In the wake of a tragic traffic accident that claimed the life of a 4-year-old girl, San Francisco Mayor London Breed is calling for immediate safety improvements. The incident occurred at the intersection of 4th and King streets in the city’s South of Market neighborhood.
In response to the tragedy, Mayor Breed has directed the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) to implement crucial street safety improvements at the intersection. Going beyond the immediate area, the mayor has also instructed the SFMTA to prioritize safety enhancements on dangerous streets across the city.
The fatal incident involved a 71-year-old woman allegedly striking the young girl and her family with her car as they were crossing the street. The girl’s father was also seriously injured and remains in the hospital.
In her statement, Mayor Breed acknowledged the heartbreaking nature of the incident and emphasized the need for improved street safety. She outlined some of the changes that could help prevent similar incidents, including reducing the number of southbound right-turn lanes from 4th Street onto King Street and modifying the traffic signal to display a yellow arrow for right turns instead of a green light.
The mayor’s office noted that there are dozens of similar intersections throughout San Francisco that will be assessed for similar safety improvements by the SFMTA.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of traffic safety, the need for ongoing improvements, and the crucial role of community awareness in ensuring the safety of all road users. It emphasizes the urgent necessity for cities to continuously review and improve their infrastructure to prevent such needless tragedies.