Authorizing Council's Committee on Streets and Services to hold public hearings examining the implementation of Vision Zero in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, 101 people died in vehicular crashes in Philadelphia last year and 26 people, including two children, have lost their lives due to City traffic violence in 2017; and

WHEREAS, Peter Javsicas of West Mount Airy, was a well known and respected advocate on transportation and safety issues fell victim to an out of control vehicle that jumped the curb hit a newsstand that in turn struck Mr. Javsicas at the corner of JFK Boulevard at 16th Street; and

WHEREAS, In 2016, pedestrians accounted for 15% of all traffic deaths nationwide, however, in Philadelphia, nearly half of all traffic deaths were pedestrians — 47% pedestrians and 53% bicyclists — for the same time period; and

WHEREAS, Vision Zero was successfully started in Sweden in the late 1990’s to reduce roadway deaths, severe injuries and total number of crashes. In a six-year span the country reduced crashes by 44%. Other cities in Europe have noticed dramatic results after implementing this thoughtful life saving strategy. New York City, Boston, Chicago, Los Angles, San Francisco, Fort Lauderdale, Seattle and San Diego and more than two dozen other U.S. cities have also embraced Vision Zero; and

WHEREAS, In the fall of 2016 Mayor Kenney issued an Executive Order committing Philadelphia to eliminate traffic deaths by 2030 and hiring the City’s first Director of Complete Streets; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia needs to examine six component parts for successful implementation of Vision Zero: Engineering, Evaluation and Data, Education and Engagement, Traffic Safety Enforcement, Fleet Management, and Policy; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia is committed to saving lives, make our neighborhoods choice neighborhoods for all citizens; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Committee on Streets and Services is hereby authorized to hold public hearings regarding the implementation of Vision Zero in the City of Philadelphia and to identify potential policy changes to reduce crashes and improve safety for all citizens.

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