In Chicago, 5 people are seriously injured in a traffic crash every day and every 3 days someone dies. The City of Chicago believes that even one life lost in a traffic crash is unacceptable. We all have the right to walk, bike, take public transit, and drive on streets that are safe for everyone, regardless of who we are or where we live. Vision Zero is the City of Chicago’s commitment to eliminating deaths and serious injuries from traffic crashes by 2026. One year ago, the City released its Vision Zero Action Plan, which established a cross-departmental approach to eliminating traffic fatalities.
Vision Zero is a collective goal for our City that we can only achieve through partnerships, and as an individual you play an important role in this effort. On behalf of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, I urge you to share this important information and remember the impact you have when you, your family or your friends get behind the wheel.
ABOUT VISION ZERO
A core belief of Vision Zero is that traffic crashes are not “accidents” when tools and technologies exist to prevent loss of life. Thousands of people walking, riding bicycles, and riding in vehicles are impacted by traffic crashes in Chicago each year. Vision Zero is a partnership between the City, community members, and the private sector to make Chicago safer for people walking, people biking and people driving.
Vision Zero is for all travel choices. Most people killed or seriously injured in traffic crashes are in vehicles. However, people walking and biking are especially vulnerable because they are more likely to be killed or seriously injured when they are involved in a crash. People walking are 12 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured and people bicycling are 5 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a traffic crash.
In Chicago, 72 percent of fatal traffic crashes involve one or more of these five dangerous driving behaviors:
• Speeding;
• Failure to give the right of way;
• Using a cell phone while driving;
• Driving under the influence; and
• Disobeying traffic signs or signals.
Vision Zero targets these behaviors and aims to build a citywide culture of safety.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Whether you drive for the City or on your own time, you have a role to play in the safety of your fellow citizens and residents of the City of Chicago. Please join us in supporting Vision Zero in the following ways:
- Commit to driving safely and take the Vision Zero Pledge. Upon signing the Pledge, request to join the Vision Zero Chicago mailing list.
- Review the Timeframes & Department Leads section of the Vision Zero Action Plan (pg. 78 – 81) to see what your department is doing to work towards eliminating traffic fatalities.
- Watch the Safety Training Video for Fleet Drivers to learn more about safe driving and five dangerous driving scenarios.
PROGRESS
In year 1 of Vision Zero, Chicago has made significant progress towards achieving the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries. In year 2 and beyond, we will be making more infrastructure investments and engaging impacted communities. Learn more about our accomplishments and track our progress on the Vision Zero Chicago webpage.