A closer look at the number of pedestrians hit on San Francisco streets
New data shows severe traffic injuries are up, and critical injuries for people walking are on the rise
Earlier this week, the San Francisco Department of Public Health released the 2018 severe traffic injury data.
In total, there were 592 people severely injured in traffic crashes in 2018. This is up from 574 in 2017 (see chart below). With the City’s Vision Zero commitment to end severe and fatal traffic crashes by 2024, it is deeply troubling to see this number going in the wrong direction.
Of the total number of people severely injured in traffic crashes (which includes people walking, people biking, people on motorcycles, and people in motor vehicles), people walking made up the largest number, at more than 30%.
Even more alarming, people walking made up an even larger percentage of injuries designated as “critical,” and these numbers are on the rise (see chart below). We know all too well from members of San Francisco Bay Area Families for Safe Streets that critical injuries yield life-altering, long-term consequences for the victim and their loved ones.
And these numbers only tell part of the story. The definition of a severe injury is that the trauma team was activated or hospitalization was required. There are many more crashes that happen that don’t require an ambulance that aren’t being counted. What if all those crashes were counted? Then where would we be?
All these numbers reflect what we’re all experiencing right now in San Francisco. We are right to feel that it’s unsafe to simply cross the street.
Walk San Francisco exists because we believe this can and must change. San Francisco must become a city that puts people first on its streets, everywhere.
With you and so many others who are part of the movement for safe streets, we will keep pushing until the charts you see here look very different. Our voices will continue to demand more changes are made until everyone, of every age and ability, can walk safely.
We know you’re with us. So what’s next?
- Getting every Supervisor signed onto the resolution introduced by Supervisor Haney to declare a state of emergency for traffic safety. The next stop for this resolution is the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee on September 27. Please contact your Supervisor if you haven’t yet!
- Winning passage of the Better Market Street legislation in October, which includes removing private vehicles from from Steuart Street near the Ferry Building to Octavia Boulevard this year. What an incredible step this would be toward people-first streets! Ask city leaders to support #CarsOffMarket now!
Banner image: Lynn Friedman via Flickr Creative Commons
