Getting There

It’s Killing Us

WHY TRAFFIC SAFETY NEEDS AN OVERHAUL

The United States is terrible at traffi c safety. Other developed countries are far superior. Here we risk our lives just to get somewhere. Each year more than 35,000 die in traffi c crashes. Almost 5 million more are injured.

Despite the pandemic resulting in less driving, traffi c violence has surged, not declined. The road carnage is immoral.

At a safety conference in 2021, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said, “We spent decades planning, designing, building and operating our road system for the effi cient movement of people and goods, rather than safety.” She added, “Last year there were … zero deaths vehicles, safe speeds, safe roads and post-crash care. The system calls for redundancy and layers of protection. If drivers make a mistake, they should not have to pay for it with their life. The system has to be safe and forgiving.

The culture of road users must change. It can’t be OK to speed, text while driving or drive impaired. We need to bring back driver’s education and have training for kids on bike and pedestrian skills. States can do much more to limit distracted driving and lower blood alcohol content levels.

Auto manufacturers can design vehicles more survivable both for occupants and people outside the vehicle. (Pedestrians account for almost 20 percent of traffi c fatalities.) Automakers can design vehicles, such as SUVs, with lower front ends so pedestrians aren’t thrown under or in front of another car when struck. They can limit vehicle speeds. Why do cars need to exceed 100 mph when that speed is always illegal? Driverassistance technologies, such as automatic emergency braking, can be made standard instead of optional.

The way speed limits are set should be overhauled, so the fastest drivers don’t set the limits. Automated speed cameras can provide constant,

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By Walt Se fert Getting There

and zero crashes on major airlines… (but) 38,680 lives lost on our nation’s roads.”

Historically, traffi c safety efforts in the U.S. focused on changing individual behavior. If we reduced human error (erroneously blamed for 94 percent of crashes by one study) we could have a “safer” system. That approach has not worked. We have to do things differently to get different results.

In January, the federal government proposed a new safety strategy. By setting an ambitious goal of zero traffi c deaths and serious injuries, it defi es the idea that traffi c deaths and injuries are acceptable. It recognizes humans are fallible and make mistakes on the road. It acknowledges human bodies are fragile and all of us (especially pedestrians and bicyclists) are vulnerable road users.

It calls on all disciplines and stakeholders to be involved and responsible for safety, not just drivers, traffi c engineers or law enforcement. This includes auto manufacturers, road designers, developers, educators, safety advocates, health offi cials, transit providers, legislators and the community.

This “safe system” approach has fi ve basic elements: safe road users, safe consistent, equitable enforcement of limits. It’s my belief that reducing speeds is the quickest and easiest way to make major safety gains.

Road designers can eliminate and narrow lanes, add roundabouts, install medians on some rural roads to prevent head-on collisions, and put in protected bike lanes, wider sidewalks and more street crossings. Developers can make block sizes smaller, go back to the grid system, and provide mixed residential and commercial land uses to make trips shorter.

NTSB Chair Homendy recognizes the goal of zero traffi c deaths is big. NTSB investigates plane crashes. She points to its success in aviation, working with industry, in eliminating fatalities. For traffi c safety, zero death is a goal that must be chosen by all concerned, not because it’s easy, but because it’s hard and the right thing to do.

Walt Seifert is executive director of Sacramento Trailnet, an organization devoted to promoting greenways with paved trails. He can be reached at bikeguy@surewest.net. Previous columns can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @ insidesacramento. n

LEEKS This sweet, delicately flavored vegetable is from the onion family and is related to garlic, chives and scallions. Clean them well before using to remove grit between the leaves. before usin To eat: Braise them whole or slice and sauté for a soup or stew. To eat: Bra

CARNIVAL CAULIFLOWER

These multicolored cauliflowers come in vivid orange, green or purple. They are These multicolored caulifl a great source of vitamins C and B6 and are high in folate and potassium. a great source of vitamins To eat: Boil the whole head briefly in salted water, then drizzle with olive oil and To eat: Boil the whole hea roast at high temp. roast at high temp.

FAVA GREENS

The leaves of the fava bean plant are mildly sweet and buttery. Early in the season, they are tender and can be eaten raw. Later in the season, it’s best to sauté or wilt them. To eat: Mix them into a salad or add to pasta or risotto.

Monthly Market

A LOOK AT WHAT’S IN SEASON AT LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS IN MARCH BROCCOLI

California grows 80 percent of the nation’s crop. Broccoli is packed with vitamin C and dietary fiber. To eat: Boil, sauté, steam or stir-fry.

NANTES CARROTS

This French heirloom variety has an almost perfectly cylindrical shape, smooth skin, crisp texture and sweet taste. To eat: Use in stocks, soups, braises and salads.

ASPARAGUS

Asparagus plants are perennial; the edible spears are the new shoots that appear in spring. To eat: Steam, grill or roast them and serve with hollandaise or lemon vinaigrette.