Safe Street RebelAug 23, 2023
A week ago, a driver turning right at 4th/King killed for a four year old. Today at the vigil organized by WalkSF and other non-profits, SFMTA said it would take 3 weeks to do a “quick build” to make the intersection safer. That's too long to wait. So we did our own quick build tonight and closed one of the turn lanes
Show threadCoo-OpsAug 23, 2023
@SafeStreetRebel if I may, what about the extra turning lane is considered to be so dangerous?
Show threadJesseAug 23, 2023
@cooopsspace @SafeStreetRebel
Inside turning lane car blocks visibility for the outer turning lane driver. This would have been obvious to the traffic engineer that designed the intersection.
Show threadFloAug 23, 2023

@jessta @cooopsspace @SafeStreetRebel

Also, if cars fully turn before a crossing, they intersect with pedestrians at a right angle.

But if the turning lane is right next to a zebra crossing, cars turn on top of it. This means crossing pedestrians are not always visible through the windshield and drivers have to actively use mirrors or turn their head. They might be fully hidden behind one of the cars pillars or other passengers.

Show threadMichael S.Aug 23, 2023
@Flo_Rian @jessta @cooopsspace @SafeStreetRebel seems more like incorrect pedestrian crossing placement rather than lanes count issue to me. In Germany I see lots of intersections with 2 lanes goes right and pedestrian crossings, but have not seen a crossing that goes that close to a turn area.
Show threadFlo
@thatsame @jessta @cooopsspace @SafeStreetRebel
Yes, one can move crossing further away from intersections to prevent that as well. Blocking the lane also achieves that, though. The additional benefit is smaller pedestrians (like children) are not hidden behind cars in the right turning lane for car drivers in the left turning lane.
Aug 23, 2023 at 10:17amWeb