Road safety, speeding and e-bikes among issues facing Wilmington summit
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — State policymakers, transportation safety experts, local officials, law enforcement and advocates will gather in Wilmington Thursday to discuss ways to reduce crashes, injuries and deaths on North Carolina roads.
The Traffic Safety Summit will be held Thursday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center, located at 501 Nutt St.
The event is the third in a series of four regional summits organized by the North Carolina Alliance for Safe Transportation. Organizers say more than 40 people have signed up to attend the Wilmington event.
State Sen. Michael Lazzara, who co-chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, will emcee the summit.
Participants will hear from transportation safety researchers before taking part in a broader discussion about problems they see on North Carolina roads and possible solutions. Organizers say some of the ideas could require action by the North Carolina General Assembly.
Topics that emerged during the first two summits in Asheville and Statesville included speeding, traffic cameras and e-bikes.
“Collaboration is key,” NCAST Executive Director Joe Stewart said. “Speeding is a menace. Traffic cameras can make a big difference in enforcement and free up officers for other duties. E-bikes are becoming a big concern, with many calls to require registration.”
Stewart said the regional meetings are providing insight into traffic safety concerns from local communities.
State Sen. Vickie Sawyer, a co-chair of the Senate Transportation Committee who emceed the previous two summits, said the meetings provide an opportunity to hear from researchers, local officials, law enforcement and advocates about potential improvements to traffic safety.
The fourth and final regional summit is scheduled for Sept. 29 in Raleigh.
The North Carolina Alliance for Safe Transportation is a nonprofit organization focused on reducing transportation-related crashes, injuries and fatalities in the state.
