Pedestrian deaths are preventable. Demand safer streets!

This petition has been closed so we can take a complete list of names to Secretary LaHood. Thanks so much for your interest! Join Tranpsortation for America and the push for safer, complete streets; and a transportation network that works for everyone.

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Thousands of Americans of all ages have been struck down in the simple act of walking. These "accidents" overwhelmingly occur on roads that are dangerous by design, with little or no provision for people on foot, in wheelchairs, or on a bicycle.

With the 52 largest metro areas spending just $1.39 per person of federal funds on bicycle and pedestrian projects, it’s no wonder our streets are so dangerous.

To make our streets safer, we need better design. And just as importantly, we need leaders who will drive those improvements.

Ask Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to make pedestrian safety a priority.

Photo Credit Dr. Scott Crawford

Dear Secretary LaHood,

I am alarmed by the continually high pedestrian fatality rate in this country. 

Just this week, a new study by the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership and Transportation for America reported that in the last 15 years, more than 76,000 Americans have been killed while crossing or walking along a street in their community. Overwhelmingly, these deaths occurred on poorly designed roadways that encouraged speeding cars and made little or no provision for people on foot, in wheelchairs, or on a bicycle.

The study shows the strong correlation between a metro area's Pedestrian Danger Index (PDI) and its spending on pedestrian safety projects. The metro areas in greatest need of improvement are spending the least. 

The study also shows how many communities are creating safer streets - by making sure that every road project provides for the safety of everyone who will be using the road, including pedestrians. More than 100 communities across the country have adopted Complete Streets policies to do just that.
  
Nationwide, less than 1.5 percent of funds authorized under the federal transportation law, SAFETEA-LU, have been spent on projects to improve the safety of walking and bicycling. Yet pedestrians comprise 11.8 percent of all traffic deaths and trips made on foot account for almost 9 percent of total trips.

Your work on combating distracted driving and establishing a new Safety Council shows that you are passionate about transportation safety. Please add to that record of achievement by supporting Complete Streets policy adoption across the country. This is a strategy that will not only can make our streets safer, but will help make our communities more livable by providing people with attractive transportation options. 

We need your leadership on Complete Streets with Congress and within USDOT.

Sincerely,


The Undersigned