Brand Partner ContentSacramento residents put one foot in front of the other to bring increased awareness to pedestrian safety in the city. The group “Slow Down Sacramento” took their demands for safer streets to Sacramento’s city hall on Tuesday, August 29th, 2023.
The rally was in response to several recent devastating accidents that claimed lives in Sacramento. CBS13-TV reported there were 5 traffic fatalities in the last week of August.
Sacramento Drivers Need to Slow Down
Slow Down Sacramento leaders want to see renewed efforts to keep those who travel on foot, walk to school, and ride bikes in the city protected.
The group is calling for more than just increased caution from drivers. They want more traffic calming measures, such as tall plastic partitions, installed to keep motorists mindful of crosswalks. The group feels this would be a good and economical start to a long-term plan.
Anything that forces Sacramento drivers to let off the gas would be applauded. New projects would be especially welcome at Sacramento’s busiest intersections like Franklin Boulevard and Mack Road, where pedestrian collisions are common.
The founder of Slow Down Sacramento, Issac Gonzalez, spoke about the rising toll of reckless driving in the city, especially from hit-and-run accidents. “There’s about 140 collisions in Sacramento County in the past five years, and we know that 90% of them are unsolved, so there’s literally a license to kill,” said Gonzalez.
CBS13 also confirms that there have been at least 39 traffic deaths in 2023 so far this year along Sacramento routes.
Arguments Against Traffic Calming Devices
While many Californians are calling for traffic calming devices, others question the effectiveness of measures that impede the free flow of traffic. For example, many states have attempted to slow drivers down by using speed cameras. In theory, these measures would slow drivers down, but there haven’t been conclusive studies to show that they reduce the number of accidents.
Furthermore, these traffic calming devices create erratic speed zones where drivers will speed until they reach the calming area. At that point, they will quickly slow down, then resume speed. The zone itself becomes a distraction, and the subsequent erratic nature of the speed pattern becomes a hazard to pedestrians in those areas.
Signing Up to Save Pedestrian Lives
KCRA-TV reports that a pedestrian advocacy group is asking all local drivers to take a “slow down” challenge. You can visit the Slow Down Sacramento website to sign up.
Entering your name means you’ll be part of a movement to make Sacramento a better place to live and walk.
According to the website: “By signing up with Slow Down Sacramento, you’re not just making a pledge to drive responsibly; you’re joining a community of caring individuals committed to making Sacramento safer for everyone.”
“Our mission is to foster a culture of safe, respectful, and courteous-minded driving within Sacramento, reducing the risk of collisions and safeguarding the lives of all road users.”
Supporters will find their names added to a list of fellow community members. There are also t-shirts and mugs for sale to help financially support Slow Down Sacramento.
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