I often say that data is the foundation of our plans. A comprehensive and objective look at all the facts provides a necessary context to making key regional decisions.
While a comprehensive understanding is important, some numbers deserve special priority. A review of traffic crash data indicates that over the past five years, 910 crashes have occurred on a two-mile stretch of Davison in Detroit, resulting in 20 people losing their lives and over 225 being seriously injured.
A pedestrian discusses safety issues along Davison Ave.
The significant impact of traffic crashes on this stretch of Davison Avenue points toward the rise in vehicle crash deaths throughout Southeast Michigan in recent years. While it is not immediately clear what is causing this trend, we are taking a hard look at the issue.
The opportunity to save human lives motivates SEMCOG’s Road Safety Task Force, which has been diligently working to identify causes and create solutions. Later this year, SEMCOG’s Executive Committee will vote to adopt the Road Safety Plan for Southeast Michigan.
One of the plan’s draft recommendations is to “Focus safety funding on high-priority road segments, intersections, and initiatives.” We recently had the opportunity to participate in what might be called a preview of implementation efforts for this recommendation along Davison Avenue.
Last Friday, a few SEMCOG staff members joined a group of Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) engineers and other community stakeholders on Davison Avenue as part of a campaign called “LOOK! Davison, Be Safe! Be Seen!”
SEMCOG staff
Prior to Friday’s “safety blitz,” MDOT had already reached out for community ideas to improve safety, worked to improve the area with pavement markings to aid driver awareness for proper turn lanes, and added pedestrian refuge islands to aid with crossing the street. Meanwhile, the City of Detroit’s Public Lighting Authority has repaired the street lights for improved visibility and safety.
On Friday, safety blitz staff tallied pedestrian crossings at intersections, encouraged drivers and pedestrians to be safe, and asked the community for more ideas to improve safety along Davison.
Media coverage of the Davison Safety Blitz
Along with capturing more useful data and receiving great feedback from the community, the blitz successfully demonstrated how a collaborative effort can raise awareness as local media (including the Detroit News, FOX 2, and WDIV) filed reports. A little star power never hurts either, as former Detroit Lion Jason Hanson was on hand to help get the word out.
Jason Hanson
As our Road Safety Task Force wraps up its efforts on the Road Safety Plan for Southeast Michigan, I look forward to seeing how our region can pull together to make our transportation system safer for everyone.
SEMCOG also supports state and national safety campaigns called Toward Zero Deaths. Be sure to follow @SEMCOG on Twitter and watch for #TowardZeroDeaths.
Leave a Reply