Torrington identifies 65 high injury locations to improve public safety

The Torrington City Council meeting on July 19, 2025, focused on the final presentation of the SS4A Traffic Safety Action Plan, highlighting critical discussions about traffic safety in the city. The meeting revealed significant findings from a public survey that identified areas where residents feel unsafe, which were combined with crash data to create a high injury network for Torrington.

The analysis identified 65 locations, including 22 roadway segments and 43 intersections, where safety improvements are needed. The high injury network map showed clusters of concern around downtown Torrington and areas near Target and BJ's on East Main Street. This data underscores the importance of public input, as residents' feelings of unsafety can influence their travel behavior, potentially reducing crash numbers but not necessarily improving safety.

Additionally, the presentation included insights from the Connecticut Justice Screening Tool, which examined socioeconomic factors in the community. It was noted that four census tracts in Torrington, primarily located in the downtown area, experience higher burdens related to low income and education. Alarmingly, these areas accounted for 41 percent of injury crashes and seven out of twenty fatalities.

The meeting emphasized the need for targeted investments in traffic safety to maximize benefits for the community. The findings will guide future planning and resource allocation to enhance safety measures in Torrington.