Local Governments Must Adopt Vision Zero as Official Policy to Eliminate Traffic Fatalities and Severe Injuries

What Is Vision Zero?
Vision Zero is a transformative road safety strategy that aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while promoting safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. Originating in Sweden in the 1990s, Vision Zero has been successfully adopted by cities across the U.S., including New York, Portland, and Austin.

Unlike traditional approaches that treat traffic deaths as inevitable, Vision Zero recognizes that human error is inevitable—but death and serious injury are not. It calls for systemic changes in road design, speed management, enforcement, and public engagement to create a transportation system where mistakes do not result in tragedy.

Why We’re Petitioning
Every year, lives are lost or forever changed on our roads. These are not just statistics—they are our neighbors, friends, and family members. We believe that Southern New Mexico deserves a proactive, compassionate, and data-driven approach to traffic safety.

By adopting Vision Zero, our local governments will:

• Set a clear goal of zero traffic deaths and serious injuries
• Prioritize safety in transportation planning and infrastructure
• Collaborate across public health, law enforcement, planning, and engineering sectors
• Engage the community in shaping safer streets for all

We, the Undersigned, Urge Our Local Governments to:

• Formally adopt Vision Zero as policy in Las Cruces, Doña Ana County, and Mesilla with the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities by 2040
• Establish a Vision Zero Task Force to develop a local action plan
• Commit to measurable goals and transparent progress reporting
• Invest in infrastructure and programs that protect vulnerable road users—especially pedestrians, cyclists, and children

Together, we can build a future where no one has to fear losing a loved one in a preventable crash. Let’s make Southern New Mexico a leader in safe, equitable mobility.

Please sign to show your support.