Durham, NC – This Sunday, the Durham community will gather to remember the 37 lives lost in road accidents since last November and renew their call for safer streets. The event, organized by Bike Durham, will take place at 2 p.m. at the POOF Teen Center as part of World Road Traffic Day.
Among the tragedies being remembered is the death of a 73-year-old man struck while trying to cross a highway in October—a somber reminder of the dangers faced by pedestrians on Durham’s roads. Advocates like Gregory Williams, Bike Durham’s Advocacy Campaign Coordinator, are pushing for urgent changes to prevent further loss of life.
“I’m disappointed with how long it’s taking to make progress,” Williams said. “No one should lose a family member or their life in a traffic accident.”
Addressing the Crisis
In the past year, eight of the fatalities involved pedestrians, and one involved a cyclist. Advocates point to successful safety measures in cities like Hoboken, NJ, as proof that Durham can reduce its traffic deaths to zero with the right infrastructure and policies.
Calls for change have already led to significant action. A $115 million bond approved by voters will fund various road and street construction projects aimed at improving safety.
“Now, we’ll be able to deliver those projects and get to work building the rest of our road network,” said Sean Egan, Durham’s Transportation Director.
Advocates Push for Faster Action
Despite the funding, Williams and other advocates argue that progress is too slow. They are urging city leaders to accelerate safety projects and extend measures like free rides on GoDurham buses, which help reduce car dependency and increase safety for non-drivers.
“A lot of people here in Durham who are victims of street violence don’t have four, five, six years to wait for the project to be delivered,” Williams said.
Sunday’s Event
The event will serve as both a memorial and a rallying cry for change. Advocates and local leaders hope it will inspire the community and policymakers to prioritize safety and implement changes more quickly.
Durham residents are invited to attend, remember the lives lost, and join the effort to make the city’s streets safer for everyone.
