Supervisor Preston and Advocates Unanimously Pass Vision Zero Resolution to Recommit City to Eliminating Traffic Fatalities
SAN FRANCISCO — Today, Supervisor Dean Preston and Walk SF unanimously passed their resolution calling for a citywide recommitment to Vision Zero which will push the City closer to achieving its Vision Zero goals. The resolution calls for the Vision Zero Task Force to resume regular meetings immediately, with the first Vision Zero Task Force meeting confirmed for March 16, for departments to coordinate on VZ priorities, and for the implementation of urgent measures including quick build projects and a speed management plan to decrease death and serious injury on our streets.
“Sadly, our City is not on track to meet our Vision Zero goals. The passage of our resolution is a vital step toward ensuring all San Franciscans can safely use our streets,” said Supervisor Preston. “We have the tools, and we should use these tools in a coordinated way, with urgency, to ensure we are doing everything possible to prevent serious traffic injuries and fatalities.”
The passage of the resolution comes as San Francisco continues to struggle to meet its Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities by 2024. In 2022, the City experienced 37 traffic deaths, one of the most deadly years since Vision Zero was passed in 2014 with a ten-year goal of eliminating traffic fatalities in San Francisco. San Francisco has already had six traffic fatalities in 2023.
Now that the resolution passed advocates will know that they have the overwhelming support of the Board of Supervisors to push the agencies on what resources and actions are needed to meet the short-term goal of applying the Quick Build toolkit to 100% of the High-Injury Network. Since the announcement of the resolution, the SFMTA has confirmed that the first Vision Zero Task Force meeting of the year will happen on March 16, and that there are now plans for the SFMTA to announce their speed management plan.
"We're grateful to Supervisor Preston for bringing Vision Zero back into focus at the Board with his resolution. Supervisor Preston’s resolution calls out much of what needs to be addressed right now: interagency coordination, dangerous speeds, and lagging progress on commitments in the City’s Vision Zero strategy. Lives are on the line, and the City needs to get back on track with the promises it's made to make our streets safe," said Jodie Medeiros, Executive Director of Walk San Francisco."
Preston’s resolution follows his extensive advocacy and leadership during the pandemic for slow streets, muni restoration, protected bike lanes, and speed reductions. That record includes:
Leading on the establishment of Slow Streets in D5, including Lyon, Golden Gate & Page
Championing car-free JFK and the Great Walkway
Successfully advocating for $17.6 million in federal funding for safe streets improvements in the Western Addition, including traffic signal upgrades, quick builds, and speed reduction work.
Establishing Fell Street parking-protected bike lane along the Panhandle, and securing design funds to establish a similar lane on Oak Street.
Leading on shared spaces, including closure to cars of Hayes Street in Hayes Valley and the Golden Gate Greenway in the Tenderloin
Transforming post-fatality protocols to create public transparency with the creation of the City’s Traffic Fatality Tracker and memorial posters with links for more information at collision sites
Leading Transit First efforts at the board, including restoration of suspended lines and service, stopping fare hikes, making Free Muni for Youth permanent, and eliminating parking at over 1000 bus stops so Muni riders have uninhibited access to transit.
“Vision Zero must be more than words on a page,” said Supervisor Preston. “We have a duty – especially to kids, seniors, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations – to reach these crucial Vision Zero goals and save lives as an urgent priority.”
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