OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
A Vision Zero Action Plan is led by the goal of eliminating all traffic-related deaths and severe injuries. Considering the rate of traffic-related fatalities and injuries, this goal can seem overwhelming and out of reach – but the opportunity to save lives is worth it. To make our goal a reality will require commitment to shared values and the guiding principles below. When design and policy challenges arise, these principles serve as a reminder of the importance of this work, underlying the values and elements needed to make this goal a reality.
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Traffic deaths and severe injuries are unacceptable and preventable.
The City of Knoxville will prioritize actions that reduce crashes that result in a severe injury or death.
Human life is vulnerable and takes priority over moving cars.
The impact of heavy, fast-moving vehicles is often too much for our bodies. Saving lives is more important than improving roadway capacity.
Traffic safety is everyone’s responsibility and should reflect community needs.
Everyone who lives in, works in, visits, or travels through Knoxville shares responsibility for the safety of our streets. This includes elected officials, government staff, advocates, the vehicle industry, and members of the public.
Roadways should be designed to account for human error and ensure that mistakes aren’t deadly or life-altering.
We know humans make mistakes, but one mistake should not end a life. Design of our streets should anticipate these risks and minimize harm.
Quality data, transparent evaluation, and transparent decision-making are needed at all levels of government.
High-quality data is foundational to informing safety improvements. Data should be made available to the public to hold everyone accountable on progress toward zero traffic deaths.
HOW WE'LL GET THERE:
THE SAFE SYSTEMS APPROACH
The
Safe System approach is the framework that guides Vision Zero efforts.
The Safe System approach anticipates human mistakes by building redundancy into transportation systems, so if one aspect of the system breaks down, there are others in place to prevent life-altering crashes and injuries.
This approach involves identifying multiple aspects of safety: road users, vehicles, speed, road design, and post-crash care.
The Safe System approach requires adopting a culture of safety by those who plan, govern, maintain, and use our roadways in Knoxville.