Art is all around us. It is something that we often admire and enjoy as a visual addition to our world. However, until now, there has not been tremendous support for “asphalt art” , that is, colorful art that is painted on streets as non-traditional markings to encourage drivers to drive cautiously.
A new study, by Bloomberg Philanthropies, reveals that “asphalt art” may be one way to help avoid Connecticut auto accidents. The results from the study actually report that this type of artwork can have a net positive impact on safety in and around cities where it is used regularly.
Some of the results from the study, which looked at 17 intersections that did not have any previous traffic calming measures in place, include;
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Crashes that involved motorists and other vulnerable people who were using the road fell an incredibly dramatic 50%
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Accidents that resulted in injury were down 37%
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The number of accidents that occurred overall decreased by 17%
These staggering statistics are enough to continue to consider asphalt art as part of a traffic calming strategy, however the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices has recommended that the practice be banned entirely claiming that the evidence is not strong enough of the benefit of this type of artwork and that the risks may outweigh the benefits. Others who are in favor of this type of artwork to improve public safety say that while there is more research to be done, the cost of this type of transportation calming measure is significantly lower than other measures.
Whichever side of the colorfully decorated street you are standing on, the study by Bloomberg is certainly worth noting and more research should be conducted on the benefits of “asphalt art” on the reduction of auto accidents, especially on those involving vulnerable populations. If an art installation can reduce the number of Connecticut auto accidents at a low cost, it just may be worth installing.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, whether it be at an intersection with an art installation or not, you may need to seek the assistance of an attorney. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will review your case and work with you to ensure that your long-term interests are met.
