Speed cameras have saved dozens of lives on dangerous Philly highway, report suggests
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Speed cameras have made one of Philadelphia's most dangerous highways dramatically safer, and officials say they plan to install dozens more along some of the city's deadliest streets.
Why it matters: At least 72 lives have been saved since speed cameras were installed along Roosevelt Boulevard in 2020, per the latest Vision Zero report.
- The highway has seen a 40% decrease in fatalities — averaging about 7 per year, down from 12 before cameras were installed, city officials tell Axios.
Driving the news: Traffic fatalities have been on the decline since reaching record highs during the pandemic, as Philadelphia has invested millions in roadway safety improvements and public education.
- The city reported 89 traffic-related deaths last year. That's down 26% from 2024 — well ahead of the national average decrease of 6.7%, per the report.
- Nearly half of those involved people walking, biking or roller-skating, per the city's latest Vision Zero report released Monday.
Yes, but: Crashes involving serious injuries increased over the same period, with Philly recording 381 last year, up from 362 in 2024.
- Between 2021 and 2025, the majority of pedestrian crashes resulting in death or serious injury happened at night — many at intersections with streetlights.
- Philadelphians are still three times more likely to die in a traffic crash than New Yorkers, despite Philly having roughly 7 million fewer residents.
Zoom in: The city's so-called High Injury Network (HIN) — including Roosevelt Boulevard — makes up only 12% of Philly's streets but accounts for 80% of fatal and serious injury crashes.
- The city also added traffic-calming measures to 27 blocks along the HIN this year, funded by revenue from speed camera tickets.
Reality check: Speeding remains one of the biggest contributing factors in fatal and serious crashes, with cameras being a huge deterrent, city officials say.
- Speeding tickets along Broad Street dropped 67% through March after cameras were installed last fall, city officials said.
- Nine in 10 pedestrians struck by a vehicle traveling 40 mph are estimated to die, compared with one in 10 at 20 mph, city officials say.
What's ahead: Philly plans to add dozens of additional speed cameras along three more corridors, effectively doubling the number of cameras along the HIN.