Ten years ago, SF committed to something called Vision Zero. What it meant was that by 2024, SF would suffer no more traffic deaths after implementation of various traffic-calming measures meant to be rolled out (forgive the pun) city-wide. These would include, but not be limited to: lowering speeds limits, putting in speed humps/bumps, and adding traffic cameras. Under the last Mayor, progress toward eliminating pedestrian deaths as a result of reckless motorists was NOT made. I suspect that the proposed measures were both not implemented in a timely fashion and not actually put in city-wide. The city has added a few more bike lanes around town, largely unprotected (read: white paint on the ground), and we all know that a splash of paint does not shield one from injury.
In 2024, there were twenty-four pedestrian deaths as a result of distracted motorists. It's foul. The last car-related pedestrian death of the year was in my neighborhood and just a few days before Dec. 31st. An older woman, walking alone in the early morning hours in lanes of traffic on the Great Highway for reasons not initially provided*, was struck and killed by a driver.
The new SF Mayor, an heir to the Levi-Strauss fortune, Dan Lurie hasn't yet shown his commitment to Vision Zero, but he has spoken on the record about not wanting The Great Highway, a car roadway along the Pacific Ocean, to become a park. Oh, well, buddy! The majority of San Franciscans voted in favor of the park, so it's coming. At least visitors to the new park won't have to worry about drivers crashing into them.
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| Image courtesy of WALK SF |
*It has since come to the fore that the woman was suffering from some sort of dementia and had wandered away from home. -very sad, indeed.
Yes, there are some activists in my own city of Edmonton that push for Vision Zero as well. Improved traffic safety measures are welcome, but human nature and other factors being what they are, a complete eradication of traffic deaths is "to dream the impossible dream."
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think you're correct. I wish for a marked reduction in traffic-related deaths. Twenty-four in 2024 was just nuts.
DeleteNot good when elected and appointed officials are not following the will of the people. Seems to be a pervasive problem.
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
DeleteSadly those same deaths happen here too. And no-one in power has even hinted at Operation Zero.
ReplyDeleteIt's awful.
DeleteThey have so many of these goals out there, but without the personnel to implement them, they get nowhere. If only there was some penalty for missing these goals.
ReplyDeleteExactly this as well. Man-power is key. That and funds...
DeleteAgree, people voted for it - adjustments will be made and lives saved. It's a winner.
ReplyDeleteYes!
DeleteColor me shocked that elected officials are not doing what the people want or what they voted for. Hopefully Vision Zero can become a reality sooner than later.
ReplyDeleteRight?! Even if the plan cannot be entirely realized, a marked reduction in traffic-related pedestrian deaths is very much what is needed.
DeleteA park sounds like a good idea. Hope it happens. People need to stay off their phones, I think that's the biggest part of people being distracted when they drive. Sorta sounds like the senior woman might have had dementia, to be out alone that early in morning solo, walking in a busy area. How sad.
ReplyDeleteSandy's Space
She did, sadly, suffer from some form of dementia.
DeleteWaving hi, as I make my blog rounds; hope all is well with you.
ReplyDeleteSandy's Space
It's coming. Cars are on their way out.
ReplyDelete