Mayor Wilson signs executive order to accelerate street safety projects as Seattle falls short on Vision Zero

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson announced a new executive order Friday aimed at making Seattle’s streets safer for everyone who walks, bikes, drives, or takes transit.

Speaking near Cleveland High School, Wilson underscored that traffic safety is a core part of public safety and family life in Seattle.

“As mayor and as the mom of a young child, making Seattle a safe and welcoming place for families and for every resident is deeply important to me,” Wilson said.

Despite the city’s decade-long commitment to Vision Zero, a goal of eliminating serious injuries and traffic fatalities by 2030, Seattle is currently not on track to meet its targets. Wilson pointed to the continued toll of serious crashes, memorials on streets, and grieving families as evidence that more decisive action is needed.

Order targets high-crash corridors, accelerates bike lane and safety projects

The executive order directs the city to improve how streets are designed and operated, with a focus on safer speeds, better crossings, and improved visibility. Existing safety projects will also be accelerated, including the Southwest Wildwood Place protected bike lane and the 12th Avenue South Safety Project Phase 2.

Along high-crash corridors, where data shows an outsized share of serious collisions, the order advances upgrades. Additionally, it strengthens how the city manages its vehicle fleet and safety enforcement, ensuring that city vehicles and enforcement tools support safer behavior on the streets.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson signs an executive order on safer streets. (Photo: James Lynch, KIRO Newsradio)

Mayor Wilson says keeping people safe ‘requires all of us working together’

Wilson emphasized that one department alone cannot solve the problem. The order is designed to deepen collaboration across the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), Seattle Fire Department, Seattle Police Department, Seattle City Council offices, schools, and community advocates.

“SDOT designs, builds, and operates our streets, but our fire and police departments see firsthand the consequences when serious crashes happen,” Wilson said. “Our council members, schools, community advocates, and residents all bring essential perspectives about where improvements are needed and how people experience our streets. Keeping people safe requires all of us working together.”

Administration aims to accelerate safety improvements in every neighborhood

By accelerating projects already underway and expanding tools to manage speed and crossing safety, the administration aims to move faster toward streets that are safer in every neighborhood.

“When we make our streets safer for young people and families, we make them safer for everyone,” Wilson said. “This executive order is about honoring the voices of this community and communities across Seattle who’ve been saying the same thing for years: we know what works; now we have to do it faster.”

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