An audit of a long-running government initiative to reduce traffic deaths in Los Angeles is failing, according to an audit.
Vision Zero, a plan implemented in L.A. in 2015 by then-Mayor Eric Garcetti, had a lofty goal of eliminating traffic deaths by 2025 by educating people about the potential dangers on the roadways and cooperating with agencies to engineer safer streets.
During the first two years of Vision Zero’s implementation in L.A., total traffic deaths to drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians were 245 and 241. In 2022 and 2023, they were 368 and 333. Preliminary data from 2024 shows that they were well over 300.
That data comes from the LAPD through KPMG, which partnered with the city of L.A. to audit the implementation of Vision Zero, which is used in more than 50 cities across the world to prevent traffic deaths.
The reason why is hasn’t worked in L.A.? A lack of commitment from leadership, according to KPMG.
The auditing firm listed the following conclusions for why Vision Zero isn’t working as well in L.A. as in other cities:
- Lack of clear governance of this citywide program and priorities between the different stakeholders that were not always in alignment.
- Tools to monitor and manage the program were not implemented, impacting transparency
and justification for departmental budget requests. - Lack of a balanced approach as funding was allocated mainly for engineering activities,
with minimal funding towards education, enforcement and evaluation - A decline in participation of key stakeholders.
Vision Zero’s budget has hovered at around $36 million per year over the last three fiscal years.
As for the future of the program, it’s not going away, according to the office of Mayor Karen Bass. Rather, it will be reworked to be more efficient, Bass’ office says.
