Circulate San Diego drew attention Thursday to a sharp increase last year in the number of pedestrians who died on San Diego Diego County streets.
The San Diego County Medical Examiner‘s newly released 2016 Annual Report listed 101 pedestrian deaths across San Diego County, an increase of 8 from last year and just short of the most ever recorded in a year — 103 in 1994.
“It’s time to prioritize safety improvements where lives are in danger. San Diegans should be able to walk without risking their lives,” said Maya Rosas, advocacy manager for Circulate San Diego. “We can’t continue to do business as usual.”
Circulate San Diego and a coalition of 20 organizations have promoted a campaign for the last two years called Vision Zero, with the goal to end traffic deaths and serious injuries in the City of San Diego by 2025. Mayor Faulconer and the San Diego City Council adopted a 10-year Vision Zero strategy in 2015.
The concept behind Vision Zero is that traffic deaths are preventable — through safe street design, education, and enforcement.
Last year was the third year in a row that the city saw an increase in pedestrian deaths. In June, the city committed to making improvements to the 15 most dangerous intersections.