The Charlotte Department of Transportation Strives to Improve Safety
Published on January 25, 2024
All activities and programs led by CDOT share one ultimate objective – to improve safety. CDOT is committed to providing safe and efficient transportation systems that support economic vitality and quality of life for Charlotte residents and visitors.
The City of Charlotte has adopted Vision Zero as one of our programs to keep safety at the forefront of all that we do. Across the globe, Vision Zero, a strategy to eliminate all traffic-related deaths and severe injuries, is saving and protecting lives while increasing safety, health and mobility for all.
World Day of Remembrance
City leaders, partners and community members gather annually to observe World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. The event remembers all the victims of road traffic accidents and recognizes the global and local efforts to reduce road casualties.
Even one traffic-related death is too many, which is why the City of Charlotte is committed to establishing safe streets in our community. The city is a proud participant in Vision Zero, a global action plan designed to reduce crashes and eliminate traffic-related deaths and severe injuries by 2030. You can participate by taking the pledge to travel safely.
Leading Pedestrian Intervals
The Charlotte Department of Transportation has been striving to make the City more pedestrian friendly. One way the City has been doing this is to install Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI). The LPI is a traffic signal operation that gives pedestrians a walk signal before vehicle traffic traveling parallel to the pedestrians gets a green signal, and typically is 3-10 seconds in duration. LPIs improve the pedestrian walking experience and has been shown to reduce crashes between vehicles and pedestrians by as much as 60% at treated intersections, thereby encouraging people to use walking as their mode of travel.
The City has also taken LPIs to the next level with the “LPI+”, which uses right turn flashing yellow arrow signals to hold only right turning traffic during the LPI, and not through-traffic. This minimizes the impacts of LPIs on vehicle delays and, in some cases, allows the LPI duration to be extended to cover the full walk and flashing don’t walk periods. The City currently has 258 intersections with LPIs.
Safety Tips
Pedestrians and bicyclists are the most vulnerable users of our roadways. All of us, no matter how we choose to travel, share in a responsibility to keep pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists safe.
Between 2019 and 2023, in Charlotte 334 people lost their lives due to traffic crashes. These incidents can be avoided! The Charlotte Department of Transportation is working hard to providing a safe, accessible environment for all pedestrians. Here are some things you can do to help.
When you're driving...
- Always watch for pedestrians
- Obey the speed limit
- Don't have your head buried in your cell phone while you're driving
- You simply can't drive safely and text at the same time
- Driver inattention or distracted driving was a contributing factor in over 22% of crashes in Charlotte last year. That's roughly the same as alcohol, drug use, aggressive driving, running stop lights, and speeding combined. No text, tweet or call is worth someone's life.
When you're walking...
- Cross at crosswalks and traffic signals
- Look both ways before crossing any street
- Don't assume drivers are going to stop for you. Make sure they see you before you start tot cross the street
- Walk on the sidewalk. If there isn't a sidewalk, walk on the road shoulder facing oncoming traffic
- Distracted walking is also a problem. If you're texting someone while you're crossing the street, you can't see what's happening around you
- Do everything you can to see and be seen. Wear bright colors at night
Safety During Inclement Weather
Residents are encouraged to report hazardous conditions to the City’s 311 system during normal business hours. Please dial 311 to report conditions that could result in collisions or property damage. After-hours during snow and ice events the Street Maintenance Division maintains dispatchers to direct emergency crews for hazardous conditions. Street Maintenance Dispatch can be reached at 704.336.3200.
Emergency Plan for Ice and Snow 2023-2024(PDF, 592KB)
CDOT Salt & Brine Truck Safety Facts Video
CDOT Salt Deployment Quick Facts Video