San Francisco locals are shocked after cars hit and killed two pedestrians in 10 days on what has become one of the deadliest streets in the United States.
Lombard Street has earned a deadly reputation, and recent deaths bring the number of deaths on the road to four deaths in three years and five deaths in 10 years, according to the advocacy group Walk San Francisco.
The five deaths occurred between Van Ness Avenue and Broderick Street.
The two recent deaths occurred on Sept. 12, when a 70-year-old woman was hit by a car between Lombard and Laguna streets, and on Sept. 21, when a 52-year-old man was hit by a car at Lombard and Gough streets, according to crown 4.
Now, residents and politicians are taking action against senseless pedestrian deaths.
Lombard Street, which locals call the city’s “deadliest” street, has a famously steep, winding stretch.
Walk San Francisco placed signs near pedestrians who died along Lombard Street
Walk San Francisco placed signs to raise awareness about the deaths along Lombard Street.
Signs were also posted at intersections where pedestrians were killed saying, “This is the site of a fatal traffic accident.” Every year, about 30 people are killed and 600 seriously injured in traffic accidents on the streets of San Francisco.
This year, 15 people walking and two bicycling in San Francisco died after being hit by a car, according to government data.
Marta Lindsey, spokesperson for Walk San Francisco, said SF gate: “It has to be one of the most dangerous streets in the city.”
The state-owned road is managed by Caltrans, an agency that Sen. Scott Wiener says values drivers more than pedestrians.
Lombard Street has gained a deadly reputation after two people were run over and killed in 10 days.
An overview of San Francisco’s “deadliest” street as residents of surrounding neighborhoods demand speed limits and fewer lanes
Wiener said during a news conference: “Simply put: No one should fear for their life simply by crossing the street, a normal activity that everyone does.”
Caltrans owns and manages about 12 percent of San Francisco’s streets, but 68 percent of traffic accidents occur on those streets, according to a news release from Walk San Francisco.
In an effort to reduce and prevent pedestrian deaths in Los Angeles, Weiner introduced safety bills, including Senate Bill 960, which pushes for the creation of pedestrian and bicycle lanes on streets while repairs are made.
Lindsey said in a Tuesday news release, “We call on Governor Newsom to sign Senate Bill 960 right now to hold Caltrans to a higher standard in designing safe streets.”
Senator Scott Wiener spoke at a press conference about Senate Bill 690, which aims to protect pedestrians when crossing San Francisco streets.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed this bill into law on Friday.
Wiener told SFGATE: ‘Nothing will happen overnight.
‘What is realistic is that as work is carried out on these streets, the safety of all users will be taken into account, including pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users. In the long run, this will save lives.”
Jonathan Bünemann, who heads the advocacy group Northern Neighbors, which represents the neighborhoods surrounding Lombard Street, told SFGATE, “It’s one way to get there from the Golden Gate Bridge, and people are still in highway mode.”
‘In my personal experience, I have been yelled at by drivers who were in a hurry for not crossing the road fast enough. Personally I have been close on several occasions.
Northern Neighbors launched a petition calling for city leaders to enforce speed limits and reduce the number of lanes on Lombard Street.
Five people have died after being hit by a car on Lombard Street in the last five years
Residents have paid attention to the Walk San Francisco signs. A Lyft and Uber driver who lives on Lombard Street reflected on his own experiences.
Johanna Mhenusson told KRON4: ‘It sends me a message that it is not safe to walk in this neighborhood.
‘I see people running red lights at least five or six times a day. It is simply a lack of respect for human life. It has to stop.’