In July 2024, following several fatal and serious injury crashes involving vulnerable roadway users, City Manager Eric Batista and Mayor Joseph Petty Declared a Road Safety and Traffic Violence Crisis in the City. In September 2024, the Board of Health made a similar declaration, and the City Council approved a resolution supporting efforts to improve safety for all roadway users on the public way. The adjusted speed limit is intended to make Worcester streets safer for all users - pedestrians, cyclists, other micro-mobility users, public transit riders and drivers - by reducing the number of crashes that occur and by reducing the risk of serious injury in the event of a motor vehicle crash. This change is in accordance with Worcester's Complete Streets Policy, Mobility Action Plan and Vision Zero Initiative.