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BPAC discusses rise in pedestrian deaths linked to larger vehicles, asks police to present data
Summary
Commissioners reviewed national analysis showing increases in pedestrian fatalities tied to larger SUVs and pickups, discussed local high‑crash intersections and asked Urbana police to present monthly or periodic crash/near‑miss data about targeted locations.
Commissioners on July 21 discussed the growing safety concern posed by larger vehicles and explored how city enforcement and engineering might respond.
The chair showed materials from a national analysis on rising pedestrian fatalities linked to increasing prevalence and size of SUVs and pickups, highlighting taller hoods, wider A‑pillars and larger blind zones that make pedestrians harder to see in crosswalks. "These vehicles are killing people who otherwise might have survived," the chair said while presenting the visuals, and commissioners reviewed crash counts posted by the Urbana Police Department for local intersections.
BPAC member Bruce Michelson suggested the commission explore local ordinances or guidance that address risky behaviors such as panhandling on narrow medians. Members welcomed a recent Urbana Police Department social media post and the department’s new strategic safety plan led by Officer Brad McCormack. The commission asked staff to invite the police to present on the strategic safety plan and provide more granular monthly crash or near‑miss data for high‑risk locations to help guide engineering and outreach priorities.
No enforcement actions or ordinance proposals were adopted; the directive from the meeting was to seek a police briefing and recurring data so BPAC can track trends and recommend targeted engineering or education interventions.
