Iconic San Francisco street is named ‘deadliest’ by locals after cars kill two pedestrians in less than 10 days

San Francisco locals are reeling after cars struck and killed two pedestrians within 10 days on what has become one of the deadliest streets in the US.

Lombard Street has developed a deadly reputation, with recent fatalities bringing the death toll on the road to four deaths within three years and five within 10 years, according to advocacy group Walk San Francisco.

All five of these deaths occurred between Van Ness Avenue and Broderick Street.

The two recent deaths occurred on September 12, when a woman, 70, was struck between Lombard Street and Laguna Street, and on September 21, when a man, 52, was struck at Lombard Street and Gough Street, police said . CRON 4.

Now residents and politicians are taking action against senseless pedestrian deaths.

Walk San Francisco posted signs near pedestrians killed along Lombard Street

Walk San Francisco posted signs to draw attention to the deaths along Lombard Street.

Signs were also placed at intersections where pedestrians were killed that read: ‘This is the scene of a fatal traffic accident. Every year, approximately 30 people are killed and 600 seriously injured in traffic accidents on the streets of San Francisco.

Fifteen people walking and two cycling died after being hit by a car in San Francisco this year, according to government data.

Marta Lindsey, spokesperson for Walk San Francisco, said SFGATE: ‘It must be one of the most dangerous streets in the city.’

The state-owned street is managed by Caltrans, an agency that Sen. Scott Wiener said prioritizes motorists over pedestrians.

Lombard Street has developed a deadly reputation after two people were struck and killed within ten days

A look at the ‘deadliest’ street in San Francisco, as residents of surrounding neighborhoods call for enforcement of speed limits and fewer lanes

Wiener said at a news conference: “The bottom line is this: No one should fear for their life simply by crossing the street – a normal activity that everyone engages in.”

Caltrans owns and manages about 12 percent of San Francisco’s streets, yet 68 percent of traffic accidents occur on those streets, according to a news release from Walk San Francisco.

In efforts to reduce and prevent pedestrian deaths in Los Angeles, Weiner has introduced safety bills, including Senate Bill 960, which calls for on-street walking and biking paths while repairs are made.

Lindsey said in a news release Tuesday, “We call on Governor Newsom to now sign Senate Bill 960 to hold Caltrans to a higher standard when designing streets for safety.”

Senator Scott Wiener spoke at a press conference about Senate Bill 690, which aims to protect pedestrians while crossing the streets of San Francisco

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed this bill into law on Friday.

Wiener told SFGATE: “Nothing is going to happen overnight.

‘What is realistic is that as work is carried out on these streets over time, the safety of all users – including pedestrians, cyclists and public transport cyclists – will be taken into account. In the long run, this will save lives.”

Jonathan Bünemann, leader of the advocacy group Northern Neighbors – which represents the neighborhoods around Lombard Street – told SFGATE: “It’s a way to get off the Golden Gate Bridge, and people are still using highway mode.

“From my personal experience, I’ve been scolded for not crossing the street fast enough by rushing motorists. I have personally had several close calls.”

Northern Neighbors launched a petition for city leaders to enforce speed limits and reduce the number of lanes on Lombard Street.

Five people have died after being hit by a car on Lombard Street in the past five years

Residents have taken note of the Walk San Francisco signs. A Lyft and Uber driver who lives near Lombard Street reflected on their own experiences.

Johanna Mhenusson told KRON4: ‘It sends a message to me that it is not safe to walk around in this neighborhood.

‘I see people running red lights at least five or six times a day. It’s just a lack of respect for human life. It has to stop.’