It's become a national problem.
Traffic accidents, and fatalities are on the rise. Some areas pose a greater risk.
According to The Department of Transportation, Detroit is one such area in need of attention.
The Motor City boasts one of the highest traffic fatality rates in the country. Those numbers also spiked between 2017 and 2020. According to an article in The Detroit News; "Wayne County has had nearly 16 times more traffic deaths than the average U.S. county since 2016." Detroit being the largest city, both in population and area within Wayne County.
In an effort to reduce fatal crashes and improve overall safety, The Department of Transportation has granted Detroit nearly $25 million to upgrade infrastructure. The Motor City was awarded the grant thanks in large part to an aggressive, data driven proposal by local officials and public service workers.
The City looks to move quickly in implementing their safety upgrades.
Thanks to data gathered by public agencies, officials have identified key areas and streets within the city which require immediate attention.
High priority areas include: Portions of Whittier Avenue, Van Dyke Street, Mack Avenue, Vernor Highway, Wyoming Avenue, Schaefer Highway, Evergreen Road and Joy Road. Stretches of Seven Mile, Livernois, Plymouth Road. (Riley Beggin, Detroit News)
What will the improvements include, and how exactly will they help decrease a nation high fatality rate? That all depends on the specific street and desired outcome.
Some roads may see reduced lanes, include an unpaved median, or dividers for bicyclists. Others will likely see speed bumps, clearer crosswalks, or amplified pedestrian walkways.
The goal is to make streets safer for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.
That's an effort we can all get behind.
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