Full Notification

Vision Zero - 2018 Traffic Enforcement and Goals

The Morgan Hill Police Department will be increasing traffic enforcement efforts in an attempt to reduce injury collisions in 2018. For the past several years there has been an increase in reportable injury collisions within the City of Morgan Hill. Increased commuter traffic has contributed to the collision increases. Effective immediately, the MHPD traffic team and members of the patrol division will be conducting proactive traffic enforcement during peak commute hours. The mission of the officers is to educate motorists on the importance of traffic safety and to enforce traffic laws when necessary. Enforcement efforts will be conducted throughout the city during the morning and afternoon commute hours. The primary focus of this program is to reduce injury collisions and increase the safety of our community. The Morgan Hill Police Department would like to remind everyone to reduce their speed, watch for pedestrians and bicyclists, utilize hands-free communication devices and wear their safety belts while driving in town.

The Morgan Hill City Council, just last night, adopted the Vision Zero Concept and will begin implementation immediately. The elimination of traffic related injuries and deaths is our primary goal.

The Vision Zero philosophy aligns with the City’s vision by implementing safeguards to be included in the many plans, projects, and policies related to the community’s transportation system with the goal of eliminating traffic deaths and severe injuries.

By adopting Vision Zero, Morgan Hill is making a commitment to the Vision Zero principles that prioritize safety, create livable streets, and eliminate traffic fatalities.
The core principles that guide Vision Zero are:
1) Traffic deaths are preventable and unacceptable.
2) Human life takes priority over mobility and other objectives of the road system. The street system should be safe for all users, for all modes of transportation, in all communities, and for people of all ages and abilities.
3) Human error is inevitable and unpredictable; the transportation system should be designed to anticipate error so the consequence is not severe injury or death.
4) People are inherently vulnerable and speed is a fundamental predictor of crash survival. The transportation system should be designed for speeds that protect human life.
5) Safe human behaviors, education, and enforcement are essential contributors to a safe system.
6) Policies at all levels of government need to align with making safety the highest priority for roadways.

Anyone that may have questions related to this program is encouraged to contact Sergeant Bill Norman at (669) 253-4982 or the anonymous tip line 408-947-STOP (7867).