Santa Cruz among most dangerous intersections, study reports
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) -- A local law firm has released a study identifying Santa Cruz as having a higher-than-average fatal injury rate compared to other cities across the state. The findings suggest that the city's road safety issues are significant, especially in certain intersections that have seen a concerning rise in severe crashes.
Melissa Dema, a Santa Cruz resident who is a pedestrian, cyclist, and driver, shared her experience with the challenges of navigating the city’s roads. “I wasn’t sure if these people were going to stop,” Dema said, recalling a recent crossing. “I made myself really obvious, but it felt like drivers were too much in a hurry.”
The study showed that intersection crashes statewide occur at a mean rate of 2.3 percent, but Santa Cruz exceeds that, with a rate of 2.7 percent. More alarmingly, the city sees a rise in severe injuries, with local figures reaching 14.7 percent. This data highlights the risks pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers face in the area.
Dema, a lifelong resident, believes more visible signage could help reduce accidents. “We’re all in a hurry, and it’s mostly locals,” she noted. “Maybe more speed signs, or pedestrian crossing signals would help. You can barely see the existing ones.”
Despite the addition of more pedestrian lights, the study points to specific intersections as particularly hazardous. Bay Street and Escalona Avenue rank as the third most dangerous intersection in Santa Cruz, followed by Pacific Avenue and Beach Street in second place with eight crashes. The most dangerous intersection is where Route 1 and Route 9 meet, which has seen a total of 11 crashes.
Bob Norton, another local resident, acknowledged the congestion caused by narrow streets, which are often shared by cyclists and pedestrians. “There are so many bikes and pedestrians on narrow streets, and that could be solved by turning some corridors into pedestrian and bike-friendly areas,” he suggested. However, Norton is not ready to change his driving habits. “I drive cautiously, but I don’t see accidents happening very often. There was confusion with the roundabouts at first, but they seem to be working now.”
The law firm behind the study attributes the elevated crash numbers to a mix of local and tourist drivers, among other factors. They recommend enhanced signage and pedestrian-focused safety measures as potential solutions to help curb the increasing crash rate. As discussions continue, residents and city officials alike are left grappling with how to make the streets safer for everyone who shares them.
