Rochester residents are weighing in on the city’s efforts to increase traffic safety measures.
As plans for the city’s ROC Vision Zero are being developed, the City invites residents to share their thoughts at local public meetings.
Currently, Rochester residents’ biggest concerns are their safety on sidewalks and roads throughout the downtown area. Residents recall seeing cars run red lights and fly down roads at estimated speeds of 70 miles an hour or more.
Those who may oppose ROC Vision Zero and others are invited to share their thoughts in a series of citywide public meetings to discuss a potential solution — automated traffic enforcement.
The City of Rochester previously attempted to implement automated traffic enforcement after launching its red-light camera program in October 2010. The program sparked outrage and community conversation about the program’s disproportionate impact on some of the city’s predominantly Black neighborhoods; it was cancelled in late 2016.
Now, automated traffic enforcement may return with more input from community voices. Along with attending public meetings, residents have taken to social media platforms like Reddit to share their thoughts on plans for ROC Vision Zero
Residents take to Reddit to share their thoughts on ROC Vision Zero
Reddit user frytuna created a forum highlighting the city’s plans and schedule for future public meetings. Many users respond with concerns about the potential use of automated traffic enforcement.
“My anecdotal and subjective experience in Rochester definitely shows a worsening of people running red lights and driving recklessly,” said user RegularGuyWithABeard in response to the original post. “The cameras were removed because they were placed in low-income and black neighborhoods, disproportionately affecting those demographics.”
And while residents agree on the concerns around speeding and reckless drivers, they hope changes will be made to future enforcement policies.
“I don’t believe any were in the Park Ave. or South Ave. area, were they? My point is that if you’re going to do automated enforcement, don’t cluster the cameras in particular areas. Spread them out. We all know of a specific place in our own areas/towns where we see people breaking the law and wish it could stop,” responded user SteveWithAB.
Residents skeptical of the potential use of automated traffic enforcement suggest implementing more pedestrian infrastructure to improve safety.
“Cameras don’t prevent accidents,” said user DAN1MAL_11, “Road diets. Bike infrastructure. Raised crosswalks. Pedestrian-only streets. Reliable public transit. Secure parking garages. Less surface parking/higher density neighborhoods. All of these limit car trips and car speeds and would improve the safety and livability of our city.”
Throughout May, the city is hosting a series of public information sessions to allow the community to learn about the different types of automated enforcement and share their concerns and feedback.
Here is when residents can attend future public meetings:
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester weighs traffic safety ideas as Vision Zero meetings begin
Reporting by Genae Shields, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
