Over the past six months, there have been a number of fatal accidents in San Francisco. The fatalities have raised the concerns of local authorities who are calling on San Francisco bicyclists and pedestrians to be safe as the holiday season continues. City officials are asking motorists, as well as pedestrians and bicyclists to be attentive to reduce the risks of pedestrian and bicycle accidents in the city.
The executive director of the San Francisco bicycle coalition says the number of cyclists on San Francisco’s streets has increased by 58 percent over the past four years. The executive director of Walk San Francisco says as many as 800 people are struck in pedestrian accidents in the city each year. With the holiday season upon us, it is important to note that more people are out on the street at a time when daylight is short.
A number of fatal accidents are on the District Attorney’s radar as the office considers negligence or other charges. On Nov. 10, charges were filed against a 23-year-old bicyclist who struck down a pedestrian at the intersection of The Embarcadero and Mission Street in July. The bicycle and pedestrian accident proved fatal for the 69-year-old victim.
Three other accidents that this blog has reported on are under review for criminal negligence or other charges, according to the San Francisco Appeal.
This blog previously reported a story of a July 14 University of California at San Francisco shuttle bus accident that led to the death of a 52-year-old doctor, who was a passenger on the shuttle. This blog also recounted the story of an Aug. 19 fatal crash at 18th and Hartford streets that killed a 23-year-old pedestrian. In September, this blog reported the story of a fatal pedestrian accident in the Duboce Triangle neighborhood that left a 59-year-old man dead.
Source: San Francisco Appeal, “DA’s Office Considering Charges Against Shuttle Bus And Muni Drivers Responsible For Pedestrian Deaths,” Nov. 29, 2011
