1. IIPP Quarterly Health & Safety Training
Pedestrian Safety Awareness
San Francisco has one of the highest pedestrian injury / death rates in the nation.
An average of 10 to 11 pedestrian injuries occur every week.
In an effort to improve pedestrian safety, the City of San Francisco has increased funding for
pedestrian safety initiatives such as countdown clocks, brighter stripping of crosswalks and
pedestrian islands along busy thoroughfares. Driver and pedestrian enforcement efforts have
also increased with more cameras mounted in intersections to catch red light runners,
pedestrian sting operations and public education efforts.
While these measures will help to reduce pedestrian dangers, it is the responsibility of each of
us to recognize the hazards for us as pedestrians and exercise diligence.
Issues for San Francisco Pedestrians:
There are 469,000 registered vehicles in the City. DPT estimates that an additional
435,000 vehicles drive through and 35,400 vehicles enter the City at noon on a week
day.
Many tourist drivers and drivers from surrounding counties unfamiliar with San Francisco
roads.
City roadways such as Van Ness and 19th Avenues that serve as part of the state
highway system.
Roads such as Octavia, 10th, 9th, 8th and 4th Streets associated with ramps feeding onto
and off of the freeway.
Buses, light rail vehicles and bicyclists.
Most Dangerous Pedestrian Intersections in 2006
Oak Street & Octavia Boulevard
Gough Street at Market
Park Presidio Boulevard & Fulton Street
19th Avenue & Sloat Boulevard
Broadway & Van Ness Avenue
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2. IIPP Quarterly Health & Safety Training
Pedestrian Safety Awareness
Additional High Injury Intersections
Fifth & Market Streets
Sixth & Market Streets
Seventh & Market Streets
16th & Mission Streets
Castro & Market Streets
Van Ness Avenue & Market Street
Sixth & Mission Streets
24th & Mission Streets
Fourth & Market Streets
Eighth & Market Streets
Injury Collision Causes
The following causes account for the total percent of collisions occurring between pedestrians
and vehicles.
Unsafe speed (20%)
Violation of traffic signals and signs (17%)
Vehicle right-of-way violations (14%)
Driver violations of pedestrian right-of-way (9%)
Violation by pedestrian (9%)
In addition drugs and alcohol are involved for 33% of adult pedestrians killed and 10% of drivers
involved in pedestrian injuries.
Who’s At Fault?
According to police reports, drivers are at fault in 57% of the accidents and pedestrians are at
fault in 34% of the accidents.
Unsafe Situations
Pedestrian running into the street.
Vehicles turning into pedestrian’s path.
Turns in general
Pedestrians jaywalking.
Pedestrians hidden by vehicles.
Distracted drivers
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3. IIPP Quarterly Health & Safety Training
Pedestrian Safety Awareness
Unsafe Situations
Drivers failing to give right-of-way.
Bicyclists violating traffic laws.
Transit islands in between lanes of traffic.
Light rail stops in the middle of the road.
Road construction
Uncontrolled cross walks
Double parked cars
What Do The Pedestrian Signs Mean?
Pedestrian – Start crossing the Flashing – Don’t start across the Don’t Walk – Do not enter the
road while watching for vehicles. road or proceed to a safety island. roadway. Wait for the walk
signal.
Count Down – Proceed only if
there is adequate time to cross.
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4. IIPP Quarterly Health & Safety Training
Pedestrian Safety Awareness
Safe Walking Tips
Use cross walks – Don’t be lulled into a false sense of
security.
Cross at the proper signal.
Stop at the curb before entering the street.
Make sure all lanes are stopped.
Before crossing – Look left, right and left again
Continue to check for traffic in all directions especially for vehicles turning right-on red.
Make eye contact with motorists.
Don’t insist on the right-of-way.
Don’t follow the leader.
Beware of hidden vehicle syndrome – Where the driver behind a stopped vehicle
becomes impatient and pulls out from behind.
Avoid crossing between parked cars.
If you must walk in the road, face traffic.
At night – Wear reflective material or carry a flashlight.
Advocacy Groups and City Agencies Addressing Pedestrian Safety Issues
The following advocacy groups and City agencies can be contacted to assist with pedestrian
safety issues.
Walk San Francisco – www.walksf.org
SF Environment – www.sfenvironment.com/livablecity
SF Municipal Transportation Agency (formerly Muni) – www.sfmta.com
3-1-1 – San Francisco Customer Service will assist you in finding the proper agency.
TTY – 415-701-2323
When phoning outside of San Francisco – 415-701-2311
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