Police say double-fine zone works
May 4, 2009
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| Hefty fees: Legislation introduce by state Sen. Leland Yee doubled the base amount drivers would have to pay for speeding on California Highway 1 in San Francisco. (Cindy Chew/The Examiner) |
SAN FRANCISCO — Drivers fearful of doling out extra cash may be making life safer on 19th Avenue, as accidents on the treacherous stretch have dwindled greatly since the cost of tickets increased for traffic violators.
During the first three months of 2009 there have been seven traffic accidents on California Highway 1, which includes a large portion of 19th Avenue. If this rate is maintained, it would add up to 28 accidents for the rest of the year — exactly half as many as the 56 collisions recorded on that same stretch in 2008, according to the San Francisco Police Department.
“The numbers indicate that we’ve had a drop-off since the new fines went into effect,” said police spokeswoman Lyn Tomioka. “Drivers appear to be a little more cautious.”
After years of unsuccessful attempts, state Sen. Leland Yee passed legislation that doubled the amount of base fines for a 2.7-mile stretch of Highway 1 in The City that incorporates Park Presidio Boulevard and 19th Avenue. The new bill went into effect Jan. 1.
The base fine makes up a portion of the citation for traffic violations. For example, a speeder traveling 16 to 25 mph over the limit used to face a $50 base fine, plus $125 in additional state, county and court costs, adding up to a total of $175. With Yee’s double-fine legislation, that amount increases to $225.
Manish Champsee of Walk San Francisco, a pedestrian advocacy group, said he’s heard of few collision reports on 19th Avenue since the double fines went into effect, a departure from years past when accidents on the stretch seemed to be the norm.
“We’re not quite far along enough to say the double-fine zone is a success,” Champsee said. “But the early indications are certainly encouraging.”
Sen. Yee’s office has been flooded with thousands of letters concerning the double fine amount on 19th Avenue, and so far they’ve yet to receive any negative feedback on the change, according to Adam Keigwin, the senator’s aide.
“Our constituency varies wildly, so there is always at least someone who doesn’t like something we do,” said Keigwin. “There has been pretty extraordinary support for this.”
Some members in the community aren’t willing to concede that 19th Avenue is now safe because of the increased traffic fines. Vern Waight of the Sunset Heights Association of Responsible People, a local neighborhood group, said the confusing layout of 19th Avenue, not the speed of cars on the street, is the chief reason there are so many collisions.
He said upcoming construction on 19th Avenue that would add intersection bulbouts — curb extensions that would decrease the length of street-crossings — and better signal signage will be the best way to decrease collisions on the road.
For years, residents like Waight have been lobbying city and state lawmakers to make 19th Avenue safer for motorists and pedestrians. The multilane state highway runs through the heavily residential Sunset district.
From 1998 to 2005 car accidents on 19th Avenue resulted in 1,792 injuries and 24 deaths, including nine pedestrian fatalities, according to a report issued by the San Francisco Police Department’s traffic unit.
Traffic improvements
- Reduced speed limit from 35 mph to 30 mph
- Pedestrian countdowns at crosswalks
- Traffic signal upgrades
- Increased visibility of overhead signage*
- Bulbouts at intersections to reduce length of street crossings*
*Planned
Source: Caltrans, San Francisco County Transportation Authority
wreisman@sfexaminer.com
