As usual, Florida has been making headlines across the country. The topic this time? Smart Growth America’s latest Dangerous by Design report. The report, compiled in 2016, ranks Florida as the most dangerous place for people walking – again. We’ve earned this distinction since 2011.
CityLab, a national online publication, decided to get to the bottom of it. What makes Florida roads so deadly for people on foot? Turns out, it’s pedestrian and driver behavior coupled with lethal road design. The state has been taking action since the 2011 report was first released – adopting a Complete Streets policy and launching a campaign to push for safer driver and pedestrian behavior from coast to coast.
CityLab also talks about our Best Foot Forward coalition and the steps taken to educate the community, ramp up enforcement and work on low-cost engineering improvements that make a difference in Central Florida. From 2014 to 2016, the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metro dropped 10 points – the biggest change in the country. The good news is that we are moving the needle towards safer streets. The bad news is – Florida still has a lot of work to do.
Visit CityLab for more information.
