Concerned about dangerous traffic in your Rochester neighborhood? How to push for change
The stories of pedestrians hit and killed by motorists quickly raise a sobering question: Are they preventable?
In Rochester, this year those stories include the tragic deaths of a 19th Ward 6-year-old crossing the street with his sister to get a snack and a 59-year-old Rochester man struck by a city garbage truck in the middle of a crosswalk.
Thirteen pedestrians and bicyclists in Monroe County have been killed in these crashes so far this year, according to data kept by Reconnect Rochester. The nonprofit advocates for inclusive streets that support all modes of transportation ― not just cars.
If you asked Reconnect Rochester members if these tragedies are preventable, their answer would almost always be a resounding, "Yes."
How can residents take their concerns around speeding cars, low visibility and areas that seem to be a hot spot for car crashes and get the city or county to act?
We spoke with the nonprofit's policy and advocacy director, Cody Donahue, to learn more about ways to advocate for traffic calming measures in your neighborhood.
1. Collect data on traffic patterns on your street.
Information is key when pushing for change, Donahue said. Before bringing your concerns to elected officials in charge of street safety, Donahue suggests that you observe and research.
Even unofficial data collection — like recording how many near-miss collisions (or actual crashes) you witness on a particular road in a week — can be helpful.
The organization offers resources on where to find official data, too. Reconnect Rochester says it has recorded every time a vehicle has collided with a pedestrian or bicyclist in Monroe County stretching back to 2013. The map includes traffic conditions, apparent cause of the crash and whether a person was injured.
2. Gather your neighbors who care about traffic safety.
Donahue said petitions are the most common way for residents to voice their concerns.
In Rochester, you can submit these petitions to your City Council representative, although sometimes county or state coordination is necessary.
The county's website offers information around traffic studies and different traffic control measures to consider in your request, such as raised crosswalks and flashing beacons.
After 6-year-old Ryan Grantham Jr. was killed in June, neighbors in the 19th Ward successfully submitted a petition urging city officials to install a flashing crosswalk on Thurston Road. Work on the improvements began this month.
Previous coverage: A Rochester 6-year-old was killed crossing the street. His heartbroken mom wants change
3. Stay engaged with Rochester city-planned work.
The city maintains a list of ongoing street improvement projects on its website. Donahue said it is crucial for residents to keep an eye on improvements in their neighborhood and attend meetings seeking public input.
"The city takes those comments pretty seriously," he said.
Another option is to get involved with community groups like Reconnect Rochester, which pursues its own projects related to street safety. In June, the group completed its fourth "Complete Streets Makeover" at the intersection of Arnett Boulevard and Warwick Avenue.
Each year the project identifies a busy neighborhood intersection and works with the community to install temporary but highly visible solutions that can remind motorists to slow down, such as street murals, sidewalk planters and plastic bollards.
4. Be prepared to wait, stay engaged through delays.
Street improvement projects can take some time, considering city and county officials have to identify funding from different sources and engage community input, Donahue said. Most of the current projects on the city's website suggest there is a one- to two-year window between project design and construction.
Even though it can be a lengthy process, the best way to get started is to act as soon as possible, Donahue said.
"Residents should not wait until these projects are announced. They should start to speak out," he said. "The more that the city hears from the residents of a given area, it might change consideration of priorities and what gets done where or when."
Want to learn more? An upcoming event will feature documentary and panel discussion.
Reconnect Rochester will host a screening of "The Street Project," a documentary film about how communities across the country are combatting road violence.
The screening is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24 at The Little Theatre, 240 East Ave. in Rochester.
Following the film, Reconnect Rochester will facilitate a community conversation with 19th Ward advocates who organized efforts for several traffic calming measures this year, including the new crosswalk on Thurston Road and the makeover at the intersection of Arnett Boulevard and Warwick Avenue.
Panelists include:
Farasa Brown, mother of Ryan "RJ" Grantham Jr.
Richmond Futch Jr., 19th Ward community artist
Josie McClary, president of the 19th Ward Community Association
Mike Weston, executive director of His Branches Community Health Center
Tickets are donation-based and available at www.reconnectrochester.org/streetfilms.
Kayla Canne reports on community justice and safety efforts for the Democrat and Chronicle. Get in touch at kcanne@gannett.com or on Twitter @kaylacanne.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Tips to avoid traffic accidents in Rochester, NY: Reconnect Rochester
