Safe Streets Act of 2014 Kaplan University

At first glance, Charleston S.C. is an idyllic city. It is an old town, with cobbled streets and narrow antiquated sidewalks; on closer inspection it will reveal its hidden dangers. These quaint and roughhewn areas are actually injuring and killing people at an alarming rate. The state was ranked fourth in the nation for its pedestrian danger index; Charleston’s statistics were directly at the top. (Dangerous by Design S.C., 2014) The need for safer sidewalks and streets for all pedestrians should be a maximum priority, and there is a plan in place to help to do this. The Safe Street Act is a law yet to be enacted, but is gaining in popularity in the Senate. The act sets the blueprint which will make a difference in the way streets and sidewalks will be built from now on. It will support the safety and convenience of all it’s users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transit users and drivers. It will reconstruct and rehabilitate the existing problem areas and will not allow building in any more dangerous areas. The Safe Streets Act of 2014 will protect our citizens especially our seniors from many of the perils of living in Charleston. The bill, introduced to the Senate on February 6th, 2014 by senators Brian Schatz and Mark Begich is a comprehensive one. It creates incentives for federal transportation agencies to design safe streets for all; this would also include people of all ages and disabilities. Two-thirds of pedestrian deaths occur on federally funded roads, according to the Senators. “Our legislation provides commonsense solutions to consider the needs of our seniors and children encourage alternate forms of transportation, and make our roads and communities safer for everyone,” said Schatz. As mentioned, elderly pedestrians are one of the significant influences for the bill. In 2005, seniors over the age of sixty-five reported for 15% of all traffic deaths and 20% of all pedestrian fatalities.(Aging America and Transportation, 2013) Between 2010 and 2040, the number of adults aged 65 and older in the United States is expected to double from 40 to 81 million (US Census Bureau, 2009). Allowances should be made now for this incredible growth. Measures include offering walk-friendly facilities, such as appropriately designed sidewalks and sufficient lighting. Sidewalks need to be ground down and resurfaced in Charleston to accommodate the root systems of the trees, and in some areas sidewalks widened to hold the entirety of the pedestrian traffic. American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps are also vital. In the south, the hot sun tends to bleach pavement and road markings. Using contrast pavement markings, such as black paint on pale concrete pavement, helps to distinguish between the pavement and the lines, which helps with trip hazards. The city can also improve the security features of intersections where there is a representation of seniors, and high foot traffic areas by raising crosswalks, modifying the signal timing for slower walking speeds and increasing the visibility of traffic signals. Black plastic backplates would create a darkened space around each signal lamp and increase visibility especially in congested areas where signals are lost in the backdrop and in east-west roads because they block interference from the sun. If something as simple as a yellow reflective strip is put around the back plates it reduces the amount of crashes and pedestrian accidents by 24% at signaled intersections. (Aging America, 2012) In some areas in Charleston there are no sidewalks at all. South Carolina ranks near the bottom for spending money on pedestrian safety resources and ranks top for pedestrian and cyclist fatalities. Furthermore, in an article from 2014 the author claims “nationally, from 2009 to 2013, less than one-half of 1% of federal safety related funds was obligated to projects that improve safety for pedestrians. (Smart Growth America, p. 2) Cost is still a concern for most people. There are, numerous actions that can be done on a grassroots level at least to educate Charlestonians on the dangers of the streets and sidewalks. Low cost public service announcements on obeying signals, and proper crossing techniques might be highlighted. A Federal Highway Administration PSA announces “In the time it takes to stop for someone in the crosswalk, you could save a life, or change yours forever.” Police officers could visit high schools and colleges to educate youth on safe driving techniques. The highest percentage of accidents with pedestrians and bicycles are with drivers who are male between the ages of 18 and 25 years old. If one young person is influenced by an officer, it would save a life or prevent injury. There are hidden benefits to improving the sidewalks, one is increased health benefits. If the population embraced other modes of transportation, it would be in a much better place. The greater the accessibility to well-made sidewalks the more people would be encouraged to walk. In a city like Charleston which is built on a peninsula, is very conducive to walking and bicycling. The health benefits of its residents would grow as each week passed. Obesity would lessen and with that fewer trips to the hospital for related illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. Another advantage for bettering sidewalks is that it would stimulate the local economy. The extra people who walk past¸ instead of driving by local businesses, the more purchasing will happen. The fewer people drive, the additional money they save which would be funneled into restaurants, retail stores and sidewalk vendors. Walkable neighborhoods also raise property values and spur private investment. In an article from 2005 (Barracks Row Main Street) claims “In Washington, D.C., design improvements along a the-quarter mile corridor in Barracks Row, including new patterned sidewalks and traffic signals, help attract 40 new businesses and nearly 200 new jobs, along with increases in sales and foot traffic.” (Preservationnation.org) The citizens of the United States are in love with their cars. This is a fact that cannot be taken out of the American psyche, yet there is a national epidemic of pedestrian deaths and injuries. The dangers of the automobile are increased; people on foot are sixteen times more likely to die by being hit by a car than being killed in a natural disaster.(Dangerous by Design, 2014) Yet it does not seem to have the corresponding level of urgency to establish a change than we do with a hurricane or flood. There are designs and plans in place to help combat an earthquake or a tornado, there should be the same plans for a better design in the community to keep our pedestrians safe. The creation of well-connected walking paths is a significant component for a habitable community, and the design needs to be a part of a Federal-aid plan. Charleston’s legislators should be working aggressively to fix the problem, and the Safe Streets Act of 2014 is an excellent start.

References Barracks Row Main Street, (2005) Barracks Row in Washington D.C. National Trust for Historic Preservation. Retrieved From: http://preservationnation.org/resources/case-studies/gamsa/2005/barracks-row-washington-dc.html Coughlin and D’Ambrosio (2012) Aging America and Transportation, Retrieved from: http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.lib.kaplan.edu/eds/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzQyMTY0MV9fQU41?sid=6a86e91d-c154-4e6b-93b2-20d873d925cf@sessionmgr113&vid=1&format=EB&rid=1 Smart Growth America (2014) Dangerous by Design 2014 National Overview. Retrieved from: www.smartgrowthamerica.org/research/dangerous-by-design/dbd2014/national-overview

Smart Growth America. (2014) Dangerous by Design 2014, South Carolina. Retrieved from: www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/dangerous-by-design-2014/dangerous-by-design-2014-southcarolina.pdf U.S. census bureau (2010) The next four decades, the older population in the United States: 2010- 2050. Retrieved from: http://www.census.gov/prod/2010pubs/p25-1138.pdf

Reflection I have mentioned before that I am a law student and this class did not come easily to me. I have, however learned more in this group than any other class I have taken thus far. I do see very clearly how essential College Comprehension II will be in my time ahead. In my future as a paralegal I will be drafting legal documents, and reading complex briefs, this course helped me not only to write more effectively, but to read carefully and really comprehend the words. Personally I have noticed that I have started to write in a more formal manner from my texts to Facebook I try to be clear, not jumbled in my communication. I have learned several things about effective writing in my time here. Some that stand out in my mind are all the Kurtis Clements podcasts, how by listening to his clear words that I had some real a-ha moments. I also enjoyed “Getting Started on a Draft” and “Prewriting: from mess to potential masterpiece.” Both gave me a real sense of purpose and helped me to get over what I thought was the hard parts of comprehension. I will use the lessons that I learned in this class for the rest of my life.