Why are San Francisco Streets So Dangerous for Pedestrians?
A column in the San Francisco Chronicle cited a chilling statistic: 50% of the traffic fatalities in the city involve pedestrians. This compares with an average of 15-20%. This is far from the first report about how dangerous the streets of San Francisco are for pedestrians.
San Francisco Ranks Among the Most Dangerous Cities for Pedestrians
According to a U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study, SF is the 4th most dangerous city for pedestrians per capita (among U.S. cities with populations of 500,000 or more).
So why do we have so many pedestrians being hit in San Francisco?It could be because we have the most dense concentration of pedestrians of any California city. Our often-narrow streets, and buildings with very little setback restrict visibility. At many San Francisco intersections, you cannot see who might be coming from the cross street until it’s almost too late. Our many steep hills don’t help either.
Possible Ways To Prevent Pedestrians From Being Hit in San Francisco
Although the Chronicle piece details some planned measures to try to address the problem, I think the primary way to avoid being hit as a pedestrian is to be extra defensive. Don’t assume drivers can see you. Don’t assume that someone you can’t see one second won’t come zipping around a corner the next. Make eye contact with drivers before stepping out in front of their cars. Never run or hurry into the street or crosswalk.
Talk to a San Francisco Pedestrian Accident Attorney
The pedestrian accident attorneys at our San Francisco law firm are experienced in handling cases of pedestrians being harmed. Click now for a free consultation, and talk to a lawyer.
Boone Callaway is a personal injury & medical malpractice lawyer in San Francisco who has been working with clients in the Bay Area for over 25 years. Mr. Callaway is one of only a few personal injury litigators in San Francisco who is a Super Lawyer, AV Rated and is also a member of ABOTA – American Board of Trial Advocates.
