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 edestrian advocates, concerned about the increasing
danger to pedestrians throughout the region, last month announced
the formation of Walk San Diego. In a morning press conference,
the newly formed group presented the "Terrible Ten"
intersections it considers among the most dangerous in the region
to pedestrians. The group held a public meeting to discuss ways
CalTrans and the region's 19 municipalities should improve conditions
for pedestrians.
 "Surveys
show San Diegans consider walkability an important neighborhood
feature, yet dangerous intersections are largely neglected and
new ones are still being built," said David Schumacher,
Walk San Diego Chairman. "Walk San Diego formed because
we're very concerned with the high rate of pedestrian injuries
in San Diego, and the lack of planning for pedestrians in general.
Walking is the forgotten transportation mode." Last year,
134 pedestrians were killed in San Diego County, representing
28 percent of all traffic fatalities. This figure is more than
twice the national average of 13 percent.
The intersections
cited include 2nd and Cedar and 3rd and B in downtown
San Diego, Rosecrans and Sports Arena Boulevard in Point
Loma, two sites in Mission Valley, Clairemont Drive
where it crosses I-5, Broadway and H Street in Chula Vista,
San Ysidro Boulevard one block north of the border crossing,
University and Arnold in North Park, Black Mountain
Road and Mira Mesa Boulevard, and Waring Road and Briar
Road.
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In 1998,
12 year old Aleszondra Afflalo was killed and her brother Adam
was injured while using a crosswalk at the Waring Road location.
In February, the City of San Diego paid $700,000 to settle a
lawsuit brought by the victims' family. Prior to the accident,
the city had received numerous complaints about the intersection.
"Today,
we call on all the cities in this region to overhaul their street
standards to serve all users of the street, not just cars,"
said Walk San Diego Board member Tina Zenzola, Director of the
California Center for Childhood Injury Prevention. "Many
other cities around the country have created safer conditions
for pedestrians while still accommodating auto traffic. As a
community, we should no longer tolerate tragic and preventable
pedestrian injuries."
"Pedestrian
accidents are usually blamed on the pedestrian," Mr. Schumacher
stated. "In fact, the design of our neighborhood streets
encourages speeding. As someone who walks to work once or twice
a week, I can attest that most intersections are intimidating
to cross, and sidewalks are designed without understanding what
pedestrians need." He added, "Despite our great climate,
most San Diegans are reluctant to walk because they don't feel
safe. This is especially true with parents of young children."
Ms. Zenzola
noted, "Everyone is talking about the need for 'Smart Growth'
and more public transit. But remember, almost every transit rider
is also a pedestrian. By erecting barriers to walking, we've
forced people into cars. Other cities have found ways to make
it pleasant to walk to the store, to school, to public transit,
or a neighbor's house. It's time we did the same here."
Although active
informally since 1998, Walk San Diego recently became affiliated
with the nonprofit group San Diego Coalition For Transportation
Choices. The two groups are working to promote alternatives to
using a car for most trips. Walk San Diego sees as its mission
making streets more safe and inviting for walking, and intermixing
residential areas with parks, stores and businesses so pedestrians
have accessible destinations.
"Back
when glue factories were next door to tenement housing, it made
sense to separate land uses, but we've taken this to the extreme,"
said Mr. Schumacher. "Truly livable communities have parks,
stores, and workplaces within walking distance of homes."
"Walking
isn't merely a pleasant activity," Ms. Zenzola pointed out.
"Childhood obesity has increased 14 percent in just 10 years,
thanks to the rise of unwalkable suburbs. The lack of places
to walk is becoming an enormous public health issue." 
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