Raleigh Launches Plan to Curb High Traffic Crash Rate

The city aims to cut fatal crashes by 50% by 2040 through new road safety projects and a focus on driver behaviors.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Car Types

A newly paved urban pedestrian crosswalk with elevated stone curbing and clean markings in a quiet city intersection. — Raleigh officials have introduced a comprehensive safety action plan to reduce fatal traffic accidents by fifty percent by the year 2040. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe stricter infrastructure and traffic enforcement will reduce dangerous crashes in your area?

Raleigh has launched a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan aimed at curbing its position as the city with the highest crash rate among the 50 largest U.S. cities. The initiative targets a 50% reduction in fatal and serious injury crashes by 2040 through infrastructure upgrades and behavioral changes.

Why it matters

With 185 fatal crashes and 905 serious injury accidents recorded between 2019 and 2023, the city is prioritizing safety improvements to reduce an average of 40 annual traffic deaths. The plan emphasizes that changing driver habits is essential to addressing these alarming local statistics.

Official crash data shows 71% of fatal victims in 2023 were not wearing seatbelts, while 54% of fatal crashes involved speeding. The city is currently seeking a $12.6 million federal grant to support infrastructure safety improvements.

The players

City of Raleigh

The local government body managing public infrastructure and traffic safety initiatives to reduce high crash rates.

The details

The city identifies high-injury network locations using detailed crash analysis, targeting corridors like Capital Boulevard and Glenwood Avenue. Proposed infrastructure projects include building bike lanes, implementing road diets, and adjusting signal timing. The city also plans to install 13 raised sidewalks in downtown areas, including along Saint Mary's Street, to better protect pedestrians.

2019-2023: Period during which 185 fatal and 905 serious injury crashes occurred.
2023: Year where 85% of fatal crashes involved dangerous driver behaviors.
2026-12-31
Expected date for the federal grant application response.
2028-Q1: Scheduled construction for 13 raised sidewalks.
2040: Target year for a 50% reduction in fatal and serious injury crashes.

The Home Front

Raleigh's strategy follows the city's high-injury network location identification methodology by focusing resources on specific dangerous corridors. This shift reflects a growing urban trend of using granular traffic data to guide local infrastructure investment and safety policy.

Local drivers should review personal safety habits, specifically ensuring all passengers are buckled up, as 71% of fatal crash victims were not wearing seatbelts in 2023. Families should also be aware of upcoming infrastructure changes on major corridors like Western and New Bern avenues.

The takeaway

Addressing dangerous driving behaviors like speeding and failing to wear seatbelts remains the most effective way for families to stay safe on local roads. Keep an eye on city updates regarding infrastructure construction, as road diets and new sidewalks may alter daily commute patterns.