On November 17, 2024, a powerful and emotional vigil was held at Alice Birney Joint Use Field in San Diego to honor the 258 people who were killed in traffic crashes throughout San Diego County in 2023. The event, organized by Families for Safe Streets San Diego (FSSSD), a group of families and victims who have lost loved ones or experienced severe injuries in traffic crashes, was a reminder of the urgent need for safer streets in our communities. They shared personal stories of being severely injured or of their family members dying in crashes. The vigil was more than a memorial, it was a call to action. This year, FSSSD is advocating for three cost-effective solutions that will save lives:
- Improve dangerous roads including the Fatal 15;
- Reduce speed limits in school zones by implementing Assembly Bill 45; and
- Increase safety on the six critical corridors – the most dangerous pedestrian corridors in San Diego, which are along school routes based on SANDAG’s Safety Focus Network.
Laura Keenan, co-founder of FSSSD shared how her husband Matt was killed on his bike by a driver going the wrong way. She said, “I had to tell my 15-month-old son that his father wasn’t coming home.” Sitting in his wheelchair, high schooler Caleb Swett described how he was hit by a car while biking to school. Standing in front of Alice Birney Elementary School, San Diego City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn said, “we know that parents are afraid to let their children walk to school.” Along with Councilmember Joe LaCava, they committed to improving city processes to advance street safety.
The San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative (COI), which partners with organizations like FSSSD, is working to advance our shared goal of creating safe environments so all communities can improve their health and well-being by participating in physical activities. This includes the opportunity for families and children to walk and bike to school.
To learn more about COI’s work on advancing street safety check out the blog post about our Legislative Breakfast in September where we convened over 90 partners to discuss actionable solutions for improving active living around schools, parks, and healthcare facilities. Additionally, COI partners conducted 13 walk audits in neighborhoods around the county to advocate for street safety around schools. These walk audits can be found in the 2024 Community Walk Audit Report.
Get involved with the San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative (COI) to help improve street safety by signing up انقر هنا.