“Elderly pedestrian struck by vehicle” headlined the Seattle police blotter Saturday, November 5. The report continued, “On 11-04-11, at approximately 1:30 p.m., a green mini van was backing out of a residential driveway at NE 55 and Princeton Av NE . . .”
Sadly, but not ironically, just last month SDOT published state traffic data that indicates that elderly pedestrians are most frequently the victims of car crashes. The Monday following the report, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, Council President Richard Conlin, and Councilmembers Sally Bagshaw, Mike O’Brien, and Tom Rasmussen hosted a Road Safety Summit at the city hall.
In addition to the city leadership, Seattle-King County Public Health Director, David W. Fleming, M.D. spoke to those in attendance. Dr. Fleming’s remarks were most compelling as he presented facts and details to support a public health aspect to traffic safety. Stating “Traffic crashes are a significant source of injury burden in King County each year. From 2006 to 2010, 484 people died in King County in a motor vehicle-related crash (average about 97 people per year) and an additional 3,663 people were seriously injured (about 733 people per year),” the director reiterated the stark fact which is also displayed on the Seattle-King County Public Health website.
Solutions to this “complex” issue as Fleming identified it, can consist of six “e’s”
Empathy - putting oneself in the shoes, driver’s seat or bicycle of another
Education - includes rules of the road, techniques for driving, when to wear reflective clothing, where to cross
Expectations - involves modeling or more collective involvement, otherwise, peer pressure.
- Stopping for red lights
- Crossing with light
- Not drinking
- Anticipate what can happen
Enforcement
"Click it or ticket" - the State Patrol slogun for encouraging the use of seat belts.
Environment
- Vehicles working
- Traffic controls work
Evaluation - review of how the program(s) working and what needs to be changed.
Additional public meetings are scheduled
November 15, 6pm at Northgate Community Center (RSVP)
November 21, 6pm at Southwest Community Center (RSVP)
The improvements (controversial changes in some cases) to Seattle’s traffic infrastructure are not just for bicyclists. Slowing down speeds and changing street designs make streets safer for all, pedestrians and drivers, and that includes improving streets for the elderly. Afterall, most of us will be someday.
