Councilor Flynn Files Hearing on Pedestrian Safety, Vision Zero

Plus a Resolution Celebrating the Centennial of Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

BOSTON – Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn is calling for a hearing with Councilor Janey at this week’s City Council meeting to discuss ways to improve pedestrian safety, provide better traffic enforcement, and achieve Vision Zero – the goal of having zero serious or fatal traffic crashes in the City of Boston. He also filed a resolution celebrating the centennial of Disabled American Veterans (DAV), a non-profit charity that provides service and support for U.S. veterans and their families as they transition from military to civilian life.

Co-sponsored by Council President Kim Janey, this hearing order on pedestrian safety, traffic enforcement, and Vision Zero  aims to discuss ways to further improve traffic calming measures such as slower speeds, stricter enforcement, and infrastructure improvements. Recently, a pedestrian was fatally struck by a vehicle near Andrew Square in South Boston, and another pedestrian was struck by a pickup truck at the entrance of the Public Garden when the truck crashed into a stone pillar. Even as we see less traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic, some drivers view these less congested roads as a license to speed and put the safety and lives of our neighbors in danger. We therefore need to continue to focus on pedestrian and traffic safety with infrastructure improvements – such as speed humps, raised crosswalks, road diets and rapid flash beacons – that would aid in traffic calming.

Councilor Flynn also filed a resolution recognizing Disabled American Veterans (DAV), a veteran organization that provides professional support and assistance to veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services earned through military service. The DAV was founded on Sept. 25, 1920, and chartered by Congress on June 17, 1932 as the official voice of the nation’s wartime disabled veterans. it is the largest wartime veterans service organization in the United States, with 1 million service-disabled veterans in membership. This resolution recognizes the significant commitment and contributions that the DAV has made to our veterans, as well as celebrates their 100 years of service in our country.

“Pedestrian safety is one of the most critical issues we face as a city. As we continue to hear about tragic fatalities and serious crashes, we must continue to work together towards the goal of Vision Zero. I want to thank Council President Janey for her partnership on this issue,” said Councilor Flynn. “Aside from pedestrian safety, I also want to recognize the tremendous work that the DAV has been doing for our veteran community.  The DAV has been an indispensable organization for our disabled veterans, and it deserves recognition for their contributions to our community.

For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 or [email protected].