SACRAMENTO, Calif. — An emergency declaration in response to the number of pedestrian and bicyclist deaths on Sacramento streets cleared another hurdle and is being prepped for City Council.
The city's Law and Legislation Committee voted to move the proposed emergency declaration forward Tuesday. It's a proposal spearheaded by Vice Mayor Caity Maple, Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Mayor Pro Tem Karina Talamantes.
“Over the past decade, within Sacramento's city limits, there have been over 5,000 collisions involving pedestrians or cyclists, leading to at least 264 reported preventable fatalities,” Vice Mayor Maple said during the hearing. “These numbers are not just statistics; they represent real people—children, parents, grandparents—members of our community whose lives have been irrevocably changed.”
The proposal would include a public awareness campaign about distracted driving, prioritization for a pedestrian safety audit, a push for more quick-build infrastructure interventions and more. The city would also provide updates on key metrics related to the proposal.
“Thank you to my colleagues on the law and legislation committee for advancing this critical proposal to protect our community,” Talamantes said. “Sacramento’s streets are dangerous, and we cannot wait. I’m committed to working with city staff and advocates to tackle this crisis and use every tool we have to save lives.”
City staff is assessing the policy and its financial impacts. Once completed, it'll be heard by city council.
