Rockford mayor establishes task force to to reduce pedestrian deaths

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Four pedestrians have been killed in fatal crashes already this year. Rockford has averaged 22 traffic-related deaths per year for the past decade. Now, Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara has announced the formation of a Pedestrian Safety Task Force to reduce the number of lives lost.

“Over the last ten years, we are averaging losing six pedestrians to traffic accidents each year of losing their lives. We’re also averaging 16 fatal car accidents each year. It’s 22 lives. That’s just far too many,” McNamara said.

In April, 48-year-old Alan Varla was killed at the intersection of North Second and Auburn.

Gregory Coleman, 66, was hit by a pickup on February 5th at E. State and Summit. He later died from his injuries.

Martavion Howard, 32, was killed in a hit-and-run crash on the Auburn Street Bridge in January.

Michelle Jones, 56, was killed on West State and North Springfield, also in January.

The Mayor has ordered the creation of a task force to bring ideas to the table to help improve pedestrian safety.

The task force is expected to be made up of first responders, citizens, and engineers.

“It takes all of us. It takes those who are doing the activity, walking and biking, to be cognizant, follow the rules that are set out for pedestrians and cyclists. But it also takes the drivers, also takes us at the city, to ensure that we’re enforcing [laws and] improving infrastructure,” he said.

McNamara said the issue is not related to any specific section of the city.

“This is not a downtown issue. This is a city-wide issue. Honestly, if you’re looking across the entire state, if you’re looking across the country, it’s a countrywide issue. We are seeing pedestrian and cycling fatalities increase in many areas,” he said.

“We know we’re not going to go from averaging 22 a year, for ten years, to zero. So we know that we need to have that reduced,” McNamara said. “So, anything below 22 is positive. The last thing someone thinks is they’re going out for a bike ride, biking to work, whatever it may be, they shouldn’t have to worry, are they going to make it there alive.”

McNamara said that since he announced the task force, a number of residents have reached out with feedback. He said he hopes to have it up and running within 90 days.