West Hartford Residents Advocate for Vision Zero Resolution, Approved by Town Council

West Hartford residents Kelly Hamann-Book (left) and Mary Donegan (right) both spoke out in favor of the Vision Zero resolution, which the Town Council approved at its January 10th meeting. Images: WHCI

West Hartford residents spoke out in favor of the Vision Zero resolution that the Town Council approved on January 10th, 2023. Read news coverage by Michael Walsh for CT Insider and Ronni Newton for We-Ha.com.

Last month, Kelly Hamann-Book was hit by a driver on South Main Street, who broke both of her legs, two vertebrae, and caused traumatic brain injury. She said: “While my injuries might not have been life-threatening, they’re definitely life-altering. It’s really important to recognize that we live in a town right now where people don’t feel safe.” Watch Hamann-Book’s testimony on YouTube.

Mary Donegan, a faculty member in urban and community studies at UConn and board member of Bike West Hartford, explained our organization’s position: “We are therefore asking the town to focus the majority of its energy on engineering and engagement… We do not want another plan that will sit on a shelf. We want a plan that will include goals with corresponding action items. The research behind interventions like these has been done and is clear. They save lives. They make quality of life better for everyone, including people in cars.” Watch Donegan’s testimony on YouTube.

Mary Donegan’s testimony begins at 1:11 and Kelly Hamann-Book’s testimony begins at 1:17 in this YouTube video.

Read the three-page Vision Zero resolution that was proposed by Mayor Shari Cantor and approved by Town Council.