February 24, 2004


TRAFFIC EFFORT MAKES CITY STREETS SAFER, FIGURES SHOW
by Peter Hegarty
 
Traffic accidents fell by about 12 percent last year compared to 2002, a drop police attribute to beefed up enforcement and increased public awareness about the need to drive safely.
 
The number of collisions involving pedestrians also has been recently falling: Last year, 39 took place, compared to 44 in 2002 and 49 three years ago.
 
“I think the enforcement – more than anything – tends to slow down motorists, and I believe that getting people to slow down reduces accidents,” said Alameda police Sgt. Jeff Swatman, who leads the department’s traffic division.
 
Along with stepped up enforcement – including setting up pedestrian-decoy operations to nab motorists who break the law – police credit signs installed by the Public Works Department, including the distinctive markers that have been installed at crosswalks, in helping slow drivers.
 
They also credit the work of Pedestrian Friendly Alameda in raising community awareness.
 
According to police, 1,131 traffic accidents happened in Alameda last year. There were 223 injury accidents and two fatalities. In 2002, 1,301 accidents took place, while 272 of them caused physical injuries. One person died.
 
Despite the dropping numbers, police don’t plan to relax enforcement and say motorists should be warned:  Traffic officers plan to stage two more decoy operations involving pedestrians over about the next two weeks.

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