San Francisco Mayor, Police Chief Seek Ways to Curb Pedestrian Deaths

Since New Year’s Eve, three pedestrians have been fatally struck by vehicles on San Francisco streets. The rise in deaths has prompted the mayor and police chief to take action to make streets safer, reports KCBS .

The latest fatality occurred Tuesday evening when a 38-year-old man dashed across busy Van Ness Avenue next to City Hall on a red light and was hit by a motorist. It was the sixth pedestrian death in less than a month.

Police Chief Greg Suhr said traffic enforcement will increase as 300 new officers hit the streets. Suhr said he wants the public to understand that there will be consequences for those who ignore traffic laws.

Suhr has already sat down with his captains and would like to see officers dressed in plain clothes on intersections and crossing streets, but he also wants to see police issuing tickets for those who break the rules.