[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 168 (Wednesday, October 23, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1336-E1337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              INTRODUCTION OF THE VISION ZERO ACT OF 2019

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 23, 2019

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I introduced the Vision Zero Act 
of 2019. This bipartisan legislation makes the development and 
implementation of Vision Zero plans eligible for federal transportation 
funding under the Surface Transportation Block Grant program, the 
Highway Safety Improvement Program, and the Congestion Mitigation and 
Air Quality Program.
  Traffic fatalities in the United States claim more than 36,000 lives 
every year, that is one life approximately every 14 minutes. Fatal 
crashes are especially common for the most vulnerable road users, that 
is, pedestrians, cyclists, older Americans, and children. Just 
yesterday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 
released their annual traffic fatalities report which found a decrease

[[Page E1337]]

in total traffic fatalities but an increase for vulnerable road users 
like pedestrians and cyclists. We need a new approach. The only 
acceptable number of traffic fatalities is zero.
  In more than 40 urban, rural, and suburban communities across 
America, residents, activists, and elected officials have come together 
to adopt and implement Vision Zero plans. The goal of Vision Zero is 
the elimination of all transportation-related fatalities and serious 
injuries. This includes pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, 
motorists, and passengers. Vision Zero is an innovative, multifaceted 
approach to improve transportation safety across all transportation 
modes by using data, new partnerships, safe planning, and community-
focused solutions toward zero traffic fatalities.
  The Vision Zero Act of 2019 integrates Vision Zero into federal 
transportation policy so that safety, equity, and proper planning are 
finally prioritized.

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