Pierce County is creating a Vision Zero Action Plan (VIZO) with the goal of attaining zero fatalities and serious injuries among all modes of transportation in unincorporated Pierce County by 2035. Public input on traffic safety in Pierce County is being collected to assist in plan development.
The Vision Zero Action Plan is a data-driven effort that will identify strategies and actions addressing the root causes of fatal and serious injury collisions Learn more about the project by watching this short video.
Individuals who travel on Pierce County roads are asked to share their opinions about traffic safety in Pierce County by visiting www.PierceCountyWa.gov/VisionZero and taking the short survey.
Public engagement efforts will be ongoing throughout the project duration, with a concentrated outreach effort scheduled until early August 2024. As part of the outreach efforts, Pierce County encourages residents to engage through various channels:
- Vision Zero Webpage: Visit www.PierceCountyWa.gov/VisionZero to access the latest project information, participate in the online survey, learn about upcoming events, request presentations for community groups, sign up for newsletters, and access additional resources.
- Vision Zero Survey
- Social Media: Follow PPW Facebook and Pierce County Instagram
- Community Group/Organization Outreach: Community groups and organizations interested in a presentation or providing feedback are encouraged to reach out for more information at visionzero@piercecountywa.gov.
- In-Person Engagement: Pierce County is participating in various local events across the region, including farmers markets, community centers, and many more. Visit our project webpage for detailed information and to discover the full list of upcoming events that Pierce County will attend.
I compliment all who have initiated and are supporting Pierce County’s Vision Zero Action Plan project.
During 25 years of my 62 years in Pierce County, I had responsibility for investigating the injury and death of vehicle occupants, pedestrians, bike riders, and citizens hit in crosswalks.
Based on my experience and observations, it is my opinion that Pierce County can succeed in promoting zero injuries and fatalities by taking the following actions:
CONNECT BEHAVIOR TO CONSEQUENCES:
1) When soft on crime judges and prosecutors are identified, vote them out. Bring in judges that subscribe to TV’s classic cop, Beretta who said, “If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime.”
DUI:
1) First DUI – 1 year in jail.
2) Second DUI – Confiscate and sell the violator’s vehicle followed by donating the proceeds to safety programs. 2 years in jail.
3) Third DUI – Confiscate vehicle. 10 years in jail.
4) Fourth DUI – Confiscate vehicle. 10 years in jail.
When we keep scofflaws in jail, they can’t drink, drive, and kill.
Make it well known that the cost-benefit of DUI is just not worth it.
Quit recycling DUI arrestees back on the road with release on their own recognisane, no bail, or light bail. Let them sleep it off for the night in jail where they can’t hurt anyone.
FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY (FTC):
1) Issue an expensive zero-tolerance traffic ticket for following too closely (FTC). If we eliminate FTC, we will save significant numbers of lives and prevent injuries. The old excuse, “He stopped for no reason at all”, is stupid and ignorant. If you do not drive FTC, it matters not what the driver in front does. You can react in time to keep everyone safe.
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT:
1) Ad enough police officers to generate consequences for violating traffic laws.
ZERO TOLLERANCE:
1) If the word gets out that Pierce County is a zero tollerance county, huge numbers of potential violators will drive savely to avoid the consequences.
I made a huge impact on two locations that come to mind during my time. One was Nyanza Road SW. Drivers coming off the I-5 Freeway at 70 mph would continue their speed on Nyanza. After a while they learned that Joe the cop was out their again an all the time making 35 mph their best choice. They were clear on the consequences for speeding.
Another was South Prairie Road.
A citizen complained to my supervisor that I was always out on South Prairie Road enforcing the 25 mph sped zone. He complained that I had given him a traffic ticket as I had given a ticket to his wife and finally to his son. A family that tickets together, stays together. I would have thought the family could have gathered together for a meal and warned each other to not speed on South Prairie or they would get a ticket (consequences). Oh, the family did quit speeding on South Prairie after 3 tickets were issued to the household.
DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED (DWLS):
1) Book all DWLS drivers into jail. Confiscate and sell their vehicle sending the proceeds to traffic safety programs.
GUNS USED IN VIOENT CRIME:
1) Incarcerate criminals long term who use firearms in violent crimes and armed robbery. Guns do not hurt anyone. Criminals with guns hurt and kill everyday.
2) Incarcerate criminals who are illegally in possession of firearms even if they are not committing a crime at the time of police contact;
I could go on for various crimes, but I think you get my idea.
I realize many will think I am too extreme, but there should be no argument that my plan related to consequences will save lives and prevent injury.
Anyone supporting the existing plan will have blood on their hands for the death and destruction that occurs to innocent citizens because of an ineffective soft on crime response.
In closing, I will admit that I have consumed enough alcohol on occasion to be arrested for DUI, but the police could never catch me or arrest me. Why? Because when I knew I was going to partake in some tasty adult beverage, I always had a designated driver or I used Uber to move to and from the Harbor Lights Restaurant where I would dine and drink with an old pal.
Alcohol, yes. Steering wheel, no. Not wanting to suffer the consequences kept me out of trouble. It is such an easy concept that was taught to me by my father as I was growing up.
Joseph Boyle