YOUTH AND OLDER ADULTS
Our City’ s future is tied to our youth: They’ re tomorrow’ s thinkers, leaders, and problem-solvers. Unfortunately, traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for children between ages 5 and 14 in the Los Angeles County. 4 The City’ s Safe Routes to School Initiative recently implemented 11 Safety Zones that dictate a speed limit of 15 miles per hour when children are present.
Older adults in Los Angeles are also particularly at risk, making up a disproportionate share of traffic deaths. Contrary to popular belief, these deaths are not a result of poor driving skills; in fact, only a small( and decreasing) share of fatalities occurred while the person was driving. Rather, older adults are far more likely to be killed while walking because of the errant driving behavior of others. Two-thirds of those killed in 2009 – 2013 were walking.
As Los Angeles’ s older adult population continues to grow, it is increasingly important to reverse these trends, especially as more people choose to age-in-place. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’ s Executive Directive No. 17, Purposeful Aging LA, has committed the City to more carefully think about the needs of older adults as the City considers building and maintaining its infrastructure, and the directive includes transportation safety as a core component.
The Safe Routes to School Action Plan and Vision Zero Action Plan contain more information about this program as well as other actions we are taking to protect our youth.
4 Mortality in Los Angeles County 2012: Leading Causes of Death and Premature Death with Trends for 2003 – 2012( Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, August 2015).
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