HARTFORD, Conn. — The Connecticut Department of Transportation has launched the Vision Zero Council, which has the goal of making the roads safer for all.
The council was formed after close to 400 people were killed on state roadways in 2022, the deadliest year on Connecticut roadways in decades. Around 1,500 people were seriously injured in 2022.
And this year already, dozens have been killed on Connecticut roadways.
"It's just an unacceptable number many of these crashes are related to impairment, distraction, speeding; many can be preventable," said Josh Morgan, the Spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
The Vision Zero Council creates policies to improve road safety, which in turn would reduce injuries and road fatalities. The new policies would increase safety or even change the design of certain roads to improve safety.
"We are the first state in the nation to have a cross-group like this to address this," said Garrett Eucalitto, the council chair.
This is the council's first meeting of 2023. One proposal under consideration is lowering the blood alcohol concentration limit from .08 to .05.
Eucalitto said the state has come a long way but there's still more to be done.
The meetings are open for drivers to listen in, but officials are encouraging drivers to play an active role in creating change.
"They are people who care about this topic and impacted and get engaged in the subcommittees," said Eucalitto.
All Vision Zero Council meetings are recorded. Information can be found here.
Lindsey Kane is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at Lkane@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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