Over the holiday break, the City of Santa Monica replaced intersections with two-way stop signs with ones with four way stop signs at nine high priority intersections throughout Santa Monica. The action follows the installation of two four-way stops at a pair of intersections on Idaho Avenue following a fatal crash that killed bicyclist Tania Mooser on October 27. The upgraded intersections include.
• Arizona Avenue at Princeton Street
• Arizona Avenue at Harvard Street
• Nebraska Avenue at Berkeley Street
• 7th Street at Hill Street
• Washington Ave at 9th Street
• 10th Street at Bay Street
• 5th Street at Strand Street
• 5th Street at Idaho Avenue
• Washington Avenue at 10th Street
Following the fatal crash, the City Council unanimously approved a resolution requiring the city to strengthen its commitment to Vision Zero. Vision Zero is a transportation planning program where a city places safety at the forefront of all its transportation planning, programming and enforcement activities with a goal of achieving zero traffic fatalities.
City officials say they are committed to creating more four way stop signs to make it easier for bicyclists and pedestrians to safely cross the street. Know of an intersection in particular need? You can fill out a request form here.
But while these improvements are welcome additions to make Santa Monica safer; a crash yesterday highlights how much work remains for the city to approach its Vision Zero goals. Yesterday, just before 4:15 p.m., a driver heading westbound on San Vicente Boulevard struck a pedestrian pushing a stroller with a two-year-old child as they were crossing southbound at 19th Street. Both victims were transported to a local hospital in critical condition and are currently listed in stable condition.
