Crime & Safety

Photos: Rising Traffic Deaths Shifts Focus On Fixing Roosevelt Blvd

Plans to redesign Philadelphia's "Corridor of Death" could help save countless lives.

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This long exposure photo shows traffic driving on Roosevelt Boulevard by a makeshift memorial for Samara Banks and her three children who were struck and killed by a car in 2013, in Philadelphia, Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
This long exposure photo shows traffic driving on Roosevelt Boulevard by a makeshift memorial for Samara Banks and her three children who were struck and killed by a car in 2013, in Philadelphia, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

PHILADELPHIA--Federal Officials have sounded the alarm over the national surge in traffic deaths across America. Studies have shown that Black communities are most impacted and even worse so since the pandemic. The city of Philadelphia is considering redesigning Roosevelt Boulevard also known as the "corridor of death." Roosevelt Boulevard stretches 14 miles long across the Northeast of Philadelphia and intersects many diverse communities.

Philadelphia resident Samara Banks and three of Banks’ children tragically lost their lives in 2013 due to a speeding driver on the boulevard. Banks' aunt Latanya Byrd has advocated for safer streets since the death of her niece. The redesign of the boulevard could better protect pedestrians, bikes, and drivers from the current chaotic traffic pattern.

See photos below of Roosevelt Boulevard.

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Officials are hoping a redesign of Philadelphia's Roosevelt Boulevard will lower fatalities on the heavily-traveled urban corridor. (AP Graphic)
This long exposure photo shows traffic crossing Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Pedestrians cross Roosevelt Boulevard at the intersection with North Mascher Ave, Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
A pedestrian waits to cross Roosevelt Boulevard, in Philadelphia, Tuesday, April 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
The Philadelphia skyline, top left, is seen at a distance as vehicular traffic flows along Roosevelt Boulevard at the intersection with North Mascher Ave.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
FILE - A police officer stands by a sheet covering the remains of a young child and a baby stroller at the scene of a fatal collision on Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia, on July 16, 2013. Samara Banks, along with three of her four children, Saa'deem Griffin, Saa'mir Williams, and Saa'sean Williams were struck by a car and killed in 2013 while crossing the Boulevard. (AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek, File)
FILE - Family members react as they watch investigators at the scene of a fatal collision on Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia, on July 16, 2013. Samara Banks, along with three of her four children, Saa'deem Griffin, Saa'mir Williams, and Saa'sean Williams were struck by a car and killed in 2013 while crossing the Boulevard. (AP Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek, File)
This photo provided by Latanya Byrd, shows Samara Banks holding her sons, Saa'mir Williams, left, and Saa'sean Williams. Banks, along with three of her four children, Saa'deem Griffin, not pictured, Saa'mir Williams, and Saa'sean Williams were struck by a car and killed in 2013 while crossing Roosevelt Boulevard. A fourth son, Saa'yon Griffin survived the crash. (Latanya Byrd via AP)
In this December 2012 photo provided by Latanya Byrd, shown from left, are siblings Saa'deem Griffin, Saa'sean Williams, Saa'yon Griffin and Saa'mir Williams. Saa'yon Griffin's mother Samara Banks and his three brothers were struck by a car and killed in 2013 while crossing Roosevelt Boulevard. (Latanya Byrd via AP)
Latanya Byrd and Sean Williams visit the grave of Samara Banks and her three children, Monday, May 9, 2022. Sean Williams is the father of Saa'mir Williams, and Saa'sean Williams. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Pedestrians waits to cross Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia, Monday, May 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
This long exposure photo shows traffic driving on Roosevelt Boulevard , Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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