Finding F10.1

Finding F10.1

The Vision Zero Steering Committee, co-led by representatives from the Mayor’s Office and the Department of Transportation, never developed a program balanced between the four components of the Vision Zero program. The engineering component predominated while enforcement was relegated to a secondary role. After the Steering Committee ceased functioning and LADOT took sole leadership of Vision Zero, this imbalance became even more pronounced, compounded by poor communication between LAPD and LADOT, and no broad education and evaluation efforts. Only with the formation of a Program Oversight Committee led by mayoral staff can Vision Zero be effectively directed toward easing the inherent tension between speed and safety necessary to save lives. Engineering alone cannot coerce safe driving nor protect pedestrians. The current “failed” status of Los Angeles’ engineering focused VZ effort testifies to that fact. The Mayor’s involvement in 2023 regarding Safe Routes to Schools infused energy into direct action and the resultant projects completed on the streets of Los Angeles demonstrated that leadership makes a difference to program success.