February 22, 2008
Doubling Fines Along 19th Avenue Might Somehow Solve Everything
State Senator Leland Yee introduced a bill in the State Legislature this morning that, if passed, would see traffic fines double for violations occurring along the deadly strip of San Francisco road known as 19th Avenue. (Shudder.)
Over the past few years, 19th Avenue -- which connects San Mateo County with San Francisco and pierces commercial and residential sections of the city rife with foot traffic -- has played host to numerous traffic accidents and several pedestrian deaths. Yee's bill, which was initially vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, will go into effect at the start of Jan. 9. Oh joy. That's less than one year away!
But don't fret, pedestrians of San Francisco: next month the California Department of Transportation will start construction on a swank new series of pedestrian-safety improvements, including "countdown signals at 10 intersections, more visible traffic signals, and fiber optic cables to coordinate traffic signals," according to CBS5. Add said improvements to this double-fine bill, and 19th Ave. sounds safe enough to babysit your newborn.
Also, great timing there, powers that be. It's only been almost a half a decade since we brought this up, and something is finally getting done about it. Kudos!
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The 100 block of 19th Ave is actually pretty nice...it's not part of Highway 1.
What they mean is 19th Avenue in the Sunset and Parkside and Park Presidio in the Richmond. It's all one corridor. Some peephole refer to the whole shebang as 19th Avenue.
Bury the whole thing underground. Tunnel it from the GG Bridge to Park Merced.
I don't care what the fines are. Running what is essentially a freeway through a quiet residential/family area has and will continue to result in excessive fatalities.
The only solution to protect the residents of San Francisco is to separate the auto/truck traffic from the foot traffic. As a bonus, the tunneled auto traffic would flow unimpeded by stoplights -- resulting in reduced commute times and emissions.
these double fine zones are nothing but revenue generators. why don't they do like has been suggested for illegal immigrants...change the law to make them legal/allow for a higher speed, then we won't have so much illegality. there's some truthiness to this.