West Hartford officials approve new safe driving initiative

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) - A spike in serious car accidents in West Hartford has sparked a new movement.

The push to make roads safer comes after 200 crashes occurred in West Hartford throughout the month of December. Officials say 5 of those accidents were deadly including one where 3 people died on Christmas morning.

At a meeting on Tuesday, town officials and residents met to discuss ways to make West Hartford’s roads safer. A few crash survivors attended the meeting as well to shed light on the impact these types of accidents have.

“My right leg was shattered and I had to have two surgeries. My left leg has a simple fracture. I spent the next 15 days including Hanukkah, including our youngest son’s birthday, including New Years at Hartford Hospital in the bone and joint institute.” says Kelly Haman-Book.

An initiative called Vision Zero was discussed and approved during this meeting.

Vision Zero is a nationwide initiative to eliminate severe injuries and fatalities from car accidents.

The plan includes creating a task force that will come up with a detailed plan to address speeding and distracted driving.

West Hartford’s Mayor hopes that plan can be put into action with in the next few months.

“On a personal level it’s beyond you know it’s so heart wrenching and gut punching to know that people are serious injured or at worst die in auto vehicle accidents or bicycle accident,” says Mayor Shari Cantor.

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