Reacting to the death of two pedestrians killed in separate motorist pedestrian collisions in South San Francisco, Supervisor Norman Yee called for a hearing with the Board of Supervisor’s Neighborhood Services and Safety Committee this past Thursday, discussing measures to reduce pedestrian accidents, avoid future deaths and injuries, and limit the potential contributing factors to these accidents. The two pedestrians, Hanren Chang, and Tania Madfes, were struck and killed by drivers in March earlier this year. I just recently blogged about the sad death of Ms. Chang, and called for more attention to be paid to the survivors who lose loved ones in pedestrian collisions.
The hearing included presentations from the Municipal Transportation Agency, Department of Public Health, and Department of Public Works, discussing individual efforts to improve the safety and walkability of the city, including a one million dollar grant to improve Sloat Boulevard, where one of the pedestrians was killed. Improvements will include flashing lights, curb upgrades, and increased street crossings. Safety improvements city-wide will include upgraded traffic signals, increasing signal visibility, the addition of countdown signals, and improved pavement markets.
According to a study performed by the MTA, an average of five pedestrian deaths occurred annually between 2006 and 2011, with over 1,650 pedestrians injured in the same five year period. Ricardo Olea, an MTA engineer, commented that “an unacceptable amount of people are being killed on our streets.”
Norman Yee is determined to continue this campaign of awareness, stating that “this is not going to be the last you hear from me on this issue.” Callings the deaths “unacceptable” he continues to push for improvements in pedestrian safety, ensuring the city is a safer place for every pedestrian.
I am happy to have at least this one San Francisco Supervisor paying attention to San Francisco pedestrian safety. I hope that he keeps up the fight and accomplishes some real infrastructure improvements.
Hello, I'm Claude Wyle. Have an idea for a topic you'd like to see covered here? Feel free to contact me: cwyle@ccwlawyers.com or visit www.CCWLawyers.com .
Claude A. Wyle is a partner of Choulos Choulos, and Wyle, a San Francisco based law firm dedicated to representing clients who have been injured by the wrongful conduct of individuals, corporations, public entities, and businesses. Mr. Wyle also frequently sits as a Judge Pro Tem for the city and county of San Francisco.
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