The Road Safety Ink: September Edition
The September issue of the Road Safety Ink encapsulates the latest strides in road safety, reflecting a shared commitment to creating secure and efficient transportation systems. Key highlights include the City of Yonkers' Yonkers Safe Stop School Bus Safety Program Announcement, Atlanta Public Schools School Zone Speed Safety Program protects school zones as program issues citations to speeders, and Pennsylvania's speed safety camera program touts significant reduction in injuries and fatalities due to traffic enforcement. Additionally, we share an insightful article by Jon Baldwin in ITS International on the adoption of automated enforcement for safer roads in the U.S.
The Big Story
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced its collaboration with Verra Mobility to launch the “Yonkers Safe Stop” School Bus Safety Program. To create a safer environment, the “Yonkers Safe Stop” program will implement Verra Mobility’s CrossingGuard™ school bus stop-arm enforcement solution to effectively capture stop-arm events and reduce the number of violations and injuries caused by people who disregard the school bus stop-arm.
“Ensuring the safety of our children is our top priority. The partnership with Verra Mobility and the Yonkers School District is a testament to our commitment to their well-being, reminding us that every journey to knowledge should be a safe one.”
- City of Yonkers Mayor, Mike Spano
APD has a contract with Verra Mobility, the makers of the cameras, and have installed the cameras at no cost to the school. Officials said that a percentage of the paid fines will fund future safety projects for the district.
“Our priority is to keep our students safe. The school zone speed cameras will help slow drivers down, thereby protecting children as they walk to and from school.”
- Atlanta Public Schools Police, Chief Ronald Applin
“Part of making Atlanta the best place to raise a child in the nation is ensuring their safety both in and out of the classroom. The new school zone speed safety camera program is a great compliment to our Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries in Atlanta.”
- City of Atlanta Mayor, Andre Dickens
For more information about APS’s school zone speed safety camera program, please visit here.
Pennsylvania transportation officials told lawmakers that pilot programs for the automatic enforcement of traffic laws have led to improvements in traffic safety over the last three years.
Philadelphia recorded 21% fewer fatalities and 64% fewer pedestrian crashes on Roosevelt Boulevard between August 2020 and November 2022, a Philadelphia deputy managing director for transportation, infrastructure, and sustainability, also named Mike Carroll, said.
Speeding violations have also decreased by 95%, the Philadelphia official said.
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Smart Mobility for the Future
Bringing attention to the critical issue of traffic safety and mobility and highlighting those taking an active role in creating more efficient, safer transportation systems.
The concept of Vision Zero has hit a pothole in the US – but there is hope for a safer future, says Jon Baldwin, EVP, Government Solutions, at Verra Mobility
Given what we know now, I have to ask why we think it’s OK for so many people to die each year, when we have the technology, the laws, and the best practices from other regions we can use to make our roads safer. Automated enforcement programmes have shown remarkable effectiveness in reducing crashes and changing driver behavior. As NY puts it, “Your Choices Matter.” Helping to educate drivers about local laws and improve awareness of how fast they’re traveling will help drivers make better choices and improve road safety for everyone.
- Jon Baldwin, EVP of Government Solutions at Verra Mobility
Highlighting Safer Communities
We look at initiatives that prioritize safety including prevention efforts, community policing, and infrastructure improvements that contribute to fostering a safer environment for residents and visitors alike.
Miami−Dade Commissioner Anthony Rodriguez said his proposal to set up cameras to enforce speed limits in school zones — and impose fines on violators — will bolster the safety of tens of thousands of local schoolchildren.
“This is something that will ultimately save lives. And in doing so, I’m a big advocate for that,”
- Miami−Dade Commissioner, Anthony Rodriguez
Newsom has until Oct. 14 to either sign or veto the bill. If signed into law, California’s pilot program under the AB 645 will last five years. For the six participating areas, the bill requires transportation agencies to issue warnings rather than notices of violation to drivers for the first 60 days of the program, coinciding with a month-long public information campaign to help educate residents about the new cameras.
According to data from the National Transportation Safety Board, areas that implemented automated speed enforcement saw a decrease in the number of crashes that occurred — anywhere from 8 to 49% for all collisions and 11 to 44% for those that resulted in serious or fatal injuries.
In cities like Los Angeles, speed is the No. 1 factor in crash severity.
“Research has shown speed cameras can reduce crashes by 54% in urban cores, especially high-injury and fatality crashes. That’s why seven other states with Democratic and Republican governors have authorized or expanded the use of speed cameras this year. - Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Burbank)
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Discover how our Smart and Safe Mobility solutions can help your community build safer cities, roadways, school zones, and work zones. www.verramobility.com/government