Richmond has a pedestrian safety problem. Public transportation could be a solution. (The Commonwealth Times)
Shift into Safe News
As Richmond, Virginia begins the new year, it has seen a recent uptick in tragedy — multiple people, including the beloved director of the Valentine Museum Bill Martin, were killed in pedestrian-related traffic crashes.
Richmond has some of the riskiest drivers nationwide, according to Axios. While traffic-related deaths in the city have declined since 2022 (a year that saw a record-high 26 deaths), the average is still higher than the 2017-2019 decline.
For the past year, City Hall — in collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University — has committed to a global strategy called “Vision Zero,” an initiative aimed at preventing traffic-related fatalities.
The program has since taken a few main courses of action: building infrastructure that promotes pedestrian safety, such as curb extensions and crossing signs; increased police presence to ramp up speed enforcement; and initiatives such as “Heads up, Rams!” to educate and enhance pedestrian awareness.
The rollout of these programs, while efficient, is still ongoing. In Richmond, there were 13 traffic-related pedestrian deaths in 2025. In just the past three weeks, we have seen six. Richmond’s pedestrian safety issue is better classified as a crisis.
Mayor Danny Avula addressed these recent concerns directly in a Jan. 8 press release, announcing a series of immediate actions aimed at improving pedestrian safety in the city and stating that “everyone deserves to get where they’re going safely.”
The new actions Avula described include an expanded safety camera program, accelerated street safety improvements and the creation of a “Pedestrian Safety Task Force” in partnership with VCU.
Most notably, the release included the creation of a new Department of Transportation within Richmond’s greater Department of Public Works. It is set to lead the city’s street safety programs and mobility work, as well as head the planning, execution and maintenance of a public transportation system.
The creation of the department marks a major step forward for the city of Richmond and its residents.
A study by the American Public Transportation Association found that transit-oriented communities are five times safer than automobile-oriented communities. With fewer cars on the road and more people relying on public transit, there are fewer opportunities for accidents. With any luck, this new department will help Richmond start to make the transition.
