developing and implementing a comprehensive Road Safety Action Plan is the top priority of the department,” Street Transportation Director Kini Knudson said, according to the release. “I'm grateful for the support of Mayor Gallego and the city council toward this critical initiative. I'd also like to acknowledge the focused work of my staff and consultants in developing it. Improving roadway safety is a community effort and the Street Transportation Department has dedicated itself to the task of reversing recent trends and improving safety for all.”

District 3 Councilwoman and City Council Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee Chair Debra Stark said the Vision Zero Road Safety Action Plan is the result of collaborative efforts between multiple city departments, traffic design and technology experts and other external partners, the release reported. 

“The Plan not only calls for safer and more reliable infrastructure and updated technology; it also incorporates effective enforcement, data analysis and ongoing public education to deliver a well-rounded approach to achieving road safety,” Stark said, according to the release.