As traffic deaths mount, San Francisco launches online tool to track fatal incidents

San Francisco is adding a new protocol when it comes to disclosing information to the public about traffic fatalities on city streets.

District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston announced Wednesday afternoon that the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, Department of Public Health and Police Department, have launched an online publicly available website that includes information about each fatality, such as a summary of what led to the crash, actions and notes taken by SFMTA and updates from police about the crash.

This year has already seen two traffic fatalities — one on New Year’s Day in a hit-and-run crash and another person killed Wednesday night. Both fatal crashes took place in the Mission District.

In 2022, city data showed a total of 34 traffic fatalities with three crashes still pending on whether they qualify as a Vision Zero traffic fatality.

The SFMTA is tasked to update the website tracker within 14 days of a traffic fatality and make any updates thereafter as part of the new protocol. Additionally, memorial posters will be placed near the crash site where the public can find ways to get more information about the crash. The SFMTA Board of Directors will also provide quarterly updates during their public meetings on its progress on various pedestrian and bike safety projects and information about traffic fatalities.

Preston said in a statement that the new tracker will help provide more transparency to the public about each traffic fatality in The City:

“This new protocol will ensure that family members, friends of the victim, neighbors, and advocates promptly get information about what happened and how the City plans to take action to prevent further fatalities. Until our City achieves our Vision Zero goals, this is the least we can do.”

The City does have protocols following a traffic fatality, which requires the SFMTA to initiate a rapid response call with public health and police within a week of a traffic fatality to review the details of the fatality. A SFMTA rapid response team will also go to the scene of the fatality to investigate and possibly make recommendations to improve the intersection.

Preston said the current protocols did not include any engagement with the public and introduced a resolution last year that urged the SFMTA to hold a town hall meeting within two weeks of a traffic fatality so that the public can get information about the cause of the crash, investigation and any planned safety measures.

After a Board of Supervisors committee hearing on the resolution last year, Preston and the SFMTA agreed on changes to the The City’s traffic fatality protocols, including adding the traffic fatality tracker, Preston’s office said.

Jodie Medeiros, executive director of Walk San Francisco, said in a statement:

“This transparency will bring greater accountability on Vision Zero for the City, plus helps communities understand what’s happening on their streets and mobilize for changes.”

The City has a Vision Zero goal of having zero traffic fatalities by 2024.