County Executive’s Message

Suffolk County, with a growing population of more than 1.5 million residents, has been the scene of too many tragic traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Each has shaken our community, shattered lives and created a desperate need for a solution. Between 2017 and 2021, 546 people have died while walking, bicycling, riding a motorcycle or driving in Suffolk County - more than any other County in New York State during the same time period. These victims are our family members, our friends and our neighbors.

Public Safety is the highest responsibility of a County Executive, which is why I am committed to a new Vision Zero Plan for Suffolk County. Our ultimate goal: Zero traffic-related deaths and serious injuries on County roadways by 2035.

Vision Zero is a multi-national road traffic safety program that aims to achieve a roadway system with ZERO fatalities or serious injuries. It is a change from the traditional cost-benefit or economic based models used to measure acceptable risks from traffic crashes.

We need to make Suffolk County’s streets and transportation facilities safe for everyone – no matter where they live in the County, and no matter their choice to walk, bike, drive or take transit. Every traffic death and serious injury is unacceptable and preventable, and safety must be the most important consideration for every County Roadway.

The Suffolk County Vision Zero plan will represent significant collaboration with all levels of government including County agencies, State partners, Towns, Villages, Community Organizations and Suffolk County residents.

The key components for the Suffolk County Vision Zero Action Plan focus on four priority areas:

• Leadership and Commitment;
• Equity and Engagement;
• Safe Roadways and Safe Speeds;
• Data-Driven Approach, Transparency, and Accountability.

These actions will accelerate the projects, policies and programs to move more people, more safely and more efficiently. Investing in traffic safety makes our communities safer, more equitable, and accessible—and puts more opportunities within reach of residents in every neighborhood. Suffolk County is committed to reducing traffic deaths and severe injuries—and will work urgently to achieve this goal.

Welcome to Vision Zero!

Suffolk County is proud to participate in the Vision Zero initiative. We are dedicated to creating safer and more sustainable roadways for all users. Our goal is simple: zero fatalities and serious injuries on our roads. We believe that every life is valuable, and no loss of life or serious injury is acceptable.

What is Vision Zero?

Vision Zero is a global initiative that originated in Sweden and has been adopted by cities and countries around the world. It is a comprehensive approach to road safety that focuses on designing and managing road systems to prioritize human life and well-being. Vision Zero recognizes that human error is inevitable, and therefore, it aims to create forgiving road environments that can accommodate mistakes without resulting in severe consequences.

Our Principles:

1. Safety as the Top Priority: Our primary goal is to protect human life and health. We prioritize safety above all else and believe that no one should suffer death or severe injury due to transportation.
2. Shared Responsibility: Road safety is a collective responsibility that involves government agencies, transportation planners, law enforcement, businesses, community organizations, and individuals. We encourage collaboration and cooperation to achieve safer streets.
3. Systematic Approach: Vision Zero takes a systematic approach to road safety. We believe that preventing traffic fatalities and injuries requires analyzing the entire road system, including infrastructure, policies, education, enforcement, and evaluation.
4. Equity and Social Justice: We strive for equitable and just outcomes in transportation, aiming to eliminate disparities and address the needs of vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, children, older adults, and people with disabilities.
5. Data-Driven Decision Making: We rely on accurate and up-to-date data to identify high-risk areas and inform targeted interventions. Data analysis helps us understand the root causes of crashes and prioritize effective solutions.

Key Strategies:

1. Safe Streets Design: We advocate for street designs that prioritize the safety of all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. This involves traffic calming measures, separated bike lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, and improved visibility.
2. Speed Management: Speed is a significant factor in the severity of crashes. We work to reduce speed limits in areas with high pedestrian and cyclist activity and promote traffic calming techniques to encourage responsible driving.
3. Education and Awareness: We believe in educating the public about safe road behaviors, promoting awareness campaigns, and providing resources to improve road user knowledge and skills.
4. Enforcement and Legislation: We support strong enforcement of traffic laws to deter dangerous driving behaviors. We work closely with law enforcement agencies to target high-risk areas and ensure compliance with traffic regulations.
5. Evaluation and Continuous Improvement: We continuously evaluate the effectiveness of our interventions and adjust our strategies accordingly. We collaborate with local communities, stakeholders, and experts to gather feedback and make data-driven improvements.

Join Us:

Vision Zero is a movement that requires the collective effort of individuals, communities, and organizations. We invite you to join us in advocating for safer streets, spreading awareness, and supporting initiatives that prioritize human life and well-being on our roads.

Vision Zero Resources

New York City Vision Zero

Learn about Vision Zero Network Recognition

Steps citizens can take to aid in the VZ effort:

• Take a defensive driver class
• Sign up for Uber or Lyft so they'll have an easy alternative when out having drinks
• Click on the link to our bus system Suffolk County Transit https://www.sct-bus.org/ to compare your options using public transport and other modes.
• Pay attention at stop signs and red lights to see if they (and other drivers) really came to a full stop
• Educate yourself and others that on a 6 mile drive the difference between averaging 30mph and 40mph is only 3 minutes saved so leave a few minutes earlier and be safer
• Educate yourself and others that if you hit a pedestrian at 20mph most (87%) will live without severe injuries but at 40mph most (73%) will die or be severely injured.
• Evaluate and see what trips you can use active transportation and leave the vehicle at home (walking, bicycling or walk/bike to transit).

Program Resources