|
|
2007 Focus: Pedestrian Safety
The Seattle City Council has chosen pedestrian safety as their top priority of 2007.
Although Seattle nationally ranks as a relatively safe city for pedestrians the Council is moving forward with a citywide Pedestrian Master Plan. On February 5th, the Council voted unanimously in favor of the plan.
The Council's next step was to create a Special Committee on Pedestrian Safety. It will be co-chaired by Nick Licata and Jan Drago. The committee's goals include:
- Evaluation of pedestrian improvements such as sidewalks, walkways, staircases and traffic lights using funds from the 2006 "Bridging the Gap" levy.
- A public safety education effort directed at drivers and pedestrians.
- Looking at ways to increase pedestrian safety from the enforcement side.
The Pedestrian Master plan, at a projected cost of $800,000, will be developed in conjunction with city officials by an advisory group of community members and organizations including the Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Group, neighborhood organizations, health officials, Seattle Public schools, senior citizen representation, pedestrian advocacy groups, the disabled community and others. The advisory group will periodically advise the Committee on Pedestrian Safety on the progress of the Master Plan. Meetings will also be held throughout the city to gain community input.
The city's department of transportation along with the police department will also engage in an education and enforcement campaign in 2007-08 via education materials, public service announcements and special events.
The priority on pedestrian safety was underscored by tragedies affecting Council Members David Della and Nick Licata. In November of last year, Della's chief of staff, Tatsuo Nakata, was killed after being hit by a car in West Seattle. Licata's stepson was seriously injured in 2004 while crossing a North Seattle street.
Over the last five years in Seattle, there have been 2,400 traffic-related accidents, which have resulted in 40 deaths.
The latest news:
Council Member testified before lawmakers on behalf of pedestrian safety
In March, Seattle Council Member David Della took a close personal issue to Olympia to testify before state lawmakers.
Della spoke before both Transportation Committees for the House and Senate on behalf of two separate bills that would enhance pedestrian safety. House Bill 1588, also called the Matthew "Tatsuo" Nakata Act, addresses curriculum changes for driver education courses to include information regarding pedestrian safety. Nakata, 30, was Della Chief of Staff when he was killed while walking in a crosswalk in West Seattle in November.
The bill is co-sponsored by Representative Zack Hudgins from the 11th District. The bill passed the House on March 10 and now moves on to the Senate.
Read more about House Bill 1588.
Resources
Share your thoughts
What are your thoughts about Pedestrian Safety and the City's involvement? Share your thoughts using the links below and of course check back soon with the Seattle Channel to read more about the status of the Pedestrian Safety. Use the links below to share your thoughts with:
If you have any questions or comments on this article, or if you have an In-Depth story idea, contact Megan Erb at megan.erb@seattle.gov.
 Back to Top
|
