Indianapolis needs a Vision Zero road safety plan

John Barth, Andy Nielsen, Jesse Brown
Updated ·3 min read

Indianapolis faces significant challenges related to traffic and roadway safety. Year after year, far too many lives are lost or forever altered due to reckless driving — a situation made worse by public infrastructure that prioritizes vehicular speed and throughput over safety.

According to data from the Indiana University Public Policy Institute, Indianapolis has experienced an average of over 100 traffic-related fatalities annually in recent years, with pedestrians and cyclists being particularly vulnerable.

The City-County Council has worked carefully with our constituents to address this crisis. The council passed an updated Complete Streets ordinance, created a Fatal Crash Review Commission, established Greenway Crossing Zones to make street crossings on greenways safer and obtained overtime dollars for traffic enforcement.

Despite these changes, speeding and reckless driving continue to be at crisis levels, resulting in a compounding problem for vulnerable road users and neighborhoods across our city.

Cars move quickly on 86th Street through the intersection Monday, June 12, 2023 by 86th Street and the Monon. This intersection is a dangerous one for pedestrians and cyclists crossing, with heavy traffic. A wreath memorializing Frank Radaker, left, is at the crosswalk. The Bicycle Garage Indy employee was struck by a vehicle at the intersection, as he biked to work, in 2021. He died soon after being hit.

This problem is solvable, but it will require strong leadership and action. We, along with other council colleagues, are proposing a Vision Zero ordinance for our city. Vision Zero is a comprehensive roadway safety initiative that aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while ensuring safe, healthy and equitable mobility for all. As our city continues to grow, implementing Vision Zero is not just a choice, but a responsibility to prioritize the safety of our residents.

By adopting a Vision Zero ordinance, Indianapolis will take proactive steps to address these challenges and create a safer, more sustainable transportation system. Vision Zero initiatives in other cities resulted in reduced traffic fatalities and injuries. For example, cities like New York City and San Francisco have achieved substantial reductions in traffic fatalities since implementing Vision Zero strategies, with a 34% decline in traffic fatalities in New York City between 2014 and 2019.

In addition to saving lives, Vision Zero initiatives have substantial economic benefits. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration research found the economic cost of traffic crashes in the United States is in the billions annually. By preventing injuries and fatalities, Vision Zero can reduce healthcare costs, decrease lost productivity, and enhance property values, ultimately boosting prosperity and well-being of our city.

Implementing Vision Zero poses several challenges, particularly in cities like Indianapolis. First, it requires a shift to a Safe System approach to transportation planning, design, engineering and maintenance. Additionally, Vision Zero initiatives often require significant financial investments in infrastructure improvements, where our resources are already stressed due to a state road funding formula that disadvantages Indianapolis.

Furthermore, achieving Vision Zero goals necessitates collaboration and coordination among various stakeholders, including government agencies, law enforcement, community organizations and residents. This approach can be time consuming, but the end results in a better outcome for all.

Despite these challenges, we know that Indianapolis is up to the task. A city that had the wherewithal to launch an effort to attract a Major League Soccer team can turn that same spirit to addressing this far more pressing and important issue. Adopting a Vision Zero ordinance is not just a matter of public health and safety, but a moral imperative for Indianapolis. By embracing this comprehensive approach to transportation safety, we can create a city where every resident can travel freely, safely, equitably and without fear.

John Barth represents Indianapolis City-County Council District 7, Andy Nielsen represents Council District 14 and Jesse Brown represents Council District 13.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis' traffic safety crisis demands aggressive action