–Published in today’s Chronicle–
Blame for collisions misplaced
I am astounded by C.W. Nevius’ ignorance of the facts behind the causes of pedestrian collisions in San Francisco.
According to the Municipal Transportation Agency’s 2007 collision report, pedestrians caused one-third of all injury collisions, meaning that drivers were responsible for two out of every three pedestrian accidents.
Nevertheless, Nevius insists on blaming the victims, referring to pedestrians as “lackadaisical jaywalkers” who carelessly walk into traffic at their own expense.
San Francisco must address the epidemic of pedestrian collisions through calming car traffic so that everyone can be safe crossing the street.
DANIEL JACOBSON Stanford University
Hey, I saw this in my dead-tree Comical this morning and actually recognized your name. Good work on the letter! Let’s hope more people on our side weigh in as well.
(letters@sfchronicle.com if anyone’s interested)