The Richmond District’s Most Pervasive Problem? Drivers Running Stop Signs

Spend just a few minutes at any Richmond District street corner with a stop sign, and you’ll understand the magnitude of this problem. You’ll see driver after driver rolling through stop signs, treating them as suggestions rather than mandates. Talk to a small business owner whose store faces an intersection, and they’ll describe the close calls, the hesitant people who walk and bike, and the parents gripping their children’s hands a little tighter. No statistic will capture the seriousness of this crisis better than witnessing it firsthand.

Running stop signs has become so common in the Richmond that it’s almost accepted as part of daily life. But this is a problem we can no longer afford to ignore. The Richmond District is full of families, people who walk and bike, and children trying to navigate streets designed for a past era when cars took precedence and safety measures were secondary considerations. Today, as people of all ages move around on foot, by bike, with strollers, and in wheelchairs, these stop sign violations represent a massive, invisible threat.

The Richmond District uniquely blends the energy of a busy urban neighborhood with the comfort of a close-knit community. But that sense of safety erodes every time a driver decides that saving a few seconds is more important than the lives of those around them. Running stop signs isn’t just a minor infraction; it’s a public safety crisis that endangers people who walk and bike, children on their way to school, and families out for a stroll.

Addressing this crisis doesn’t require a massive overhaul. We already know what changes are needed, and many cities have successfully implemented them. Here are solutions that could immediately address the issue along our east-west corridors:

Traffic-Calming Measures: Installing physical infrastructure like roundabouts, raised crosswalks, and lane reductions on streets like Balboa, Anza, and Cabrillo can significantly slow traffic and force drivers to pay attention. These measures make intersections safer for everyone and help make it clear that drivers must approach with caution.

Automated Enforcement: Non-police alternatives such as rotating ticketing cameras can capture stop sign violations without relying on stretched police resources. Drivers are far less likely to roll through a stop sign if they know they’ll be held accountable.

Protected Spaces for Pedestrians and Cyclists: Adding protected spaces, especially near schools, would give vulnerable roadway users the security they need. Raised barriers, clear signage, and designated bike lanes are simple solutions that can improve safety for those who rely on the streets most.

These are not radical measures. These are common-sense solutions that prioritize human life over convenience, and we need to start implementing them.

Every day we wait is another day we’re at risk of a preventable tragedy. We’ve already seen crashes that could have been avoided if drivers had simply obeyed stop signs. This isn’t a problem that needs to be “studied” or “explored”; we know what needs to happen. Ignoring this issue has serious consequences, not just for public safety but for our sense of community and our shared responsibility to protect one another.

Without swift action, running stop signs will continue to threaten the Richmond District. The convenience of a few cannot continue to come at the expense of the safety of many. It’s time for the City to act, and for all of us to demand that action.

This issue deserves to be at the top of the conversation. As residents, we must demand that the City and County of San Francisco prioritize safety and take decisive steps to address this crisis. Running stop signs in the Richmond District isn’t a trivial issue – it’s a life-threatening reality that impacts every person in our community.

Let’s make it clear to our leaders that we are watching, and we will no longer accept the status quo. Our community deserves streets where people don’t have to fear crossing an intersection, and our children deserve a neighborhood where safety comes first. This is a massive problem, and it’s time to face it head-on.

Jen Nossokoff is a candidate for supervisor in District 1 in November. Her focus is on community safety, transportation and health equity. To learn more, visit www.Jen2024.vote.