More than 300 people have died in Charlotte traffic incidents in 5 years

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - More than 300 people have died in traffic-related incidents in Charlotte over the past five years, and the city will hold a World Day of Remembrance on Sunday for grieving relatives.

Families are still dealing with the loss as the city tries to make its streets safer.

Vision Zero goal

The city wants to eliminate all traffic-related deaths and severe injuries by 2030. The goal is part of the city’s Vision Zero initiative.

Charlie Jones, deputy director of the Charlotte Department of Transportation, said he hears about every traffic-related crash or death in the city.

“The fatal crashes in this city is more than just numbers, it’s our neighbors, it’s friends and families, and it affects us,” Jones said. He said the department wants to get to zero “as fast as we can.”

Charlotte City Council member Dante Anderson, chair of the council’s Safety Committee, was asked about reaching zero traffic-related deaths by 2030.

“We say we need to have big, hairy audacious goals, and if you have a big goal, you’ll get closer and closer to it,” Anderson said. “We are doing everything we can.”

Red light cameras and bond money

The city is bringing back red-light cameras to catch offenders. Voter approval of neighborhood bonds will also make a difference.

“Now we can get to work with building out infrastructure, especially in some of the areas in our high injury network where we know we have to invest in,” Anderson said.

Jones listed other changes coming because of the bonds.

“It’s protected bike lanes, wider sidewalks, enhancements at intersections such as accessible ramps, pedestrian signals, push buttons, new signals, new signalized pedestrian crossings,” Jones said.

Biggest challenge

Jones said unlawful behavior is the biggest challenge to reaching zero.

“Unlawful behavior, so running red lights, excessive speed, those things really hamper our ability to reach zero,” Jones said.

Remembrance event

City leaders say it is important for families to know what is happening as the effort continues.

“We have to acknowledge what has been done and recognize those families and let them know we are doing everything within our power to ensure that this doesn’t happen to other families,” Anderson said.

The World Day of Remembrance will include a memorial walk.

Charlotte leaders say people make mistakes, but mistakes should not be fatal.