Council effort to write Vision Zero into Seattle law taking shape with speed limits, trash truck side guards, and faster action on deadly crashes

Efforts will move forward Tuesday afternoon at the city council under the Seattle SAFER Streets Act, a legislative package to update the city’s Municipal Code to adopt the Seattle Department of Transportation Vision Zero Action Plan as the city’s official guide, and require the “Safe System Approach” to guide arterial speed limits, infrastructure planning, and intersection reviews.

CHS reported on the act last month as it was introduced by Councilmember Rob Saka who chairs the council’s transportation committee.

The complicated legislative push has come as Mayor Katie Wilson has accelerated SDOT construction projects already in the pipeline with her executive order streamlining Vision Zero pedestrian safety work. The executive order directs the Seattle Department of Transportation to fast-track high-priority safety improvements across high-crash corridors. Key measures include completing the SW Wildwood Place protected bike lane by late 2026, advancing Phase 2 of the 12th Ave S Safety Project, increasing intersection visibility through daylighting, and upgrading 19 high-collision locations along major routes like Aurora Ave N and Rainier Ave S.

Saka’s legislative package, meanwhile, is hoped to start moving forward Tuesday afternoon as three ordinances will be discussed by his committee and open for proposed amendments this week before a planned formal introduction of the legislation next week with hopes of possible committee votes on the 17th.

The three ordinances rolling forward under the act include a Traffic Safety Ordinance (PDF) that amends various sections of the Seattle Municipal Code regarding roadway planning, operations, reporting, and maintenance, a Traffic Safety Position Responsibilities Ordinance (PDF) that is hoped to strengthen the authority of the City Traffic Engineer, and an ordinance (PDF) that would guide city contractors in the use of side-impact safety guards after several deadly crash incidents in the city including the June tragedy at 12th and Yesler that took the life of 30-year-old Christian Salyer.

Included in the Traffic Safety Ordinance would be evaluation of SDOT’s Fatal Crash Response Policy and weighing stricter response models, including at least one that requires an initial review within 72 hours and remediation of dangerous factors identified in the review within 14 days.