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Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Worcester child fatalities
2. Guest column Worcester child safety
A tragic incident in Worcester, Massachusetts, saw a 13-year-old girl named Gianna Rose Simoncini fatally struck by a driver on Belmont Street. The road’s design, a mix of high-speed lanes and local access, has been criticized for its lack of safety measures. The driver’s speed played a crucial role, with statistics showing the higher the speed, the deadlier the impact on pedestrians. This incident sheds light on the systemic neglect of pedestrian safety in our society, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure changes. Worcester’s Vision Zero initiative aims to address these issues, but faces resistance from some city council members.
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1. Worcester child deaths
2. Worcester child safety issues
This article was originally featured on “Worcester Sucks & I Love It,” an independent alternative news outlet covering Worcester, Massachusetts. Subscribe at worcestersucks.email
The Tragic Incident on Belmont Street in Worcester
A heartbreaking incident shook the community of Worcester, Massachusetts, as a 13-year-old girl, Gianna Rose Simoncini, lost her life in a pedestrian-related accident on Belmont Street on June 27. The young teenager was attempting to cross Belmont Street between Plantation Street and Lake Avenue when she was struck and killed by a driver.
Gianna’s father, Jose Diaz, shared his profound grief in a heartfelt message on GoFundMe, describing his daughter as a bright light in their lives, a source of joy, and a soul full of dreams. The sudden loss of Gianna has left her family devastated, grappling with emotions beyond words.
The Dangerous Design of Belmont Street
The tragic incident has brought attention to the design of Belmont Street, a six-lane artery that cuts through a residential neighbourhood and runs past UMass Memorial Medical Center. This road, often referred to as a “stroad,” combines the characteristics of a street and a road, featuring high-speed limits and a lack of safety measures such as traffic calming features and adequate street lighting.
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Concerns have been raised about the safety of Belmont Street, especially the half-mile distance between crosswalks where Gianna lost her life. Studies have shown that over 60 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur on stroads like Belmont Street, where the speed of traffic poses a significant risk to pedestrians.
The Deadly Impact of Speed
The speed at which vehicles travel on Belmont Street, often exceeding 40 miles per hour, significantly impacts the survivability of pedestrian accidents. Research indicates that at 20 miles per hour, 90 percent of pedestrians survive crashes, but at 40 miles per hour, the survival rate drops to only 10 percent.
These statistics highlight the urgent need to address speed limits and implement safety measures to protect vulnerable road users like pedestrians. The Governor’s Highway Safety Association reported that 7,508 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in 2022, marking the highest number since 1981.
The Concept of Social Murder
The tragic death of Gianna has sparked discussions about the concept of social murder, a term coined to describe the systemic neglect and intentional choices that lead to preventable deaths. Pedestrian fatalities are not merely accidents but the result of decisions made at various levels of government that prioritize car travel over pedestrian safety.
Efforts to improve pedestrian safety in Worcester have faced pushback from residents and city politicians, reflecting a broader societal challenge in prioritizing road design that protects all road users. The City of Worcester’s initiatives like Vision Zero aim to reduce traffic-related fatalities and injuries, but challenges remain in implementing these measures.
Call for Action
As Worcester grapples with the tragic loss of Gianna and confronts the realities of pedestrian safety, there is a growing call for action to make streets safer for everyone. Lowering speed limits, implementing traffic calming measures, and prioritizing pedestrian-friendly infrastructure are crucial steps to prevent further tragedies like the one that claimed Gianna’s life.
Individuals can support efforts to improve road safety by participating in public surveys, getting involved in community initiatives, and advocating for changes that prioritize pedestrian well-being. The time to act is now to prevent future incidents and create a safer environment for all residents of Worcester.
Greg Opperman is a software engineer and former newsroom developer at the Boston Globe. His past writing for Worcester Sucks includes pieces on Mill Street and the 2023 municipal election results. Follow him on Twitter @gopperman.
