Vision Zero Chicago (VZC) is the commitment and approach to eliminating fatalities and serious injuries from traffic crashes.

The City of Chicago believes that even one life lost in a traffic crash is unacceptable. We all have the right to walk, bike, take public transit, and drive on streets that are safe for everyone, regardless of who we are or where we live.

Vision Zero brings together the policies, partnerships, and technologies that prevent death and serious injury from traffic crashes. Traffic crashes are not “accidents.” We acknowledge that traffic deaths are preventable and unacceptable and commit to using all available tools to influence the conditions and behaviors that lead to serious crashes.

Working together, we can eliminate traffic deaths and life-altering injuries. The Vision Zero initiative is working to build a partnership between City leadership and the public to prioritize human life and the safety of our streets. The Vision Zero Chicago Action Plan commits to reducing traffic crashes that cause death and serious injury through an equitable distribution of resources and inclusive community engagement.

Vision Zero Principles

The Vision Zero initiative is built on the following principles:

• Even one life lost in a traffic crash is unacceptable. All Chicagoans have the right to walk, bike, take public transit, and drive on streets that are safe for everyone, regardless of who they are or where they live. VZC commits to this principle by devoting resources to improve traffic safety in eight High Crash Areas (HCA) around the City—communities that experience significantly higher rates of crashes than Chicago’s average. Through Vision Zero, plans will be developed for each HCA.
• Traffic crashes are preventable. Traffic crashes are not “accidents.” VZC brings together the policies, partnerships, and technologies to influence the conditions and behaviors that lead to serious crashes and prevent fatalities.
• Traffic safety is a shared responsibility. The VZC initiative builds a partnership between City leadership and the public to prioritize human life and the safety of City streets. VZC is committed to reducing traffic crashes that cause death and serious injury through an equitable distribution of resources and inclusive community engagement.

Citywide Policies and Goals

The Vision Zero Action plan sets five citywide policies and four goals for achieving Vision Zero in Chicago:

Citywide Policies

• Approach death and serious injury from traffic crashes as a public health issue.
• Design streets so that speeds are safe for all users of the roadway.
• Lead by example on vehicle safety equipment and driver training.
• Police traffic laws fairly, focusing on education and the dangerous driving behaviors that cause most severe crashes.
• Commit to investing resources equitably.

Goals

• Invest equitably in communities that are most affected by severe traffic crashes.
• Work to change behaviors and perceptions to build a citywide culture of safety.
• Make streets safer for all users.
• Encourage and implement policies, training, and technologies that create safer vehicles and professional drivers.

Vision Zero Publications

• Vision Zero Chicago Action Plan
• High Crash Corridors Framework Plan
• Annual Report 2017-2018
• Milwaukee Avenue Report
• Vision Zero West Side High Crash Area Plan
• Vision Zero Chicago Downtown Action Plan

Vision Zero Pledge

Working together, we can eliminate traffic deaths and life-altering injuries in Chicago. Take the pledge and commit to traveling safely in the City.

Crash Data

City of Chicago crash data is available on the Chicago Data Portal.

Participating Agencies

• Office of the Mayor
• Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
• Chicago Department of Public Health
• Chicago Department of Transportation
• Chicago Fire Department
• Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
• Chicago Park District
• Chicago Police Department
• Chicago Public Schools
• Chicago Transit Authority
• Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
• Department of Fleet and Facility Management
• Department of Innovation and Technology
• Department of Planning and Development
• Office of Emergency Management and Communications

Vision Zero Advocacy Group Members

• AAA
• AARP Illinois
• Active Transportation Alliance
• American Heart Association
• Austin Coming Together
• Build Chicago
• Consortium to Lower Cholesterol in Chicago Children
• Garfield Park Community Council
• LISC Chicago
• Lurie Children's Hospital
• Metropolitan Planning Council
• North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council
• Ride Illinois
• Ride of Silence
• Streeterville Organization of Active Residents
• Skyline Village Chicago
• Team Englewood
• The Corner Project
• University of Illinois at Chicago