Traffic Crash Victims Demand an End to Traffic Violence & Safe Streets for People

MEDIA ADVISORY
Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023

Contact
Lara Wojahn, St. Petersburg Bicycle Club, 310-486-4634 larawojahn@icloud.com
Peter Wray, St Petersburg Bicycle Club, 614-906-1049 pwray@me.com

Traffic Crash Victims Demand an End to Traffic Violence & Safe Streets for People

Treasure Island, Florida — On Sunday, Nov. 19 at 9 a.m. families of traffic crash victims (pedestrians and bicyclists) and street safety advocates will gather at Treasure Island Beach to commemorate World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims and to call for local leaders to commit to safe streets by officially joining the Vision Zero Network of communities.

This event is one of hundreds happening across the U.S., which is experiencing a 16-year high in roadway deaths – and the highest number of deaths amongst people walking in 40 years. In 2022, Pinellas Co.’s dangerous roadways claimed 126 lives and caused 9,223 injuries. Fifty-one of the 126 killed (over 40%) were on foot or on a bicycle. Vulnerable road users die in numbers disproportionate to their presence on the streets.

WHAT: Beginning at 9 a.m. at the Sanding Ovations stage victims of traffic crashes will tell their stories and local leaders including Mayor Tyler Payne and State Rep. Lindsay Cross will discuss the planned changes to infrastructure to respond to the calls for safer streets. Following this, participants will walk from the stage along Gulf Boulevard to Treasure Island City Hall.

WHERE: Treasure Island Beach at the Sanding Ovations stage on Treasure Island Beach.

WHO: Car-Free St Pete, Bike Florida, Florida Bicycle Association, St Petersburg Bicycle Club, elected officials, community leaders, victims of traffic crashes.

MORE INFO: https://worlddayofremembrancesuncoast.org , Suncoast WDoR Facebook Event & wdor-usa.org (see for national happenings) #WDoR2023 #SafeStreetsForPeople

Interviews available in English