Editor:

I have reviewed the proposed “Neighborways” changes to the streets in the Outer Sunset and believe that the changes are unwarranted and unnecessary.  The changes are intended to improve the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, skate boarders, scooter riders and motorists. 

The proposed “Neighborways safety improvement” is expected to be accomplished by the stated goals of: “Speed reduction,” “Intersection safety,” “Marking space for people bicycling and walking” and “Managing vehicle volumes“.

These changes will have absolutely no impact on the future safety of the target groups. The record clearly indicates that the proposed changes are nothing more than cosmetic; since similar changes have had no impact on pedestrian safety over the many years of “Zero Pedestrian Deaths” program in San Francisco. One definition of insanity is, doing the same thing over and over, while expecting a different outcome. Also SFPD records show no pedestrian deaths in the Outer Sunset district in the past twenty years.  

The time, energy and funds devoted to the useless “Neighborways” project would be better spent in educating the pedestrians, cyclists, skate boarders and scooter riders regarding the safe use of the streets.  Many, if not most, of these users commonly use the streets in reckless and unsafe ways.  

Cyclists, skate boarders and scooter riders commonly ignore the “rules of the road” as well as traffic laws that are intended to provide safe traffic flow for all users of the streets.  

Also, all users of the streets, motorist as well as the above mentioned, frequently are distracted from lack of attention or by the use of electronic devices while using the streets.

According to California DMV Driver Handbook, the 1st. cause of accidents on the streets is: distractions,  2nd: unsafe speed,  3rd: improper turns,  4th: not following the right-of-way rules, and  5th: not following stop signals and signs. 

I use the streets daily in the Outer Sunset for running errands and shopping and regularly witness pedestrians, cyclists, skate boarders and scooter riders ignoring the rules of the road and putting themselves a great risk of injury.  Law enforcement appears to completely ignore scofflaws except for motorists.

The safety of the streets of San Francisco is not just the responsibility of motorists, it is the responsibility of all users of the streets.

And finally, the history of accidental deaths of users of the streets of San Francisco appear largely the result of DUIs and speeding scofflaw users of the streets.  The “Neighborways” changes will have absolutely no effect on DUIs or speeding scofflaws. 

To make the streets of San Francisco safer we need more than the cosmetic changes that “Neighborways” Project is proposing.

To adequately address safe use of the streets of San Francisco, 

#1: all users need to be re-educated regarding the safe use of streets

#2: all users need to assume the responsibility for their safety and the safety of others while using the streets

#3: traffic law enforcement needs to have consistent application to all users 

Sincerely, 

Raymond Stuart