There is a heightened awareness of safety issues due to more cars in the valley, more vehicle miles traveled daily, the national trend of people driving faster more aggressively. Construction projects displacing cars from freeways to other state roads such as 700 East, State Street and Redwood Road. Even though these streets were improved to accommodate the anticipated traffic increase, they are urban arterials shared by motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. They were not intended to serve, nor do they serve, as freeways. Excessive speeding on these and other roads is widespread and often pedestrians suffer the terrible consequences of this and other bad driving behaviors.
Basic awareness can help increase safety for everyone.
In a contest between a car and a pedestrian or cyclist, the car will always win. Only cross streets at marked crosswalks. If no crosswalk is available, cross at intersections whenever possible. Push the pedestrian crossing button at signaled intersections for extra time to cross the street. Never dart out in traffic or jaywalk.