Assemblyman Leland Yee: Improving 19th Avenue Safety

In nine of the past 10 years, pedestrian deaths comprised more than half of the traffic-related fatalities in San Francisco - far exceeding the national average of 12 percent. From January 1990 through December 2001, there were more than 9,000 pedestrian injuries and more than 200 deaths (22 in 2003), giving San Francisco the highest rate of pedestrian deaths and injuries of any county in California.

To curb the high number of preventable pedestrian deaths along one of the City's most dangerous corridors, I am sponsoring Assembly Bill 2568, which would designate a section of 19th Avenue as a "double fine zone." This designation would mean that motorists cited for unsafe driving along 19th Avenue would pay twice the amount otherwise charged for an infraction. Specifically, this legislation would affect the section of 19th Avenue running along Highway 1 from Junipero Serra Boulevard through Golden Gate Park to Lake Street.

Every year the number of deaths and injuries along this section of 19th Avenue increases. In 2001 there were 117 injuries and two deaths on 19th Avenue and 81 injuries and one death on Park Presidio Boulevard. In 2002, there were 142 injuries and two deaths on 19th Avenue, and 72 injuries on Park Presidio Boulevard.

But the problem will likely get worse. With the removal of the Central Freeway, 19th Avenue now serves as a primary gateway to the western half of the City and the main artery connecting the north bay and the peninsula.

To address this issue immediately, I authored AB 2568 as an "urgency" measure, so that when it is signed by the governor, the new law will be implemented immediately, rather than wait for the next calendar year for the law to go into effect. Studies have found that when double fine zones are implemented along with other safety improvements, there is a significant reduction in injury and fatal collisions.

Additional pedestrian safety improvements are already in the works, thanks in large part to the work of SF Supervisor Tony Hall, who originally authored a resolution urging the fines along 19th Avenue be increased. The State Department of Transportation (CalTrans) will begin improving safety features along 19th Avenue in the coming weeks, including pedestrian count-down signals; improved signal timing; hang-over (into the street) signals; and bulb-outs at various intersections to shorten the time it takes to cross the street. All of these measures will work in tandem with the increased fines to improve safety along this traffic artery.

To help pay for future improvements, Hall will introduce legislation to the SF Board of Supervisors to create a fund derived from the increased traffic fines to specifically pay for pedestrian safety improvements along 19th Avenue.

Above all, drivers and pedestrians alike should do their part to be safe, whether on 19th Avenue or any thoroughfare. Slowing down and limiting distractions can greatly improve safety for everyone. I am hopeful that AB 2568 will help to end the high number of unnecessary pedestrian deaths and injuries in San Francisco.

Leland Y. Yee is the Speaker pro Tempore of the California State Assembly.