TEMPE — After more than a year of working and planning, Tempe's Vision Zero campaign is ready to present a draft plan of action to the public on Wednesday, March 27th.
"Traffic crashes effect everybody," said Tempe Traffic Engineer Julian Dresang. "There's not one part of the population that is exposed more than others."
Whether you are behind the wheel, behind the handlebars, or using your own two feet, the potential of a crash is always a possibility.
"We want to make sure that everybody comes to those meetings so that they have the opportunity to weigh in on things that impact their lives," Dresang said.
ABC15 first introduced Vision Zero last June, as part of our Operation Safe Roads campaign.
Now, after meeting with police, fire, Arizona State University and others, the team said they have now developed strategies to implement Vision Zero.
"Zero being the number of fatal and serious injury crashes in the city Tempe and we believe that anything more than zero just isn't good enough," Dresang explained.
To do that, they are zeroing in on specific trouble spots.
"Making sure the infrastructure is in place for bicycles and pedestrians," Dresang explained. "We're also looking at night-time, which is when we see an increase amount of traffic and crashes... so, make sure the lighting levels are right."
But, Dresang said some items in their plan could not wait to be implemented, like distracted driving.
The city recently updated their ordinance last month and made it a primary offense for drivers to use their cell phone while driving.
"Whatever it takes to get to that zero, we're going to strive for," Dresang said.
A public meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at the Tempe History Museum (809 E. Southern Avenue).
If you cannot attend in person, you can still submit feedback online and view the draft plan.