Monday’s Headlines: Why Is Vision Zero Failing?
If there really is a war on cars, the drivers are winning, according to a Washington Post investigation.
By
Blake Aued
12:01 AM EST on December 8, 2025
- In all but one of 27 U.S. cities examined by the Washington Post, traffic deaths stayed the same or rose after adopting Vision Zero policies. In most cases, the programs were hamstrung by driver backlash and a lack of funding.
- Businesses, labor and local governments are united in efforts to protect transit funding as Congress writes a new transportation funding bill. (Bloomberg; paywall)
- A spike in injuries caused by “e-bikes” is actually driven by electric motorcycles or mopeds known “e-motos”, which are a whole different beast, and it’s important for policymakers to know the difference. (Velo)
- Another study confirms that bike lanes don’t slow down emergency vehicles. (Momentum)
- Waste from mining lithium for electric vehicle batteries could be used to make low-carbon concrete. (The Conversation)
- The Houston Chronicle editorial board calls out Mayor John Whitmire for reversing safety improvements on the city’s already dangerous roads.
- Oklahoma City could make it streetcar fare-free permanently. (Oklahoman)
- San Antonio named a new 11-member pedestrian and transportation safety commission. (KSAT)
- Chatham County is getting closer to a resolution on oversight of Savannah’s transit service. (WTOC)
- The Statesman-Journal lists Oregon’s 18 most scenic bike routes.
- Honda launched an electric quadricycle that fits in a bike lane for last-mile deliveries. (Car and Driver)
Blake Aued has been doing Streetsblog's daily national news digest for years. He's also an Atlanta Braves fan, which enrages his editor in New York.
Read More:
Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.
More from Streetsblog USA
In Bid To Speed Buses, Mamdani Hopes To Go Where No Mayor Has Gone Before
Streetsblog NYC offers the new mayor a primer on what he's getting into!
July 14, 2026
New York’s Rampant Illegal Parking Stumps Viral Good Samaritan Street Cleaners
A growing group of activists are posting their street-cleaning escapades to social media, but parked cars that don't move for street cleaning are getting in their way.
July 14, 2026
Pedestrian Fatalities Drop Again, But More Needs To Be Done, Says Governors’ Group
Good news, except that 22.5 percent more pedestrians were killed in 2025 by car and truck drivers than in 2015.
July 14, 2026
Tuesday’s Headlines Get Out of the Way
The NHTSA is tired of self-driving cars blocking emergency responders.
July 14, 2026
Monday’s Headlines Don’t Need So Much Parking
More and more cities and states are easing up on parking mandates for new developments.
July 13, 2026
