A local nonprofit that has spent years arguing for less road building and more pedestrian and mixed-use development has released a detailed plan that supporters say would dramatically reduce traffic fatalities and injuries.

Following other “vision zero” programs nationally, Houston Tomorrow encouraged officials – especially Houston lawmakers – to crack down on speeding and distracted driving while investing more in rebuilding streets so that vehicles can share them safely with pedestrians, cyclists and other users.

“Vision Zero does not discriminate based on how you choose to get around,” the report’s authors said. “We want people riding in cars to be safe. We want everyone to be able to ride their bike to work safely. We want people walking around town without risk of losing their life or someone they love.”

Vision Zero Houston Report by Houston Chronicle

Among the 10 largest U.S. cities, Houston and other southern cities where car travel is more common have a far higher incidence of traffic fatalities – a figure that includes drivers, vehicle passengers, pedestrians and cyclists. In 2014, 227 people were killed in Houston in traffic-related incidents. New York, despite having 6.2 million more residents, reported 269 fatalities.

“Almost as many people die on the streets of the City of Houston as are murdered each year,” the report read. “Our response to this shocking statistic should be simple: We must treat traffic deaths in the Houston region as seriously as we treat homicide, as a major public health and security crisis.”

In the 13-county Houston area, 667 traffic-related fatalities were reported in 2014. Alcohol was the most common contributing factor, followed by excessive speed, according to the report.

As a result, the authors advocate targeted enforcement of DUIs and speeding, as well as more acceptance of street designs that in many cases lower vehicle speeds, make transit more accessible and prioritize spending for better bike lanes and sidewalks.