Objective

Pedestrians, wheelchair users, joggers/runners, cyclists and motorists are being injured and dying on Louisville streets in unacceptable numbers. Working with local and national citizens and organizations, Safe Streets Louisville seeks to implement a wide range of changes resulting in fewer road deaths and injuries. Safe Streets Louisville will not shrink from identifying and addressing the major cause of road death and injury. The laws of physics concerning mass, velocity and impact identify the problem - the larger the vehicle, the faster the speed, the greater the damage. A major element of our agenda is to slow vehicular speed and hold vehicle owners responsible for destruction done by their vehicles.

Children will chase balls into traffic. Youths will erratically bicycle in alleys and streets. At present, when these young pedestrians and cyclists are hit they are written off as collateral damage while motorists continue to drive without being held responsible for the damage their chosen mode of transportation inflicts on others. We reject blaming the victim for not wearing bright clothes. We reject letting off the sun-blinded motorist. We reject absolution for driving under the influence. Our agenda is to make Louisville's sidewalks and streets safe for all users - regardless of their age or transportation mode.

Some will wrongly characterize the Safe Streets Louisville as "anti-car". It is not anti-car. Safe Streets Louisville promotes responsible motor vehicle use. Our first concern is primary transportation - walking (or for some, wheelchairs). Pedestrians deserve safe right-of-way. Experienced adult cyclists should stay off sidewalks; motor vehicles should not threaten pedestrians, cyclists or other motorists. Safe Streets Louisville promotes responsible vehicle use.

Our objective is traffic casualty reduction. The strategy is to reduce the number and severity of crashes. The tactics include aggressive prosecution, better road design, stronger legislation, increased enforcement, improved driving, transforming public attitudes toward road safety, holding drivers accountable for their actions, making license plates legible, reducing motor vehicle speeds, greater enforcement technology, curtailing the use of distracting electronic devices, employing motor vehicle control technology, etcetera.