YOUTH AND OLDER ADULTS
Our City ’ s future is tied to our youth : They ’ re tomorrow ’ s thinkers , leaders , and problem-solvers . Unfortunately , traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for children between ages 5 and 14 in the Los Angeles County . 4 The City ’ s Safe Routes to School Initiative recently implemented 11 Safety Zones that dictate a speed limit of 15 miles per hour when children are present .
Older adults in Los Angeles are also particularly at risk , making up a disproportionate share of traffic deaths . Contrary to popular belief , these deaths are not a result of poor driving skills ; in fact , only a small ( and decreasing ) share of fatalities occurred while the person was driving . Rather , older adults are far more likely to be killed while walking because of the errant driving behavior of others . Two-thirds of those killed in 2009 – 2013 were walking .
As Los Angeles ’ s older adult population continues to grow , it is increasingly important to reverse these trends , especially as more people choose to age-in-place . Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti ’ s Executive Directive No . 17 , Purposeful Aging LA , has committed the City to more carefully think about the needs of older adults as the City considers building and maintaining its infrastructure , and the directive includes transportation safety as a core component .
The Safe Routes to School Action Plan and Vision Zero Action Plan contain more information about this program as well as other actions we are taking to protect our youth .
4 Mortality in Los Angeles County 2012 : Leading Causes of Death and Premature Death with Trends for 2003 – 2012 ( Los Angeles : Los Angeles County Department of Public Health , August 2015 ).
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