How Wilmington is aiming for zero traffic fatalities by 2036
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY-TV) — October is National Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month, and the city of Wilmington is working toward an ambitious goal: eliminating traffic fatalities within the next 10 years.
The city’s Vision Zero initiative aims to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on Wilmington’s roadways through a combination of infrastructure improvements, traffic-calming measures and public education.
At the intersection of Market Street and 21st Street, a specialized crosswalk serves as one example of the city’s efforts to make roads safer.
“Deaths and serious injuries are unacceptable on our roadways,” said Andy Thompson, Wilmington’s Vision Zero transportation engineer.
Thompson said Wilmington has recorded 14 pedestrian crashes this year, seven of which were fatal.
He said many of the crashes are preventable, and the city is prioritizing improvements along busy, high-speed corridors.
“Generally that’s on your higher volume, higher speed roadways such as Market and College. Those are the types of places we are looking to prioritize,” Thompson said.
The city also plans to use traffic-calming measures, including speed humps, on Burnett Boulevard, Rogersville Road and in other neighborhoods.
“The statistics show us that most of these fatalities can be prevented,” said state Sen. Michael Lazzara.
Lazzara said traffic-calming measures can help prevent fatal crashes, but he also pointed to driver behavior as a major factor in traffic deaths.
“It’s in the decisions that we make, whether it’s going to a party and being social and not thinking about how you are going to get home that evening and that there are options,” Lazzara said.
Lazzara also said legislation can provide additional safety measures. He pointed to a recent bill addressing the classification of e-bikes as an example of how lawmakers can create safety standards.
“Do you want a 10-year-old going down a neighborhood road at 45 miles per hour without a helmet on?” Lazzara said.
Thompson said reaching Wilmington’s Vision Zero goal will require a multifaceted approach focused on five areas: safer people, safer vehicles, safer roads, safer speeds and post-crash care.
“Safer speeds, which is up to the folks that are behind the wheel, and post-crash care, which would be in how we respond to an incident,” Thompson said.
