Iconic San Francisco street is named deadliest by locals after cars kill two pedestrians in less than 10 days
San Francisco locals are reeling after cars struck and killed two pedestrians within 10 days on what has become one of the deadliest streets in the US.
San Francisco locals are reeling after cars struck and killed two pedestrians within 10 days on what has become one of the deadliest streets in the US.
Lombard Street has earned a deadly reputation, with the recent fatalities bring the roads death toll to four deaths within three years and five deaths within 10 years, according to advocacy group Walk San Francisco.
All five of these deaths happened between Van Ness Avenue and Broderick Street.
The two recent deaths were on September 12 when a woman, 70, was struck between Lombard and Laguna Street, and on September 21, when a man, 52, was hit on Lombard and Gough Streets, according to KRON 4.
Now, residents and politicians are taking action against senseless pedestrian deaths.
Lombard Street, which locals call the deadliest street in the city, has a famous steep and winding road section
Walk San Francisco posted signs near pedestrians were killed along Lombard Street
Walk San Francisco posted signs to raise awareness to the deaths along Lombard Street.
Signs were also placed at the intersections where pedestrians were killed, reading: This is the site of a fatal traffic crash. Every year, around 30 people are killed and 600 people are severely injured in traffic crashes on San Francisco streets.
This year, 15 people walking and two people cycling in San Francisco died after being hit by a car, according to government data.
Marta Lindsey, a spokesperson for Walk San Francisco, told SFGATE: It has to be one of the most dangerous streets in the city.
The state-owned street is managed by Caltrans, an agency that Sen Scott Wiener claims values drivers over pedestrians.
Lombard Street has earned a deadly reputation after two people were struck and killed within 10 days
An overview of the deadliest San Francisco street as residents of surrounding neighborhoods call for enforced speed limits and fewer lanes
Wiener said during a press conference: Bottom line: No one should fear for their lives when they are simply crossing the street - a normal activity that everyone engages in.
Caltrans owns and manages about 12 percent of San Franciscos streets, yet 68 percent of traffic crashes happen on those streets, according to a Walk San Francisco press release.
In efforts to reduce and prevent pedestrian deaths in Los Angeles, Weiner introduced safety bills, including Senate Bill 960, which pushes for walking and biking lanes on streets while repairs are being made.
Lindsey said in a Tuesday press release: We are calling on Governor Newsom to sign Senate Bill 960 right now to hold Caltrans to a higher standard in designing streets for safety.
Sen Scott Wiener spoke at a press conference about Senate Bill 690, which aims to protect pedestrians while crossing San Francisco streets
California Gov Gavin Newsom signed this bill on Friday.
Wiener told SFGATE: Nothing is going to happen overnight.
What is realistic is that as work is done over time on these streets, the safety of all users - including pedestrians and cyclists and transit riders - will be taken into account. In the long run, this will save lives.
Jonathan Bünemann, who leads advocacy group Northern Neighbors - representing the neighborhoods surround Lombard street - told SFGATE: It’s a way to get from the Golden Gate Bridge, and people are still in freeway mode.
In my personal experience, I’ve been yelled at for not crossing the street fast enough by drivers who are in a rush. I’ve personally had multiple close call.
Northern Neighbors launched a petition for city leaders to enforce the speed limits and reduce the number of lanes on Lombard Street.
Five people have died after being hit by a car on Lombard Street within the past five years
Residents have taken notice to Walk San Franciscos signs. One Lyft and Uber driver who lives off Lombard Street reflected on their own experiences.
Johanna Mhenusson told KRON4: It sends a message to me that it is not safe to walk around in this neighborhood.
I see people running red lights at least five, six times a day. It is just a disrespect for human life. It has to stop.
