Traffic Deaths Rise on Charlotte Roads, Report Finds as Safety Concerns Grow

A worrying situation is developing on the roads of Charlotte, North Carolina. Recent data shows that traffic-related deaths and serious injuries are on the rise, despite the city's goal of reducing fatalities to zero by 2030.

The city's Vision Zero plan, launched in 2019, aims to create completely safe streets. But according to the latest report (data from July 2024 to June 2025), 81 people died last year and 111 suffered serious injuries. While the total number of crashes has decreased slightly, fatal and serious crashes have increased. This figure is the highest since 2021, with the highest number of serious injuries.

What are the main causes of these accidents? The report states that speeding and reckless driving (64%) are the top causes. Negligence, such as distracted driving on the phone or not wearing a seatbelt, is also on the rise. Crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists account for only 1.5% of all accidents, but account for 29% of deaths and serious injuries. Most serious accidents occur on major city roads, known as the "high-injury network"—they comprise only 13% of the roads, but account for 80% of fatal accidents.

The city administration has taken some steps, such as improving crossings at 39 locations, installing 521 new streetlights, building 8 miles of new pedestrian and bicycle paths, and lowering speed limits in many areas. Voters recently approved a 1% sales tax increase, which will provide billions of dollars for road and sidewalk improvements in the coming years. However, many local organizations and council members say the changes are too slow. They are demanding immediate action on high-injury roads—such as reducing lanes, adding buffers, or re-marking roads to make room for bicycles and pedestrians.

A local activist said, "These aren't just statistics—these are people, families, whose lives have been changed forever." City leaders are recognizing this as a serious crisis and will soon discuss further Vision Zero.

Everyone wants safe roads—whether drivers, pedestrians, or cyclists. But this requires more than just rules, but also road design, strict enforcement, and awareness. We urge drivers to slow down, put away their phones, wear their seat belts, and remain vigilant at all times. Only then will we be able to prevent such tragic incidents.