‘Vision Zero’ Workshop Seeks to Eliminate Transportation Deaths

Transportation issues are important to residents and business owners alike and both can have their voice heard at a workshop set for April 17 at the Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE from 3 to 5 p.m.

According to a county media release, this will be the third of three workshops held by the Volusia-Flagler TPO (Transportation Planning Organization) highlighting the organization’s “Vision Zero” plan.

“Vision Zero” is an action plan focused on reaching zero deaths within the transportation system. The idea was first adopted in 1997 in Sweden and has spread worldwide since.

“Reaching zero deaths requires the implementation of a Safe System approach,” according to the Volusia-Flagler TPO website. “Applying the Safe System approach involves anticipating human mistakes by designing and managing road infrastructure to keep the risk of a mistake low… When a mistake leads to a crash, the impact on the human body doesn’t result in a fatality or serious injury.”

According to the release, the goal of Vision Zero is to integrate safety principles during the planning and implementation of transportation programs and provide a proactive and preventive approach to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries.

The release cites a report from the organization Smart Growth America entitled “Dangerous by Design 2024” that found there were 2,500 crashes resulting in serious or fatal injuries on Flagler and Volusia roadway between 2019 and 2023.

“We are always working with our partners to make the improvements that will make our roadways in Flagler County safer,” said County Engineer Hamid Tabassian, in the release. “These community workshops will provide more information about Vision Zero, and opportunities to become more involved.”