Fayetteville leaders want public input on ways to curb accidents through the 'Safe Streets' plan

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- In response to a number of fatal crashes, Fayetteville officials have launched a new initiative to make city streets safer for everyone.

The effort, called Safe Streets for All (SS4A), comes after the city secured more than half a million dollars in grant funding. Local officials hope the plan will help curb the persistent problem of car accidents, which claimed more than 600 lives from 2019 to 2023, an average of one deadly crash every two days.

For people like Lorraine Anderson, the issue is deeply personal. Anderson lost her son, Dameion, in a wreck just four months ago. "It wasn't a day that went by that he didn't make me laugh. It's been very hard," Anderson said, recalling the morning she learned of his death after waking up to three missed calls from the hospital.

According to Anderson, Dameion's accident began when he backed into another car in a parking lot on Cliffdale Road on Jan. 2. "In a panic, he fled the scene, followed by the other driver. He then lost control of his vehicle, crossed into oncoming traffic, and collided head-on with another car, losing his life," she said.

Brian McGill, Fayetteville's assistant public services director, emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach. "The culmination of this study, this plan, is to eventually and hopefully move the city more towards less fatal, less very injury crashes so that whenever a fender bender does occur, the only thing that gets bent is the fender," McGill said.

McGill noted that the grant money could be used to add more traffic stops or improve sidewalks. He also encouraged community members to weigh in, saying their input is vital in pinpointing the most dangerous roads. "What we're finding is that a lot of the crashes occur because of driver behavior," he said.

The city is currently gathering public feedback. Residents have until June 17 to complete the survey, and the first community meeting on the SS4A initiative is set for May 18 at the Bill Crisp Senior Center.

Click on SS4A Survey to participate.

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