Seniors seek solutions to stroll safely
KEN EDWARDS CENTER When it comes to making the streets safer for pedestrians, perhaps wider sidewalks, one-lane streets and lighted crosswalks aren’t the things City Hall should be spending money on, members of the Commission for the Senior Community said Wednesday.
Instead, elected officials should consider investing in an education campaign that reminds drivers to have more respect for those on two feet, and emphasizes to walkers the importance of looking both ways before crossing the street.
“I’m concerned about education,” said Commissioner Elizabeth Wilson. “We need to change people’s attitudes when it comes to driving. It seems people are more careless and have a disregard for public safety.”
Commissioners were discussing the issue of pedestrian safety at a time when the number of major accidents involving pedestrians and autos in 2007 has reached 14 — six of which were fatal. That number is considerably higher than in years past, with the elderly representing a majority of both drivers and victims, raising concerns about pedestrian safety and the ability of elderly drivers to navigate Santa Monica’s increasingly congested streets.
The latest fatal accident occurred Dec. 1, when a 94-year-old driver struck and killed an 80-year-old female who was walking across Colorado Avenue at 16th Street in a marked crosswalk.
Lucy Dyke, City Hall’s transportation manager, said many accidents that occur in the city are caused by a driver’s “bad behavior” and suggested a need for programs to address that aspect of the crashes.
In the past, City Hall has used celebrities like June Lockhart for pedestrian safety campaigns that included “Slow Down, Santa Monica” and the more recent “Let’s Look Out for Each Other.” The public safety announcements aired on the Westside on such channels as City TV, ESPN, The Learning Channel, Discovery, VH-1 and CNN.
Commissioner Joel Greenberg said it might be time to create another PSA that reminds people to always be on the lookout for cars, especially when they are in the middle of a crosswalk.
“I think crosswalks hurt more people than they help,” Greenberg said. “Oftentimes, people have a false sense of security and just assume people are going to stop. We have to educate people that crosswalks don’t provide protection from being hit.”
City Hall has taken a unique approach to crosswalks. Some areas have lighted crosswalks in the middle of busy streets while others have fewer crosswalks. It all depends on whether or not the crosswalk would disturb the flow of traffic, and if it is located too close to a traffic light. City officials would prefer people cross at stop signs or traffic lights, Dyke said.
“Sometimes crosswalks help and sometimes they don’t,” she said.“The city has not taken a one-size fits all approach. We are very careful about where we install them.”
In addition to an education program, it was suggested that City Hall look into installing more street lights in areas where it is currently dark at night. That could help increase visibility and prevent people from tripping on cracked concrete or getting hit as they cross a street, Wilson said.
The commission also recommended improved sidewalk repairs, which includes developing a more effective system for communication about poor sidewalk conditions. It also recommended extending the timing of signals so that people have ample time to make it across the street before the blinking red hand begins to flash. In addition, all signals should have voice warning devices, commissioners said.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 20, 2007. Read the original PDF.