On Wednesday a five-year-old boy lost his life near Lola and Presland, in Overbrook. He was no match for the dump truck that struck him.
A lot of families with young kids live in that neighbourhood. Kids will walk or bike to the local park.
Now construction has meant heavy trucks driving in the area. This shouldn’t matter though. Collisions like this can be prevented. Without knowing all the details in this case, there are some changes that are regularly recommended after deaths like these: people outside trucks directing the truck and local traffic; more separated pathways; better driver training; mirrors or other modifications to large trucks.
When will we finally commit to Vision Zero? Other cities have done it: Helsinki, Oslo. With political will, we can do it too.
Our heartfelt condolences go to the family of this young boy.