Providence looks to make its roads safer for all pedestrians
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Providence is looking to make its roads safer for pedestrians.
This initiative, called Vision Zero, comes amid multiple occurrences of hit-and-run incidents, including one that occurred earlier this week.
“In the last year three people have been killed walking this busy corridor at different times of the day,” said Rachel Miller, Providence City Council President.
After a resolution was unanimously approved by the city council last week, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley signed legislation for Vision Zero Wednesday morning.
The signing occurred outside the cemetery on North Main Street, a site of numerous pedestrian-involved crashes over recent years.
“What we find is it’s not that the speed limit is wrong, it’s the speed at which people are traveling,” said Mayor Smiley.
“(We want to) Prioritize the safety and well–being of pedestrians, cyclists and everyone who uses the roadways here in Providence.“
Wednesday’s ceremony was also attended by families of those who have been killed in hit-and-run crashes.
Among those in attendance was Michael English whose brother was killed on New Year’s Eve.
English feels the legislation is a step in the right direction, but there need to be stricter punishments for hit-and-run drivers.
“Right now I truly believe that more people should actually go to trial instead of having deals,” said English.
Mayor Smiley says that the Vision Zero initiative will add more speed signs on the roads and will provide targeted enforcement by police in an effort to crack down on unsafe driving and make Providence streets safer.
“There’s just too many hit and runs in Providence,” said English. “I turn on the tv and there’s another one and another one and another one.”
“They’re killing families, they’re changing lives beyond the person they just hit.”
2,200 pedestrians have been hit by cars in Providence between 2011 and 2021, with an additional 904 cyclists hit.
The goal of city leaders is to reduce that number to zero.
