Category: Announcement

ALARMING RISE IN MASSACHUSETTS PEDESTRIAN DEATHS IN 1ST MONTH OF 2016

ALARMING RISE IN MASSACHUSETTS PEDESTRIAN DEATHS IN 1ST MONTH OF 2016

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Contact: Wendy Landman, wlandman@walkboston.org
Brendan Kearney, bkearney@walkboston.org
Office: 617-367-9255

ALARMING RISE IN PEDESTRIAN DEATHS IN 1ST MONTH OF 2016
Horrific crash early Monday morning in Boston underscores issue of pedestrian safety; at least 11 pedestrians have been struck and killed in Massachusetts in 2016

February 2, 2016 – Eleven people walking in Massachusetts were killed by people driving vehicles in the first month of 2016. Four of these deaths occurred in Boston. Early Monday morning a couple was struck by a person driving an SUV, who then proceeded to drag the middle-aged woman underneath her vehicle for almost three miles from Chinatown to Dorchester.

The underlying cause of each crash is not yet known. If this crash rate continues, Massachusetts would see a doubling of pedestrian fatalities by comparison with each of the last ten years. 79 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic crashes in 2013 and 70 in 2014, and preliminary data point to 72 pedestrian fatalities in 2015.

Traffic deaths are unacceptable and WalkBoston believes that they are also preventable.  While national data show a trend toward lower total traffic deaths, there has been a disturbing trend toward an increase in pedestrian deaths. We need to focus on protecting pedestrians who are suffering disproportionately from speeding traffic and distracted drivers.

Pedestrian fatalities in Massachusetts
Jan 4, 2016 – South Hadley – James “Jimmy” Collins, age 68
Jan 4, 2016 – Malden – Piere Simon, age 60
Jan 6, 2016 – South Yarmouth – Wyatt Maskell, age 19
Jan 9, 2016 – Worcester – Frank Jeffrey Call, age 56
Jan 12, 2016 – Roslindale – Silvia Acosta, age 78
Jan 13, 2016 – Dorchester – Queshon Ivy, age 43
Jan 18, 2016 – Reading – Jacob Goldberg, age 89
Jan 20, 2016 – Framingham – Patrick Stratton, age 25
Jan 20, 2016 – Quincy – Thomas Chen, age 84
Jan 24, 2016 – Dorchester – Nicholas Tammaro, age 66
Jan 26, 2016 – South Boston – name not released, age 66

At a glance:
● Failure to yield: at least 4 people were killed in a crosswalk while walking with the right of way.
● 7 of the people hit & killed were in their 60s or older (68, 60, 78, 89, 84, 60s, 66).
● 8 of the crashes occurred after dark, with 6 crashes between 4:45 & 8:00pm. (Sunset for MA in month of January: Jan1st – 4:22pm, Jan31st – 4:56pm).
● At least 1 of the drivers involved has been charged with OUI.
● 3 of the fatal crashes have been reported in the media as hit & runs.

In Boston:
Mayor Walsh’s Vision Zero Task Force has identified the most dangerous, high crash locations and corridors based on crash data from previous years; on January 22nd, a Safety Issues map tool was launched, which allows users to add locations of concern for people walking, biking, or driving in Boston.

The next step: this information needs to be used to make the operational, enforcement, behavioral, and built environment changes necessary to stop injuries and deaths on our roads. Safe streets for all modes of travel are critical for Massachusetts’ quality of life and economic vitality.

The Vision Zero Task Force’s rapid response team visits serious crash locations and recommends short term and long-term solutions to make the area safer for everyone after crashes. WalkBoston implores the city to sufficiently fund the rapid response program with capital budget dollars and give support so that longer-term street changes can be made.

Statewide:
Vehicle speed
A pedestrian struck by a vehicle going 40 mph has a 77% likelihood of a fatality or severe injury – while a walker hit by a vehicle going 20mph has only 18% chance of severe injury.

Adapting our communities for an aging population
There is a widespread desire by people to age in their own homes and to live in neighborhoods where they can maintain independence as they age. We must ensure that our cities and towns are safe to walk with well-marked crosswalks, slow moving traffic, adequate WALK time at intersections and good night lighting.

Nationwide:
Distraction
In 2013, 3,154 people were killed and approximately 424,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.

About WalkBoston
WalkBoston is a pedestrian advocacy organization working to make Massachusetts more walkable. All of WalkBoston’s work is focused on making walking safer and easier in Massachusetts. Some of our current initiatives that are most closely focused on safety are the following;

● WalkBoston is a member of the Task Force for Vision Zero Boston (visionzeroboston.org), working toward eliminating traffic fatalities in Boston. The rapid response task force visits serious crash locations and recommends short term and long-term solutions to make the area safer for everyone after crashes.

● WalkBoston is one of founding members of the Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition (visionzerocoalition.org), which advocates for the implementation of Vision Zero in Boston and for the adoption of Vision Zero throughout Massachusetts. The new and growing coalition includes community-based organizations, nonprofits, businesses, civic groups and individuals representing communities across the state. Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all.

● WalkBoston is working with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation in 18 Massachusetts communities with high pedestrian crash clusters to develop recommendations for safety improvements. In each community police, public works, transportation and other staff are engaged to help evaluate and remedy safety problems.

● WalkBoston is just launching a Safe Routes for Seniors program with the City of Boston’s Elderly Commission (and many others). The program will include pilot projects in three Boston neighborhoods to improve the built environment and develop policies and protocols for Boston under its Age Friendly City initiative. Walking safety is a key component of the project.

● WalkBoston’s annual meeting on March 22nd will focus on Vision Zero; our speaker is Leah Shahum, the executive director of the national Vision Zero Network (visionzeronetwork.org), which just last week announced Boston would be a Focus City. Learn more at walkboston.org

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Actions You Can Take:
1. Report unsafe conditions on the Vision Zero Boston Safety Issues Map

2. Learn how you can speak up for safer walking conditions in your community at a free Ped101 training session

3. Share this release: on Twitter or on Facebook

4. We’ve been offered a $10,000 matching grant toward our work to help move Vision Zero forward: Help us meet this goal.

The Prudential Tower will be lit ORANGE tonight

The Prudential Tower will be lit ORANGE tonight

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Tonight, the Prudential Tower will be lit up ORANGE to celebrate WalkBoston’s 25th birthday! We’ll flip the light switch at 5pm in Center Court, sing happy birthday, and then swing by PF Chang’s for a celebratory drink.

RSVP for free: http://walkbostonlightsthepru.eventbrite.com/

About WalkBoston
WalkBoston, a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1990, makes walking safer and easier in Massachusetts to encourage better health, a cleaner environment and vibrant communities.

Your support has enabled WalkBoston to work in cities and towns across the state, providing individuals, families, communities, and our most vulnerable populations—children, people with disabilities, and seniors—opportunities to safely walk in their neighborhoods. Make a gift today! www.walkboston.org/donate

Call to Action Webinar 9/15/2015 – WalkBoston’s shared resources

Call to Action Webinar 9/15/2015 – WalkBoston’s shared resources

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Thanks for tuning in to hear how advocates and local organizations can use the Surgeon General’s Call to Action on Walking and Walkable Communities. Below are resources that our executive director Wendy Landman will include in her remarks on 9/15.

WalkBoston Supports Surgeon General’s Call To Action on Walking

WalkBoston Supports Surgeon General’s Call To Action on Walking

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US Surgeon General Launches Campaign with National Call to Action on Walking: Effort highlights health benefits of walking while addressing barriers to access

Today, the United States Surgeon General issued a call to action to address major public health challenges such as heart disease and diabetes. Step It Up! The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities articulates the health benefits of walking while addressing the fact that many communities unacceptably lack safe and convenient places for individuals to walk or wheelchair roll.

“We are thrilled that the Surgeon General is calling attention to the importance of walking and walkability to the health and well-being of Americans. We look forward to using the Call to Action as a stepping stone to making Massachusetts a safer, more convenient and more attractive place to walk,” said Wendy Landman, Executive Director of WalkBoston, Massachusetts’ leading pedestrian advocacy organization.

Data consistently show there are safety and accessibility issues that make communities less walkable. A 2013 study by the U.S. Department of Transportation, for example, found that three out of every 10 Americans reported that no sidewalks existed along any streets in their neighborhood. In many communities violence – and the perception of violence – may prove a barrier to walking.

“Everyone deserves to have a safe place to walk or wheelchair roll. But in too many of our communities, that is not the reality,” said Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the 19th U.S. Surgeon General. “We know that an active lifestyle is critical to achieving good overall health. And walking is a simple, effective and affordable way to build physical activity into our lives. That is why we need to step it up as a country ensuring that everyone can choose to walk in their own communities.”

The Surgeon General calls on community planners and local leaders to create more areas for walking and wheelchair rolling and to prioritize the development of safe routes for children to get to and from schools. The call to action suggests that these designs should include sidewalks, curb cuts, crosswalks, safe crossings for the visually impaired and more green spaces. The Surgeon General further calls on city managers, law enforcement and community and public health leaders to address safety concerns by better maintaining public spaces, working with residents to promote a shared sense of community ownership, ensuring proper street lighting and fostering neighborhood watch programs.

The Surgeon General’s report discusses the health benefits of walking and calls on individuals to make walking a priority in their lives. Fewer than half of all U.S. adults get enough physical activity to reduce their risk of chronic disease, and only a quarter of high school students get the recommended amount. Physical inactivity contributes to heart and lung disease, diabetes and cancer, which account for 86% of our nation’s health care costs. Building walking into daily life can reduce disease and save money.

“We know that an average of 22 minutes a day of physical activity – such as brisk walking – can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes,” added Dr. Murthy. “The key is to get started because even a small first effort can make a big difference in improving the personal health of an individual and the public health of the nation.”

WalkBoston makes walking safer and easier in Massachusetts to encourage better health, a cleaner environment and vibrant communities. Founded in 1990, WalkBoston’s goal is to make walking and pedestrian needs a basic part of the transportation discussion. Current WalkBoston efforts include work on Vision Zero, a comprehensive and coordinated strategy to eliminate traffic fatalities and injuries in Boston, and the recent publication of a guide for low-cost traffic calming solutions. Low-cost fixes to calm traffic and enhance safety on municipal streets and state roads can be a great place to start, and can serve as catalysts for long-term change.

To read the Surgeon General’s Call to Action and learn how to promote walking and walkable communities, please visit www.surgeongeneral.gov
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Follow the Surgeon General on Twitter @Surgeon_General, on Facebook, and on Instagram – Join the conversation: #StepItUp

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To make progress on our roads

To make progress on our roads

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The Boston Herald article “Shattuck: Marty Walsh, IndyCar dare us to think fast” (5/22/2015) had one excellent quote, challenging Boston “To make progress on our roads, like they do in other first-world nations.”

Here are three examples of progress on roads in other first-world nations.

Sweden:
http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2014/02/economist-explains-16

“With only three of every 100,000 Swedes dying on the roads each year, compared with 5.5 per 100,000 across the European Union, 11.4 in America and 40 in the Dominican Republic, which has the world’s deadliest traffic, Sweden’s roads have become the world’s safest.” … “Planning has played the biggest part in reducing accidents. Roads in Sweden are built with safety prioritised over speed or convenience. Low urban speed-limits, pedestrian zones and barriers that separate cars from bikes and oncoming traffic have helped. ”

Netherlands:
http://www.northeastern.edu/studyabroad/programs/netherlands-sustainable-urban-transportation/ (Northeastern University does summer study abroad in the Netherlands, led by Professor Peter Furth.)

“While the Netherlands is as affluent a country as the US, the Dutch drive cars half as much as Americans, ride trains 10 times as much, and ride bikes 40 times as much. They also have the world’s best traffic safety record, with a traffic fatality rate 67% lower than ours. Dutch bicycling infrastructure makes it safe for everyone – children and elderly as well – to ride bikes anywhere, and is a major reason that more than 25% of trip nationwide, and more than 40% in cities like Delft and Amsterdam, are made by bike. The goal of this program is learn Dutch principles for planning cities and for designing bikeways, roads, and transit networks that make ABC (all-but-car) transportation so attractive, and that make cities livable and safe.”

France:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/11586802/Large-chunk-of-the-river-Seines-Right-Bank-to-be-cut-off-to-cars-in-Paris.html

“‘This is an urban, almost philosophical project, which consists of seeing the city in another way than through the use of cars,’ she said, citing as examples the French cities of Lyon and Bordeaux, whose riverbanks have been successfully reclaimed for pedestrians.”