Transportation Safety | Crash Data | Safety Projects | Zero Fatalities
What is Vision Zero?
Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries, while focusing on safe, healthy, equitable mobility for every resident of our community. The original program was initiated in Sweden in the 1990s and has proven successful across Europe. Vision Zero is now gaining momentum in major cities across the United States, with over 40 cities joining the national network in the past 10 years.
Vision Zero is a fresh approach to traffic safety, putting the impetus for safety on addressing the systemic issues evident in the traditional approach to transportation systems.
Traditional Approach
| Traffic deaths are INEVITABLE |
| PERFECT human behavior |
| Prevent COLLISIONS |
| INDIVIDUAL responsibility |
| Saving lives is EXPENSIVE |
Vision Zero
| Traffic deaths are PREVENTABLE |
| Integrate HUMAN FAILURE in approach |
| Prevent FATAL & SEVERE CRASHES |
| SYSTEMIC approach |
| Saving lives is INEXPENSIVE |
Vision Zero is a distinct departure from the current paradigm of the transportation system in two major ways:
- Vision Zero recognizes that people will sometimes make mistakes, so the road system and related policies should be designed to ensure those inevitable mistakes do not result in severe injuries or fatalities. This means that system designers and policymakers are expected to improve the roadway environment, policies (such as speed management), and other related systems to lessen the severity of crashes.
- Vision Zero is a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together diverse and necessary stakeholders to address this complex problem. In the past, meaningful, cross-disciplinary collaboration among local traffic planners and engineers, policymakers, and public health professionals has not been the norm. Vision Zero acknowledges that many factors contribute to safe mobility — including roadway design, speeds, behaviors, technology, and policies — and sets clear goals to achieve the shared goal of zero fatalities and severe injuries.
For more information and further resources on the Vision Zero Network, click the link.
Salt Lake City’s Commitment to Vision Zero
On January 11, 2023, Mayor Mendenhall announced Salt Lake City’s commitment to becoming the first Vision Zero city in Utah. In her announcement, the Mayor set a goal to achieve zero traffic fatalities and serious traffic injuries by 2035.
The work to achieve Vision Zero has already begun with the signing of this proclamation by the Mayor. It builds on the work the City has already undertaken through its Safe Streets Task Force. The City will create a strategic plan, engage with the community, and develop a proactive policy focused on generating the changes necessary to succeed.
Vision Zero Task Force
Included in the Mayor’s announcement, was the shift of the Safe Streets Task Force to become the new Vision Zero Task Force.
The Vision Zero Task Force is a multi-disciplinary effort composed of representatives from State and City agencies to identify the most critical areas of the city where intervention may be necessary to prevent future crashes, injuries, and deaths.
Contact Us
Email | transportation@slc.gov