Worcester Faces Traffic Violence Crisis: New Report Highlights Alarming Pedestrian and Cyclist Risks

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A lot of the conversation in Worcester lately centers on traffic violence. Leaders have labeled what is happening in the city “a crisis.” The Research Bureau has just published a report, Toward Safer Streets – Identifying Risk Factors for Non-Motorists in Worcester, that provides data for the city to use. Paul Matthews tells Talk of the Commonwealth that Worcester has almost double the number of pedestrian fatalities as Boston. That between 2012 and 2019, an average of 184 crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists occurred per year in Worcester. Over 30% of fatal crashes in the city involve those over 65. The report also looks at the high number of crashes that occur near city bus stops and points out that that will be something for the city to consider as it moves its safety plans forward. The report also concludes that Worcester should continue on the path it is on with Vision Zero.