City streets are not just pathways for vehicles, because public roads play a vital role in how civilians shop, walk, and meet throughout the city. Each year traffic accidents kill more than 1.2 million people each year<\/a> world wide, so making city streets can become safer by making better decisions for urban design.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While most traffic initiatives tend to focus on improving the behavior of drivers and pedestrians throughout the city limits, there are several engineering improvements that cities can use to improve the ability for drivers to navigate city roads. Here are just a few of the most common engineering strategies that city planners can use to improve the safety of driver, pedestrians, and cyclists on public roads.\u00a0<\/p>\n

1. Reduce Traffic Speed<\/h2>\n

Speed kills when it comes to traffic fatalities<\/a>, and city planners can reduce the chances that a vehicle will collide with a pedestrian by merely lowering the speed limit in dense traffic areas. Several studies show that automobile speeds below 25-31 MPH drastically reduce the risks posed to pedestrians.<\/p>\n

To see the benefits of lowered speeds, cities can implement low-speed zones along with a variety of traffic calming design strategies.<\/p>\n