After a Record Year of Traffic Deaths, the Push For for Safety Funding Intensifies

Feb 14

“Rain or shine, we are out here” — Shiloh Ballard

Shiloh Ballard commuting by bike in downtown San Jose.

Watch as KPIX’s camera and reporter crew delivers a street-level view of Shiloh Ballard’s morning commute through traffic by bicycle, and hear San Jose Transportation Department’s Colin Heyen speak to the importance of $62 million in recently awarded transportation grants, after a year which saw a record 65 traffic deaths on city streets.

Ballard is executive director for the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, which is now pressing a public Fund Vision Zero campaign for a high priority by city leaders in the new budget year for funding of safety improvements along key roadways, to better protect all road users including bike riders and pedestrians.

Fund Vision Zero

San Jose saw a record 65 traffic fatalities by the end of 2022. And that is unacceptable. Although San Jose leaders have committed to funding Vision Zero, our communities cannot afford the pace at which the city is currently funding and implementing Vision Zero. We need Vision Zero funded and implemented now! We are demanding that our city leaders prioritize funding and implementing Vision Zero in the next two fiscal years.