Feb 22, 2008 11:20 am US/Pacific
Doubled Traffic Fines Proposed On SF's 19th Avenue
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) ―
State Sen. Leland Yee introduced a bill Friday in the state Legislature that would double traffic fines for a stretch of roadway in San Francisco that has become notorious for accidents, many involving pedestrians.
According to Yee, between 2000 and 2005, there were nearly 800 traffic accidents on 19th Avenue, a section of state Highway 1 that connects San Mateo County with San Francisco and runs through a commercial and residential part of the city that attracts many pedestrians.
The accidents resulted in about 1,200 injuries and 12 deaths, most of them pedestrians, Yee said. These sobering figures have continued during the past two years, he added.
Yee, D-San Francisco/San Mateo, announced the reintroduction of the Pedestrian Safety Bill, which would double fines for traffic violations on 19th Avenue.
Yee spokesman Adam Keigwin said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger previously vetoed the bill, but is expected this time to sign it. It would go into effect Jan. 1.
In addition to the bill, the California Department of Transportation will begin construction next month on the first phase of a series of pedestrian safety upgrades along 19th Avenue.
The $4 million project will install pedestrian countdown signals at 10 intersections, more visible traffic signals, and fiber optic cables to coordinate traffic signals, according to Caltrans. The project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2009.
A second $8 million project will upgrade 16 additional intersections and could begin this summer, Caltrans reported.
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