Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) is developing a regional initiative called Vision Zero aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by changing the road designs and systems to ensure safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. This strategy was born in Sweden in the 90s and has since been successfully adopted and implemented across the globe. 

GPCOG is working to bring this strategy to the region by hosting four in-person public workshops in November.  On November 30, 2022, a workshop will be held from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the South Portland City Hall for Cape Elizabeth and neighboring communities.  Residents of Cape Elizabeth, South Portland, and Portland are invited to attend and help identify roads, intersections, and crosswalks where they feel unsafe.  Free pizza and more will be provided.  To reserve a spot for this event, please register here.

According to GPCOG literature, "Every year in the United States more than 42,000 people die in traffic crashes.  Bycyclists and pedestrians are disproportionally harmed.  In 2021, 156 were killed and 710 people were seriously injured on Maine's roadways."

GPCOG also provides a SURVEY OPTION where users can mark specific locations that feel unsafe by using their "hazard reporter" technology included in the survey.

Below is a Vision Zero video published on YouTube: