High-visibility crosswalk in Phoenix highlighting safety measures
Phoenix is confronting a significant rise in traffic fatalities, prompting demands for enhanced crosswalk safety measures. With 65% of fatal crashes involving vulnerable road users, community members are urging the city to implement stop bars and high-visibility crosswalks. Despite existing safety initiatives, a petition highlights the urgent need for comprehensive safety improvements at intersections. City officials are advocating for a structured plan to prioritize pedestrian safety amidst growing concerns in the community.
Phoenix is grappling with an alarming increase in traffic fatalities, leading to an urgent demand for better crosswalk safety measures across the city. The issue is particularly acute as the installation of essential safety features, such as stop bars and high-visibility crosswalk markings, has lagged behind other Valley cities. Recent data indicates that 65% of fatal crashes in Phoenix involve vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
City surveys show that 40% of serious injuries and deaths occur at signalized intersections, underscoring the pressing need for safety improvements. A citizen petition has surfaced, driven by growing concerns over rising traffic accidents, urging the city to install stop bars and high-visibility crosswalk markings at approximately 1,200 signalized intersections and 100,000 stop signs throughout Phoenix. The estimated cost to implement these features across the entire city is over $33 million.
High-visibility crosswalk markings are characterized by their ladder-like stripes that run perpendicular to traffic, designed to enhance visibility for drivers. Stop bars, which are broad white lines indicating where vehicles must halt before entering a crosswalk, are also crucial for improving pedestrian safety. Despite the clear benefits these features could provide, city officials have expressed skepticism over their effectiveness, citing studies that suggest stop bars may not significantly influence accident rates or driver behavior.
Since 2020, Phoenix’s Street Transportation Department has been working to install high-visibility markings mid-block on arterial streets, achieving a coverage of 30% for these crossings. However, there remains a significant gap in safety measures at signalized intersections, an area where the city has not yet implemented high-visibility markings.
The costs associated with high-visibility crosswalks range from $3,000 to $6,000 each. Adding stop bars at signalized intersections costs approximately $28,000 per location, excluding any necessary surface repairs. These financial considerations, however, have not diminished the urgency expressed by community members and local officials who advocate for immediate action to enhance road safety.
In light of the rising safety concerns, city council members, including Kesha Hodge-Washington and Laura Pastor, are calling for a comprehensive approach to pedestrian safety. They emphasize the necessity of a collaborative effort between the Street Transportation Department and the Vision Zero Committee to prioritize the installation of safety features where they are most needed.
The Council is advocating for a structured five-year plan aimed at advancing pedestrian safety in Phoenix. This includes identifying funding sources and scheduling for the installation of additional high-visibility crosswalks and stop bars. There is a growing sentiment that pedestrian safety should take precedence over budgetary constraints, particularly as accident reports concerning pedestrians have reached alarming levels throughout the city.
The rising number of traffic fatalities in Phoenix serves as a critical reminder of the shortcomings in current safety measures. As community members, officials, and advocacy groups rally together to address these challenges, the hope is that renewed efforts toward improving crosswalk safety will lead to a reduction in accidents and a safer environment for all road users.
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