Today, we’d like to introduce a new feature we created to help track and identify unsafe intersections and roadways for pedestrians and cyclists. The 2010 Greater Miami Collision Database, provides us with a grim view of our local streets, depicting locations where cyclists and pedestrians have been struck-by vehicles over the past year. While the data is unpleasant, we’re hoping to call attention to problem locations over time (and through previous data sources, when made available).
It’s important to note, the markers on the map are not just waypoints, these are people. Lives lost or maimed because of poor infrastructure, careless drivers, or the likely combination of several variables - all of which contribute to the 40,000 people who die annually in vehicular collisions (Note: 5,000 cyclists and pedestrians are killed annually by vehicles). Enough is enough - we’re launching an aggressive campaign to reverse this trend.
This database is a collaborative process. We’d like to invite readers to submit (movemiami(at)gmail.com) information concerning any collision between a car and a pedestrian or cyclist. We’ll be updating the map soon (to a new platform) that will allow you all to participate more freely. And, as soon as we get our hands on some historical data, we’ll be sure to plot it out as soon as possible to illustrate some historical trends.
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[…] The MSNBC piece focuses on our “an ambitious project to document the crashes that often prove fatal in and around Miami, using a Google map that keeps track of the accident sites and whether there were any fatalities.” You can read the whole article here. We need your help to ensure this project’s success. If you are aware of any bicycle collisions, please email us whatever details you can. It is our hope that this will serve as a tool for planners, engineers, policy makers and advocates. Learn more about the project in TM’s post below. […]
Hello from OHio
As a “bike lawyer” who represents riders but also does research and writes on bicycle safety, crashes and statistics, I have to applaud the effort to track crashes here. It’s an outstanding use of modern technology to try to help solve some old problems.
One statistical note - of the “5000 pedestrians and cyclists killed annually” some 700 are cyclists and 4300 are pedestrians! http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx
In 2008, there were 716 cycling deaths. Florida, California and Texas had 125, 109 & 53 respectively, for a total of 287 - or an almost even 40% of the total for all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. The next states with highest fatalities were New York [42], North Carolina [32] and Illinois [27]. All other states had 20 or fewer cycling fatalities. http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811156.PDF
Clearly, there are some big problems for cyclists in Florida. Why are there triple the fatalities in Florida when compared to NY?
The same “big 3″ dominate the data for pedestrian deaths. California [620] Florida [490] and Texas [416] have 1526 fatalities, or 35% of the 4,378 pedestrian deaths in the U.S. in 2008. New York isn’t far behind at 294. Only North Carolina [160] has more than 150.
My point[s] are:
1. Cycling is generally SAFE. Cyclists MILLIONS of miles each year without incident. Fatalities, in most states, are statistical rarities.
2. Research is needed into fatalities and bike/car crashes to determine in detail WHAT HAPPENED. Police often are not trained in analyzing bicycle crashes appropriately. Many times unless there is litigation, NOBODY takes a close look at the real cause of bike crashes.
Good luck and keep up the GREAT work here!
Steve Magas
The Bike Lawyer
http://www.OhioBikeLawyer.com
BikeLawyer@aol.com