In 2016, the Oakland Department of Transportion (OakDOT) set a Vision Zero goal, based on "the principle that there is no acceptable number of traffic deaths on city streets and that crashes, injuries and fatalities are preventable." Their 3-year benchmark was to "reduce traffic fatalities in Oakland by 15% from 2016 levels".
Since setting the Vision Zero goal, traffic violence deaths have increased in Oakland. Instead of a 15% reduction in deaths, the 3 years following 2016 saw a 13% increase in the number of deaths. By 2022 there was a 73% increase in deaths over 2016. Progress towards the Vision Zero goal has been nonexistent or way too slow. Oakland needs safe streets now.