New Cameras Set to Catch Red-light Runners on Park Presidio Blvd.

By Jose de Jesus Chavez

Three Park Presidio Boulevard intersections will be monitored by traffic cameras to catch red-light runners as the SF Department of Parking and Traffic (DPT) continues to combat San Francisco's higher-than-usual pedestrian fatality rate.

In the first six months of 2003, 12 pedestrians were killed in the City. After hitting a high of 32 fatalities in 2000, the rate of pedestrian deaths went down to 19 the following year and was 18 in 2002. Statewide, San Francisco is ranked third in pedestrian fatalities, according to the California Highway Patrol.

"Our feeling is that to stop red-light running we need a program that includes all traffic safety matters," said Jack Fleck, a senior transportation engineer with DPT. "We call it the 3 E's - engineering, education and enforcement."

Starting in December, three Richmond District and two Marina District intersections will be added to the red-light photo enforcement program, which currently monitors 19 of San Francisco's busiest intersections with 27 cameras rotating among 31 mounts.

Park Presidio Boulevard will have cameras operational at Lake, California and Fulton streets.

The $1.2 million project is financed by state transportation funds given to Caltrans for regional projects. In this instance, the city of San Francisco asked Caltrans to use the funds for the camera project. The money will fund the purchase of 11 new cameras and pay for the cost of installing camera mounts and housing boxes.

In October, Caltrans began surface work in the area. The camera mounts and housing have been installed and await the cameras, which will be managed by DPT.

The department of parking and traffic is optimistic the cameras will curb red-light related accidents by letting drivers know that when they enter or leave Park Presidio Boulevard, they are driving through a residential neighborhood.

"It's as simple as breaking the law and the people who are against it should be careful not to run a red light," said Jen Maly, the director of communications for the Washington, D.C.-based Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

"The cameras are a good thing for the neighborhood, especially in a city like San Francisco, where there are high incidents of cars injuring pedestrians," Maly said.