Is There A Way To Keep Pedestrians Safe In San Francisco?

Pedestrian safety has been at the forefront of both advocate and city leaders’ minds for some time now. San Francisco implemented Vision Zero years ago with the goal of eliminating all traffic fatalities in the city by 2024. Unfortunately, traffic deaths still occur, including pedestrian fatalities. Are there measures that can be implemented to improve traffic safety within SF?

Pedestrian accidents can be devastating

Data available from the California Office of Traffic Safety shows that there were 893 total pedestrian fatalities and more than 14,000 pedestrian injuries during the latest reporting year across the state. The reality is that the vast majority of pedestrian accidents cause some sort of injury or fatality because pedestrians have very little protection against the force of the vehicle slamming into their bodies.

Pedestrian safety is a hot topic in the San Francisco area. Unfortunately, despite efforts to mitigate pedestrian injuries and fatalities, it seems like we are continually seeing tragic stories about these incidents in this city.

COVID-19 has changed the way that many people look at pedestrian safety. Early in the pandemic, traffic across the state was reduced by approximately 50%. Researchers indicate that this decline in traffic led to a decline and trauma-related hospitalizations in California.

However, as the roadways opened back up, the California Highway Patrol reported that there was an 87% increase in ticketing motorists operating over 100 mph. This is a scary development for pedestrians. Data shows that a pedestrian has a 90% chance of survival if they are struck by a vehicle moving at 20 mph, but only a 15% chance of survival if they are struck by a vehicle moving at 40 mph. At higher speeds, the survival rate drops to nearly zero percent.

Safety advocates in San Francisco want speed limits to be lower throughout the city. Other safety measures that can be implemented to increase pedestrian safety include:

• Enacting “no turn on red” ordinances throughout the area to prevent crosswalk accidents.
• Expanding red-light cameras to more dangerous intersections throughout the city. San Francisco currently has 13 red light cameras, and these cameras have been shown to decrease severe injuries when they are installed.
• Install low-cost flashing radar speed limit signs on streets that are known to be prone to pedestrian injuries.
• Install what are known as “left-turn calming devices,” including strategically placed cones in intersections that reduce the speed of drivers making left-hand turns.

Let our team help you today

If you or somebody you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident caused by the negligence of another driver, you should speak to the San Francisco pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible. At Allegiance Law, our skilled and experienced team will work to investigate your case in order to secure any compensation you may be entitled to. This could include coverage of all pedestrian crash-related medical bills, any household out-of-pocket expenses, lost income if you are unable to work, pain and suffering damages, and more. When you need a San Francisco pedestrian accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 415-404-6395.