FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Maya Rosas
Cell: 310-804-5256
Deadly Weekend: Five Seriously Injured, One Killed on the Road
SAN DIEGO (February 6, 2018) – Three crashes over the weekend resulted in one pedestrian killed, two pedestrians seriously injured, and three people in cars seriously injured. On Friday night, a pedestrian crossed the 2700 block of Chatsworth Boulevard midblock, a street with no crosswalk in close proximity, and sustained serious head injuries after being hit by a car. Also on Friday night, a speeding driver crashed into a minivan on Miramar Road, seriously injuring three with one in life threatening condition. The following evening, an intoxicated driver drove onto the sidewalk on the 6400 block of Parkside Avenue, hitting two pedestrians on the sidewalk and killing one of them.
“Eight people walking in San Diego have been hit and killed in 2018 already,” said Maya Rosas, Advocacy Manager for Circulate San Diego. “This tragic loss of life shows that the City urgently needs to invest in safe streets in order to save lives.”
Circulate San Diego and a diverse 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 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. The program has been successful in other U.S. and European cities. To date, 20 cities across the U.S. have adopted a Vision Zero goal.
2017 saw a decrease in pedestrian and all traffic fatalities. However, pedestrians still account for nearly 50% of all traffic fatalities. No loss of life is acceptable and these pedestrian collisions show that more work is needed.
About Circulate San Diego
Circulate San Diego is a regional nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing mobility and making the region a better place to move, work, learn and play. Our work focuses on creating great mobility choices, more walkable and bikeable neighborhoods, and land uses that promote sustainable growth. For more information, go to www.circulatesd.org.
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