Everyone should feel safe and comfortable on Federal Way’s streets—whether they are on foot, using a mobility device, riding a bike, on a bus, or driving a car. Our Safety Action Plan invites you to join us in making that happen.
Why safe streets matter
From 2020 to 2024, more than 3,250 fatal crashes occurred in Washington. Here in Federal Way, there were 51 fatal crashes.
To put it in perspective: those are people whose futures are cut short, with countless more people forever changed by grief and loss. Crash victims’ loved ones may struggle with trauma, grief, or economic hardship. Survivors might have to learn to live with a temporary or permanent disability. Witnesses to a crash can be deeply impacted, and the guilt of being responsible for a crash can linger for a lifetime.
To reduce and ultimately eliminate tragedies like these, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) created a new National Roadway Safety Strategy, setting a goal of zero roadway deaths. In support of that strategy, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) program to fund roadway safety projects across the country.
Source (for internal reference): https://wtsc.wa.gov/dashboards/tz-performance-dashboard/
What are we doing in Federal Way?
Federal Way is launching our Safe Streets for All efforts in the Fall of 2025, and by Summer 2026, we aim to adopt a Safety Action Plan. This plan is driven by the Safe System Approach, which asserts that while crashes may be inevitable, death and serious injuries resulting from those crashes are preventable. This approach emphasizes:
- Designing with human error in mind: Street design should anticipate common mistakes and prevent these from resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.
- Designing for safe speeds: Street design and management should naturally encourage safe driving speeds that reduce both the likelihood and severity of crashes.
Figure 1. The Safe System Approach, as defined in Washington's Target Zero Plan, https://targetzero.com/
Roundabouts are examples of designing with the Safe System Approach in mind. For example, roundabouts help reduce severe crashes by managing traffic flow and reducing conflict points—a great illustration of the Safe System Approach in action. Find out more about roundabouts here.
What do you think will make Federal Way’s streets safer?
Imagine a Federal Way where every trip feels safe, accessible, and enjoyable. What changes would make a difference for you?
- Are there intersections you always dread crossing?
- Do you avoid certain streets because they feel unsafe?
- Is there a particular location where you often see near-misses or crashes?
- Do you avoid walking or biking because of limited or unavailable sidewalks or bike lanes?
- What would make routes to school safer, so that your kids could walk or bike to school?
- What types of infrastructure improvements (like bike lanes, crosswalks, sidewalks) would you like to see in Federal Way, and where?
Share your insights with us by taking a quick survey, which features an interactive web map where you can pinpoint exactly where you have traffic safety concerns.
Link to survey
Stay connected and see our progress
- Join our email list. We’ll send regular updates, project news, ways to stay involved, and more. Sign up here!
- Get social with us. We’ll be sharing updates on Federal Way’s social media [Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube
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