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Last year, 1,686 people left for a destination in North Carolina and never made it home. Another 115,009 were seriously injured in a traffic crash in our state.
Traffic crashes are a (top 3) leading cause of death for North Carolinians ages 1 – 44 (Source: NC Department of Health and Human Services).
These numbers are discouraging. But our goal this Safe Streets is to instill hope, because these tragedies are preventable.There is a growing movement all over the world and in North Carolina, calling for an end to preventable traffic violence. People everywhere are waking up to realize that we don’t have to keep doing business as usual.
For too long, we’ve mentally accepted that crashes just happen. We’ve accepted that our freedom to go to the grocery store, to commute to work, or visit a loved one, comes with an inherent cost – a risk of being seriously hurt or killed in a crash.
This week, we’ll set the record straight. Traffic crashes are preventable. No loss of life on our roads is acceptable. We know how to save lives and prevent road deaths – through the Safe Systems Approach.
Source: FHWA
The Safe Systems Approach works by creating a transportation system that accommodates human mistakes and reduces the impact energy on human bodies.
Using the Safe Systems Approach, Spain has reduced their road deaths by 80% and Sweden has reduced their road deaths by 67%.
For more information on Safe Systems, click here (Source: FHWA).
Last year, 116,695 families’ lives were forever changed by a traffic death or serious injury. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
North Carolinians deserve the right to vibrant, lively communities.
North Carolinians deserve freedom and mobility without fear of getting hurt.
No one should be killed going from A to B on an otherwise normal day.
This is a preventable public health crisis. It’s something we will change.
Dedication
Today is dedicated to AnnaLeah (17) and Mary Karth (13), who were killed in a underride crash with a semi-truck. A stronger underride guard would have prevented their vehicle from going underneath the truck.
Additional Content
Daily Trivia Challenge
How much do you know about road safety? Take our daily 5 question trivia quiz to find out!
Social Media Content
Group Discussion
Short presentation for staff meetings, classes, or group discussions.
Take Action
There are 18 communities in North Carolina that have committed to Vision Zero, a program to eliminate roadway deaths and serious injuries.
Check out the North Carolina Vision Zero Communities.
Is your community on the list? If not consider contacting your local municipal leaders or transportation department and urge them to commit to Vision Zero.