Mayor Muriel Bowser launched Vision Zero in 2015 to inspire and transform DC's roadway safety efforts, and set our sights on a goal of zero fatalities or serious injuries on our streets. Following are the team of experts who focus on this initiative.
Vision Zero Office
- Charlie Willson½Vision Zero Director
- Matthew Bewley½Vision Zero Data Analyst
Highway Safety Office
- Rick Birt½Director
- Vacant½Deputy Director
- Karen Gay½Transportation Management Specialist
- Melissa Shear½ Senior Attorney Advisor and Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor
- Presley Conner½ Vulnerable Roadway User Communications Manager
Background
Vision Zero is a part of the Mayor’s response to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Mayor’s Challenge for Safer People and Safer Streets, which aims to improve transportation safety by showcasing effective local actions, empowering local leaders to take action, and promoting partnerships to advance safety for all traveling on District streets.
Several District government agencies help to implement Vision Zero’s mission: the District Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Police Department, the District Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Public Works and the Department of For Hire Vehicles.
The Highway Safety Office (HSO) is committed to improving the safety of the Nation’s Capital roadways by focusing on eliminating unsafe practices such as impaired driving, unbelted drivers/occupants, children not restrained in appropriate car seats, aggressive driving, distracted driving, risky pedestrian and bicycle behavior, and other unsafe practices in general. The HSO manages and directs funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to power community programs that leverage evidence-informed countermeasures to change behavior and keep our roadways safe for all users.
For more information, go to visionzero.dc.gov.