Charlotte, NC, January 5, 2026
A recent incident in Charlotte has highlighted significant concerns about pedestrian safety in the city. A man reportedly struck two pedestrians intentionally, leading to multiple charges. The event underscores the need for improved safety measures as the city sees a slow rise in pedestrian accidents. Ongoing community initiatives, including the Vision Zero program, aim to enhance pedestrian infrastructure and reduce accidents, further emphasizing the commitment to creating safer streets for all.
Charlotte, NC – An incident on January 5, 2021, highlighted ongoing concerns regarding pedestrian safety in Charlotte when a man intentionally struck two pedestrians with a car on The Plaza near Belvedere Avenue. Authorities reported that the individual responsible is facing multiple charges following the event that occurred just before 2 p.m. in the east Charlotte area. This incident underscores the critical need for continued efforts to safeguard pedestrians in the city.
Addressing Pedestrian Safety in Charlotte
The safety of pedestrians is a significant and evolving challenge for Charlotte, North Carolina. The city experiences numerous traffic accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists annually, with numbers showing a slow but steady increase over recent years. For instance, in one recent year, there were 40 pedestrian accidents, which increased to 47 the following year. As of May 2025, six accidents involving pedestrians have already been reported, alongside five involving bicyclists. These statistics highlight pressing safety and strategic concerns for the city.
To combat the rising numbers of incidents and enhance safety for those traveling on foot or by bicycle, Charlotte has initiated several comprehensive programs. These initiatives aim not only to reduce accidents but also to promote and encourage walking and biking, which in turn can help ease traffic congestion.
Vision Zero Initiative
Central to Charlotte’s commitment to pedestrian safety is the Vision Zero initiative. This program works to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries by focusing on enhancing street lights, pedestrian crossings, and roads to create a safer environment for all users. The Vision Zero Action Plan outlines various actions across multiple program areas to improve road safety. Significant progress is being made with Vision Zero funding, including the implementation of physical markings at intersections and busy areas, as well as the addition of pavement markings and flashing yellow school zone signs near educational institutions like Joseph Grier Academy in northeast Charlotte. These measures are direct messages of caution to drivers and represent critical investments in keeping residents, especially children, safe.
Infrastructure and Design Improvements
Charlotte is actively investing in and undertaking several major projects to improve non-motorist safety and infrastructure. These include the creation of in-road bicycle infrastructure, such as dedicated bike lanes and other physical modifications to roads designed to enhance bicyclist safety. Additionally, projects involve the development of trails, pedestrian tunnels, and bridges that enable non-motorized traffic to safely cross roadways. City leaders are also focused on redesigning various intersections to improve visibility and overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
The Sidewalk Program is another crucial component of Charlotte’s efforts, supported by $50 million from bonds approved by voters in 2022. The program aims to construct new sidewalks on all arterial and collector roads where they are currently missing, with the goal of building a connected, safe, and comfortable pedestrian system. This initiative supports a sustainable, healthy, and equitable mobility option for residents and visitors. Current projects under this program include sidewalk installations on Lawyers Road, Mallard Creek Road, Margaret Wallace Road, Old Concord Road, Sardis Road North, and Tuckaseegee Road, alongside ongoing work to fill sidewalk gaps and install accessible ramps throughout the city.
Federal Funding for Safety Enhancements
Further bolstering these efforts, the City of Charlotte received a $4.47 million Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. This federal grant, established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, is specifically allocated to initiatives that prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. The SS4A grant will fund the evaluation of 22 intersections across Charlotte for upgrades and the installation of equipment proven to help reduce or eliminate pedestrian-involved crashes.
The upgrades planned under the SS4A project include:
- Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS): These devices provide nonvisual indicators for “Walk” and “Don’t Walk” intervals, offering audible cues to assist pedestrians who are blind or have low vision.
- Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI): These adjustments to traffic signals give pedestrians a few seconds to enter the crosswalk before the vehicular signal turns green, increasing pedestrian visibility for motorists.
- Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHB): These are dedicated pedestrian-activated traffic control signals, marked crosswalks, and signage for crossing at mid-block or uncontrolled intersections, providing pedestrians with the right-of-way to cross safely.
Community Engagement and Planning
Charlotte’s dedication to improving pedestrian environments is also evident through its recognition as a Silver-level Walk Friendly Community. This designation acknowledges the city’s commitment to pedestrian experiences through innovative planning, policies, and staff support. The Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) collaborates closely with community organizations to develop plans and projects aligned with city goals, dedicating significant staff time to planning, designing, and building road projects that meet transportation and safety objectives.
The city’s award-winning Charlotte WALKS pedestrian plan sets a vision for a more walkable Charlotte, establishing aggressive targets for increasing trips made on foot and creating connections with other transportation policies. Furthermore, initiatives such as the twice-annual Open Streets 704 events, which temporarily open miles of streets for car-free biking, walking, and active use, engage approximately 50,000 attendees annually, promoting active transportation and health. The city also benefits from the support of organizations like Sustain Charlotte, which actively advocates for improvements in active transportation.
A Pedestrian Crossing Committee meets monthly to evaluate requests for the installation or improvement of crossings, including representatives from the Charlotte Area Transit System, further ensuring that safety considerations are integrated into urban design. The city’s Urban Street Design Guidelines also seek to implement elements of Complete Streets, ensuring mobility for motorists while providing comfort and safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users. These guidelines enhance pedestrian safety through supportive roadway infrastructure like refuge islands and curb extensions.
While the January 5, 2021 incident serves as a reminder of the challenges, Charlotte’s ongoing and comprehensive efforts, bolstered by federal funding and community engagement, demonstrate a robust commitment to creating safer and more accessible streets for all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on January 5, 2021, in Charlotte, NC?
On January 5, 2021, a man intentionally struck two pedestrians with a car on The Plaza near Belvedere Avenue in Charlotte, NC.
What charges is the man facing?
The man responsible for the incident on January 5, 2021, is facing multiple charges.
What is Charlotte’s Vision Zero initiative?
Charlotte’s Vision Zero initiative is a program that aims to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries by enhancing street lights, pedestrian crossings, and roads to make them safer for everyone.
What is the purpose of the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant Charlotte received?
The Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant, totaling $4.47 million, was awarded to Charlotte to evaluate 22 intersections for upgrades and install equipment proven to help reduce or eliminate pedestrian-involved crashes.
What types of upgrades are being implemented with the SS4A grant?
Upgrades with the SS4A grant include Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS), Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI), and Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHB) to improve pedestrian safety and visibility.
What is the Charlotte Sidewalk Program?
The Charlotte Sidewalk Program is an initiative, supported by $50 million from bonds, to construct new sidewalks on all arterial and collector roads with missing sidewalks to build a connected, safe, and comfortable pedestrian system.
Key Features of Charlotte’s Pedestrian Safety Efforts
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Vision Zero Initiative | A comprehensive program aimed at preventing roadway deaths and serious injuries through infrastructure enhancements and safety measures. | City-level |
| Sidewalk Program | An initiative supported by $50 million in bonds to construct new sidewalks on arterial and collector roads, creating a connected and safe pedestrian system. | City-level |
| Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant | A $4.47 million federal grant funding upgrades at 22 intersections to reduce pedestrian-involved crashes, including APS, LPI, and PHB installations. | City-level, Federal Funding |
| In-Road Bicycle Infrastructure | Creation of bike lanes and physical road modifications to enhance bicyclist safety, alongside trails, pedestrian tunnels, and bridges. | City-level |
| Charlotte WALKS Pedestrian Plan | An award-winning plan setting the city’s vision for a more walkable Charlotte and targets for increasing trips made on foot. | City-level |
| Pedestrian Crossing Committee | A monthly committee, including Charlotte Area Transit System representatives, that evaluates requests for crossing installations and improvements. | City-level |
| Open Streets 704 Events | Twice-annual events that open miles of streets for car-free biking, walking, and active use, attracting approximately 50,000 attendees annually. | City-level |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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