Op-ed: Sausalito Continues its Quest to Delay Crosswalk Daylighting - Streetsblog San Francisco

"By keeping the 20 feet of curb directly in front of a crosswalk clear of parked cars, it physically opens up the sightlines. It enables an approaching driver to actually see a pedestrian waiting to cross, rather than having that person completely hidden behind a wall of metal. With SUVs and trucks getting taller and wider every year, this visual buffer is basic, life-saving geometry."

"The state law went into full effect on January 1, 2025. Yet 14 months later, if you walk down Bridgeway or Caledonia Street, known as the locals' commercial corridor in Sausalito, you wouldn't know this mandate exists. Vehicles are still permitted to park right up to the crosswalk lines, completely obscuring anyone stepping off the curb."

"Given how simple and effective it is, it is no surprise that over 40 other states and many countries have had similar daylighting laws on the books for decades."

AB 413 requires removing parked cars from 20 feet of curb directly in front of crosswalks to improve driver visibility of pedestrians. This straightforward safety measure addresses a deadly problem: vehicles and pedestrians cannot see each other when cars are parked adjacent to crosswalks. Over 40 states and many countries have implemented similar daylighting laws for decades. The law took full effect January 1, 2025, yet Sausalito has not complied 14 months later. Vehicles continue parking at crosswalks on major commercial streets like Bridgeway and Caledonia. Rather than implementing the mandate, Sausalito's City Council approved a $63,000 consultant contract that will further delay compliance and potentially explore ways to circumvent the core visibility requirement.

Read at Streetsblog