Sacramento considers emergency declaration for road safety crisis

A woman is currently hospitalized after being struck while walking in a crosswalk on Sutterville Road in Sacramento. This incident has prompted city officials to consider declaring a state of emergency to address the alarming rate of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities. Vice Mayor Caity Maple, representing District 5, initiated this discussion through a tweet, emphasizing the need for action in memory of those who have lost their lives on the roads. The situation has been described as a public health crisis, with local residents and employees from bike shops expressing concerns about the increasing number of road deaths. Cyclist Michael Turgeon highlighted the fear many potential cyclists have due to unsafe road conditions, suggesting that the design of streets prioritizes vehicles over the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. In response to the crisis, the proposed emergency declaration would allow the city to allocate funds for a public education campaign, enhance enforcement of traffic laws, and expedite safety projects aimed at achieving Vision Zero goals. However, some critics argue that a public education campaign may not be effective and advocate for investing in infrastructure that physically separates cyclists and pedestrians from vehicular traffic. The Sacramento City Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss the potential declaration of a state of emergency, which could lead to significant changes in how the city approaches road safety and the protection of vulnerable road users.