The Goleta City Council has approved adoption of the Vision Zero approach to governance, a philosophy that maintains serious collisions on public roadways are preventable, and that while collisions cannot be avoided altogether, steps can be taken to avoid deaths and serious injuries.

“Vision Zero policies promote building more safety and livability into a city’s circulation system for walkers, bicyclists and motorists,” said Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte. “Our city has already taken significant steps to improve our safety and enjoyment, and even more enhancements are on their way.”

Supporting Vision Zero would prioritize more coordinated work efforts designed to eliminate traffic deaths and severe collisions in Goleta. The focus would be on engineering, education and enforcement.

Higher speeds increase the likelihood of serious injury or death in a traffic collision. Consequently, engineering solutions tend to focus on a combination of speed reduction and stronger separation of people who are biking, walking, and driving, the city said.

Vision Zero originated in Sweden in 1997. As of 2020, the number of traffic-related deaths in Sweden has been reduced by more than 65%.

Sweden had 204 traffic-related fatalities in 2020, a record-breaking low, and a decrease from 772 deaths in 1990, even while the number of miles driven during the same period had grown.

Some 45 U.S. cities have adopted Vision Zero programs to reduce the number of fatal crashes occurring on their roads.

California cities lead the way, with Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Alameda, Berkeley, Fremont, La Mesa, Los Angeles, Monterey, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Watsonville having adopted Vision Zero strategies.

The Goleta Council also received an update on the steps the city has taken to improve traffic safety including complete streets initiatives, intersection improvements, and improvements to the bicycle and pedestrian networks. 

The staff report is available here: http://tinyurl.com/52x889a4.