The fourth installment of our Ethics in Civil Engineering series takes a critical look at the enforcement side of traffic safety.
From Vision Zero Network: "Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. Vision Zero starts with the ethical belief that everyone has the right to move safely in their communities, and that system designers and policy makers share the responsibility to ensure safe systems for travel."
The overarching goal of Vision Zero is to reduce traffic fatalities to zero by treating them as preventable. The foundation of many Vision Zero plans focus on the five E’s: engineering, education, encouragement, evaluation, and enforcement.
But that last E raises some issues.
The overarching goal of Vision Zero is to reduce traffic fatalities to zero by treating them as preventable. The foundation of many Vision Zero plans focus on the five E’s: engineering, education, encouragement, evaluation, and enforcement.
But that last E raises some issues.
The LAPD is heavily involved in LA's Vision Zero plans. The equity portion of the Action Plan, promises to “adhere to the LAPD’s commitment to unbiased policing in the implementation of Vision Zero-enforcement efforts.” Yet there are no clear efforts being made to hold the LAPD accountable. Even if implicit bias training is done, a study conducted on the NYPD shows that while implicit bias training may change the attitudes of officers, their violent behavior stays the same.
We must challenge these empty promises made in the name of traffic safety; they are costing lives.
We must challenge these empty promises made in the name of traffic safety; they are costing lives.
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