Oklahoma City, OK – Oklahoma City is making strides towards a safer future on its roadways with the launch of its Vision Zero initiative, a project focused on eliminating fatal traffic accidents. The city’s goal is clear: zero fatalities and the elimination of deadly crashes.
Max Harris, a senior planner for Oklahoma City, outlined the primary objective of the program: reducing and ultimately eradicating fatal collisions. The initiative comes in response to a concerning rise in traffic deaths, which saw a 34% increase in 2021, with 99 lives lost on the roads.
The city’s Vision Zero plan starts with a targeted approach, focusing on the 15 most dangerous streets and intersections. These high-risk areas will receive immediate attention to implement changes designed to reduce accidents and prevent fatalities.
For example, South Mustang Road, located in Ward 3, has seen a disproportionately high number of fatal crashes. The Vision Zero plan includes specific recommendations for improving safety along this corridor, which Harris said could have a significant impact.
Another area of concern is Northwest 23rd Street between Meridian and I-44, where speed reductions are expected to play a key role in reducing deadly crashes. Harris emphasized that other problem areas would require tailored solutions based on the specific issues they face. In some locations, inadequate street lighting has been identified as a contributing factor to accidents. By addressing these environmental hazards, the city hopes to make roads safer for all drivers.
The Vision Zero initiative’s funding has been secured through a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, but Harris indicated that additional funding sources will be pursued as the project progresses. The federal grant was used to develop the plan, and the next phase will involve seeking further grants to fund capital projects and infrastructure improvements.
As Oklahoma City works toward its ambitious goal, the Vision Zero initiative reflects a commitment to making the city’s streets safer, with a long-term focus on eliminating fatalities and making lasting changes to how the city approaches road safety.
