PRESS RELEASE
Surviving Family Members of Those Killed Call for Safer Streets at “World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims”
November 17, 2024, San Diego - As the sun set over Alice Birney Park on Sunday evening, surviving family members of San Diegans killed in traffic crashes stood in a silent vigil. They were joined by community leaders and advocates observing The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, and paying respects to the 258 people killed on San Diego county’s roads last year.
Families for Safe Streets San Diego (FSSSD) is a group of San Diego families who have lost loved ones to traffic violence while they were walking or biking. They placed 258 pairs of empty shoes at Alice Birney Joint Use Field to represent the 258 people who were killed in traffic crashes in San Diego County in 2023. They shared the stories of loved ones they have lost to crashes, and called on the City of San Diego to implement 3 specific cost-effective solutions that will save lives: 1) Improve dangerous roads, including the “Fatal 15”; 2) Reduce speed limits in school zones by implementing AB43; 3) Increase safety on the 6 Critical Corridors - the most dangerous pedestrian corridors in San Diego, which are all along routes to school.
FSSSD members were joined by advocates and community leaders in the ceremony, including Circulate San Diego, BikeSD, The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition, and City Heights Community Development.
The speakers focused on the theme of Getting Our Kids to School Safely. 46 of the shoes and backpacks on display were child-sized, representing the 46 youngsters killed on our roads last year. Councilmember Stephen Whitburn observed, "As we hold this vigil outside of an elementary school, we know that parents are afraid to let their children walk to school."
Manny Rodriguez of City Heights Community Development talked about the importance to the neighborhood he serves: “Traffic Violence and Safe Routes to School is a top issue in City Heights and the San Diego region, we must work harder to make Vision Zero not just a vision but a reality.”
Two of speakers, who were each severely injured when they were hit by drivers, brought home how these crashes could be any one of us. "I was following every rule," said high school student Caleb Swett from his wheelchair, describing being hit on the way to school.
Obstetrician Anna Cornelius-Schecter said that right before a speeding driver put her in the hospital with a near-fatal brain injury, "I had just shown my friends all the lights and safety features on my bike and my extra reflectors and new helmet."
Families for Safe Streets founder Laura Keenan mourned the loss of her husband Matt. “I remember saying to him as he left the house, ‘I'll see you later’ and the next morning I had to explain to our 15-month-old son that his father wasn't coming home.”. Keenan cited Circulate San Diego’s report “Vision Zero at Ten Years” saying “We have had Vision Zero for ten years and despite good plans, deaths continue to go up.”
San Diego City Councilmembers Stephen Whitburn and Joe LaCava also attended to pay their respects and call for redoubled efforts. As the daylight faded on the gathered crowd, the two councilmembers echoed the theme that time was up, and plans and intentions are no longer acceptable measuring sticks for street safety.
"It should not take as long as it does to get these safety measures into place,” said Councilmember Stephen Whitburn.
Circulate San Diego Policy Counsel Will Moore agreed, saying, “Ultimately, Vision Zero has been a major step forward. But by itself, a vision is not enough. When an admirable vision is only partially implemented, the good intentions behind it start to lose credibility.”
Councilmember Joe LaCava captured the mood of all present, adding simply “The time for words has passed.”
More information is available at https://www.circulatesd.org/2024_world_day_of_remembrance, and https://www.circulatesd.org/vision_zero_at_ten_years.
A downloadable copy of this Press Release is available here.
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About Circulate San Diego
Circulate San Diego is a regional nonprofit think tank 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.
About Families for Safe Streets San Diego
Families for Safe Streets San Diego is a group of families who have lost loved ones to traffic crashes or been affected ourselves. Through our stories and advocacy, we seek physical improvements on our streets, policy changes and the rapid implementation of Vision Zero. For more information, go to www.circulatesd.org/families_for_safe_streets_san_diego.
About City Heights Community Development
City Heights Community Development is a nonprofit organization that works with residents to improve the quality of life in City Heights. Through affordable housing construction, small businesses assistance, and improvements to our street infrastructure, our organization strives to make City Heights a vibrant community for people from all walks of life. For more information go to www.cityheightscdc.org/
About BikeSD
BikeSD’s Mission is To establish San Diego as a world-class bicycling city and create more livable urban communities by promoting everyday riding, and advocating for safe bicycling infrastructure and complete networks. For more information, go to www.bikesd.org/
About San Diego County Bicycle Coalition
Since 1987, the San Diego Bicycle Coalition has acted as a voice for bicyclists in the region and has advocated for safer streets and hundreds of miles of bike paths, lanes and trails all across the San Diego region. For more information go to: sdbikecoalition.org/
