Support your aging, rural community by learning how to reduce pedestrian deaths.

Support your aging, rural community by learning how to reduce pedestrian deaths.

 

Nice, CA is like many rural communities across the US, with an aging-in-place population and two-lane country roads connecting pockets of local businesses.

NICE, Calif. — On Friday, April 26, at 9:15 a.m. PDT, Nice locals will co-host a Crash Analysis Studio to analyze a crash site on Highway 20, where a 67-year-old woman was killed on February 14 while crossing the street. The free online workshop will present a new framework for rapidly responding to crashes and addressing the root causes of dangerous intersections and roadways.

Register for the Nice, CA, Crash Analysis Studio at strongtowns.org/crash-studio.


Crash Analysis Studio panelists will evaluate the area surrounding Highway 20, just west of Benton Avenue. Panelists will review dangerous conditions at the crash site and discuss how rural communities can implement safety measures for pedestrians who patronize local businesses alongside rural thoroughfares.


The studio will discuss these conditions and statistics, among others:

  • The collision occurred at night with rainy weather conditions. Studies show that recent increases in pedestrian fatalities mainly occur at night. From 2010 to 2019, nighttime pedestrian fatalities increased 54%, compared to a 16% increase for daytime fatalities (GHSA).

  • Collision location is neither signalized nor marked with crosswalks. The nearest crosswalk (Howard Avenue) is neither lit nor signalized, and it is ~400 feet from the crash site. 

  • The speed limit on Highway 20 at the collision location is 40 miles per hour (mph).

  • Preliminary Speed Study of 543 vehicles showed 69% of drivers were speeding.

  • The average risk of death for a pedestrian reaches 50% at 42 mph, 75% at 50 mph and 90% at 58 mph (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety).

A half-mile stretch of Highway 20 (Hudson Ave. to Sayre Ave.) contains several local destinations, such as Romi’s Brew & BBQ, Nice Market, the Clear Lake marina, and a local beach. There 4 crosswalks, but they are not lit or signalized. Initial speed studies also suggest that most drivers (68%) exceed the 40mph speed limit.


The Crash Analysis Studio is a citizen-led workshop model that uses low-cost methods and analysis frameworks to ask, “Are we building conditions that increase collisions and unsafe behavior?” During studio sessions, technical and non-technical panelists discuss a crash from their area, identify contributing factors, and provide recommendations for short- and long-term solutions in a final report.


Those concerned with traffic safety in their town are encouraged to attend. To replicate the studio process, refer to the free course “Starting Your Own Crash Analysis Studio.”

For media inquiries and follow-up reports, contact:

Karen Douglas — Public Relations
karen@strongtowns.org
844-218-1681

Press Contact:

Karen Douglas
karen@strongtowns.org
844-218-1681

 
 
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