Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Boston

Boston Has Yet to Deliver on Big Promises to Eliminate Traffic Deaths

Beacon Street

Beacon Street is a three lane speedway — exactly the type of street that Boston needs to change dramatically to achieve the goal of zero traffic deaths. Image: Google Maps

Boston's Beacon Street is notorious for speeding and tragedy. Two years ago, a young couple was walking along the street when they were struck by a driver who ran a red light, hit another vehicle, and then flipped. Jessica Campbell, 27, and Jack Lanzillotti, 28, were both killed.

Last year Beacon Street was the site of another high-profile crash. Two men were allegedly drag racing at speeds of up to 60 mph, when one jumped the curb and struck a 28-year-old pedestrian, inflicting non-fatal injuries. Residents of this area of the Back Bay told the Boston Globe that dangerous driving is the norm.

Also in 2016, Mayor Marty Walsh committed to a Vision Zero action plan to eliminate traffic deaths by 2030. Beacon Street is exactly the type of high-risk roadway that Walsh's administration should act decisively to redesign for greater safety, but local advocates say the lack of action to fix Beacon Street is emblematic of the city's timid approach to the problem.

The Vision Zero Coalition, which includes organizations like the LivableStreets Alliance, the Boston Cyclists Union, and Walk Boston, recently released a report calling on Walsh and the City Council to devote more resources to street redesign and staff up agencies like the DOT and Department of Public Works, address Boston's traffic safety problem.

Traffic fatalities in Boston fell last year, but there was a jump in pedestrian deaths, according to Andrew McFarland of the LivableStreets Alliance. The group estimates 15 pedestrians were killed within city limits in 2016, up from nine in 2015. (Official city data hasn't been released yet.)

The city won a major victory last year, getting approval in the statehouse to lower the default speed limit from 30 to 25 mph. That took effect a couple of weeks ago. Walsh's administration has also done good work identifying dangerous streets and intersections.

But the coalition says City Hall isn't taking steps to redesign streets that are commensurate with the scale of the problem. Last summer, for instance, the city installed a protected bike lane on a single block of Beacon. The coalition would like to see these treatments scaled up to include the entire street.

The agencies working on Vision Zero street redesigns in Boston don't have as much to work with as their counterparts in other cities. Boston allocates $3.1 million toward its Vision Zero action plan. That's less than $5 per capita. Meanwhile, New York City has dedicated about $13 per capita and San Francisco about $75, McFarland says.

The coalition wants to see the city's next budget significantly increase funding for Vision Zero projects.

"They really need to up their game in terms of increasing funding and expanding staff to make sure that projects get implemented on the ground," McFarland said.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday Video: Are We All Living in a ‘Carspiracy’?

How does "car-brain" shape the way we think about the world — even in relatively bike-friendly countries like the U.K.?

July 26, 2024

Friday’s Headlines Share and Share Alike

Bikeshares, and e-bikes and scooters generally, are becoming more popular. That's led to more injuries, highlighting the need for better infrastructure.

July 26, 2024

What the Heck is Going on With the California E-Bike Incentive Program?

The program's launch has been delayed for two years, and currently "there is no specific timeline" for it. Plus the administrator, Pedal Ahead, is getting dragged, but details are vague.

July 26, 2024

Talking Headways Podcast: Have Cities Run Out of Land?

Chris Redfearn of USC and Anthony Orlando of Cal Poly Pomona on why "pro-business" Texas housing markets are catching up to "pro-regulation" California and what it might mean for future city growth.

July 25, 2024

The Paris Plan for Olympic Traffic? Build More Bike Lanes

A push to make Paris fully bikable for the Olympics is already paying dividends long before the opening ceremonies.

July 25, 2024
See all posts