Large cities like San Francisco often have issues with a high number of car accidents. In general, the more people on the roads, the higher the chances of crashes. However, there are also some aspects of the city that may contribute to accidents.
The San Francisco Examiner explains some strategies that could help reduce accidents on San Francisco streets. They mirror those introduced by the federal government to reduce accident rates throughout the U.S.
More public transportation
Providing people with more public transportation options can encourage more people to park their vehicles and take another way to get around. This can help to reduce the number of cars on the road, which will help reduce accident numbers.
Reduce speed limits
Speed plays a part in many accidents. Reducing the speed limit could help reduce crashes. Mainly, though, this will help more with reducing fatalities than stopping accidents completely. It could be beneficial in reducing accidents involving pedestrians, though.
Adjust intersections
One of the hot areas for accidents in the city is at intersections. Those requiring a left turn are especially dangerous. By changing traffic flow and improving intersections, the city could greatly reduce the number of accidents. Installing more red-light cameras might also help people be more alert and aware at intersections, leading to fewer accidents from people running red lights.
Proteting pedestrians
Pedestrian accidents are especially concerning because they are often deadly. The city can help make things more friendly by adjusting light timing to allow for more time for pedestrians to cross the road before any lane of traffic begins moving again. Creating more areas where pedestrians can walk and not come in contact with vehicles is also beneficial.