Hoboken’s Vision Zero Success: How Removing Parking Spaces Is Saving Lives

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A remarkable feat has been achieved on the bustling streets of Hoboken, New Jersey: for seven consecutive years, not a single traffic fatality has been reported. This success story is a beacon of hope for cities nationwide grappling with the harrowing toll of traffic accidents. At the heart of this achievement lies a bold initiative—Vision Zero—and a strategic move to remove parking spaces, as highlighted in a recent Fortune article.

Corner of Washington and Third streets in downtown Hoboken, New Jersey, USA

Image: Tashka, iStock

Hoboken's road to success

Hoboken's journey towards enhanced road safety began with tragedy. The loss of 89-year-old Agnes Accera in a traffic accident served as a wake-up call for city leaders. Deeply moved by the incident, Mayor Ravi Bhalla spearheaded efforts to prioritize safety on the city's streets. Inspired by the Vision Zero concept, which originated in Sweden, Hoboken committed to eliminating traffic fatalities entirely.

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Motor vehicle deaths on the decline

The National Safety Council reported that traffic fatality estimates decreased by 6% in 2023 compared to 2022. New Jersey is one of 10 states that saw declining traffic deaths in 2023.

See the full list.

Vision Zero, a philosophy cities adopt worldwide, challenges the notion that traffic deaths are inevitable. Instead, it advocates for comprehensive measures to safeguard road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. In Hoboken, one key strategy has been removing parking spaces, particularly near intersections—a practice known as "daylighting." Enhancing visibility and shortening crosswalks have proven instrumental in reducing fatalities.

Hoboken's transportation director, Ryan Sharp, explained that the city's approach is grounded in fundamental principles rather than gimmicks. Street corners are widened during repaving projects, curbs are extended, and parking restrictions are enforced rigorously. These measures, though criticized by some, have undeniably saved lives.

Critics argue that removing parking spaces exacerbates congestion and hampers local businesses. However, proponents stress the paramount importance of human life over convenience.

Hoboken's success has reverberated beyond its borders, inspiring other cities to embrace similar strategies. From New York to Baltimore, municipalities are prioritizing pedestrian safety and reimagining urban landscapes. In California, a statewide rule now prohibits parking within 20 feet of intersections—a move hailed as a significant step towards safer streets.

States where motor vehicle deaths are declining

Through December, 2023, these states reported a 10% or higher decrease in traffic deaths compared to 2022.

State
% decrease
# fewer deaths Icon Tooltip  Dark
Alaska-31%25
Maine-24%43
Delaware-20%33
Hawaii-20%23
Massachusetts-20%86
Connecticut-16%62
New Jersey-13%94
New Mexico-13%59
Utah-13%42
Georgia-12%223
New York-11%115
Louisiana-10%83

States where motor vehicle deaths are increasing

Through December, 2023, these states reported a 10% or higher increase in traffic deaths compared to 2022.

State
% increase
# more deaths Icon Tooltip  Dark
District of Columbia+42%14
Rhode Island+35%18
Arizona+29%292
Idaho+26%57
Iowa+13%44
North Dakota+12%12
Maryland+11%60
Kentucky+10%72
Rebecca Edwards
Written by
Rebecca is the lead safety reporter and in-house expert for SafeWise.com. She has been a journalist and blogger for over 25 years, with a focus on home and community safety for the past decade. Rebecca spends dozens of hours every month poring over crime and safety reports and spotting trends. Her expertise is sought after by publications, broadcast journalists, non-profit organizations, podcasts, and more. You can find her expert advice and analysis in places like NPR, TechCrunch, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Miami Herald, HGTV, MSN, Reader's Digest, Real Simple, and an ever-growing library of podcast, radio and TV clips in the US and abroad.

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