Safe Street Rebel' Group Installs Plastic Pillars to Slow Traffic Where Toddler Was Killed

"Intersections are the most deadly part of our roads. Our simple change shortens crossing distances for people walking while slowing down turning cars. The wide, skewed intersection creates poor sightlines and encourages fast turns, which the group said the buffer posts address by narrowing the roadway and tightening turns to slow drivers."

"138 of our neighbors have died in the last 5 years real change is possible, and it doesn't have to come from multimillion dollar projects or intense feedback sessions. Safe Street Rebel said the action was prompted by frustration with the city's response and is intended to push transportation officials to implement a formal redesign."

Safe Street Rebel, a group of residents and street activists, installed plastic buffer posts at the intersection of Fourth and Channel streets in San Francisco's Mission Bay, where a two-year-old girl was killed and her mother seriously injured. The group designed the posts to mimic curb extensions, narrowing the roadway and tightening turns to slow drivers and shorten pedestrian crossing distances. The activists stated the action was prompted by frustration with the city's slow response and intended to push SFMTA toward formal redesign. They noted 138 neighbors died in traffic incidents over five years and argued meaningful change doesn't require expensive projects. SFMTA acknowledged the installation was illegal but had previously implemented safety upgrades including high-visibility crosswalks, red curbs, and adjusted signal timing.

Read at sfist.com