Phoenix City Council essentially kills Vision Zero safety plan in voting deadlock

PHOENIX (FOX 10) -- The Phoenix City Council is looking for ways to lower pedestrian fatalities.

On Tuesday, the City Council voted on a plan called the "Vision Zero" traffic safety program. It would reduce speed limits across the city, but some council members are saying "not so fast."

The numbers are staggering, as pedestrian deaths in Phoenix have doubled over the last decade, putting the city third on a list no city wants to be in: the deadliest places for pedestrians.

Vision Zero is a nationwide effort that aims to eliminate pedestrian deaths through measures like reduced speed, lane adjustments, and different traffic signal strategies.

The plan got mixed reviews from the public.

"If you really want to stop any sort of pedestrian deaths in our city, ban vehicles completely, or ban drunks, or ban people from using drugs and walking in the middle of the street," said one person.

"I'm looking to all eight or nine of you, and asking you what is the solution? Because I sure as heck shouldn't have to risk my life crossing the street or riding my bike to work," said Vision Zero supporter John Glenn.

"I'm concerned with Vision Zero, an overreaction, so I'm fine with collecting data, it seems in over 50% of these cases there's alcohol involved, or pedestrians are outside of where they're supposed to be," said Courtney Shadegg, who is opposed to Vision Zero.

In the end, the council essentially killed the Vision Zero plan, in a four-to-four deadlock vote.