SAFETY

Why do we priorize safety?

In 2017, the City adopted a Vision Zero policy, which commits to zero traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries by 2027. It is unacceptable that people die in traffic crashes on our streets. We are committed to improving safety on Minneapolis streets for all people.

Every year from 2007-2016, an average of 95 people either died or experienced a life-altering injury on streets in Minneapolis.¹ These injuries are disproportionately suffered by those walking and bicycling, in lower income neighborhoods, and by our Native American population.² Our strategies and actions directly address these inequities by focusing on ways to improve conditions for those most impacted. Transitioning automobile trips to walking and bicycling requires safe streets for these users and makes progress toward our climate goal. The City has a 2020-2022 Vision Zero Action Plan which details citywide actions and initiatives to make progress on our goal to end traffic fatalities and severe injuries by 2027.

Fatal and severe injury crashes*

^{*The Department of Public Safety expanded the definition of “serious injury” for crash reports starting in 2016 to align with federal standards, which makes it impossible to directly compare data before and after 2016.} 

^{Source: City of Minneapolis Vision Zero Crash Study (2018), Minneapolis Public Works and MnDOT}

^{1 City of Minneapolis Vision Zero Crash Study (2018) 
2 City of Minneapolis Vision Zero Crash Study (2018)} 

It is unacceptable that people die in traffic crashes on our streets. We are committed to improving safety on Minneapolis streets for all people.