Local Stroad Takes Another Life—This Time of a Baby
This article was originally published in Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition. It is shared here, in slightly different format, with permission.
Southbound King Road at Havana Drive. Police say the driver of an SUV heading south on King struck and killed an infant and seriously injured her mother and 5-year-old sister at night July 18. King has long ranked a high-collision corridor, with 693 crashes and eight deaths, six of them pedestrians, in the past five years.
I am a mother of a two-year-old, and I’ve been thrilled to witness his journey from infancy to an adventurous toddler. I can't wait to explore the world with him as he grows older—from camping under the stars to dancing together in lively classes. I want to show him the place where his father and I first met, share my favorite ice cream, read my favorite book to him. The dreams are endless, and I eagerly look forward to seeing his future unfold.
That’s why, when I heard about the tragic incident that occurred in San Jose, California, on Tuesday, July 18, I got chills. A baby girl lost her life and her mother and 5-year-old sister were seriously injured. It sends shivers down my spine. I can't help but think of the dreams her family must have had for her, just like how I dream for my little one. And yet, their hopes were shattered in a matter of moments, simply because they tried to get from one side of the street to another. They didn't commit any crime; their only “mistake” was attempting to cross a street safely.
The incident happened on King Road, a street known for its high number of crashes and fatalities. King Road was first identified as a Vision Zero Priority Corridor in 2015. Almost 10 years later, it still continues to be a high-collision corridor. It was identified as a priority corridor once again in 2017 and again in 2023. King Road has seen eight fatalities (six of which were pedestrians) and 693 crashes in the last five years!
Historically our streets have been designed for cars, making sure they can be moved quickly and conveniently from point A to point B with little to no thought put into the movement of people outside of vehicles. The result is that, in San Jose, there are on average 20 crashes a day, 10 of which involve a major injury, and one fatality every week. Combine that with the fact that our streets occupy over 45% of our total land use and the end result is that much of our city is incredibly dangerous.
Fortunately, we know how to make streets safer. Time and again it has been proven that walkable and bikeable communities with housing, services, jobs, and parks close by—in addition to safe infrastructure design—are the ultimate solution to make streets safer, yet cities do not prioritize these needs.
The city of San Jose has been working to improve street safety and we’re appreciative of the good people who work in the Department of Transportation. That said, city leadership has lagged on making street improvements at the pace needed to stop traffic violence.
Hence, we urged the mayor and city council of San Jose to increase funds to prioritize safe streets in this budget cycle. And while we’re pleased that the budget reflects the addition of staff capacity in the Department of Transportation, it doesn’t go far enough. How many deaths will it take?
Let's work together to create a city where families can dream without fear and children can grow up safely. We carry the flame of hope and resilience in our hearts, and we won't back down. So, I ask you, will you stand with us? Will you be a part of this transformative journey?
What San Jose Residents Can Do
Share your thoughts on ways to improve mobility on King Road from Berryessa Road and E. Capitol Expressway.
Urge your city decision-makers to fast-track implementation of safe street design on King Road and other priority corridors.
Join a Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition local team today to advocate for safe streets—the heartbeat of a thriving and caring community.
Traffic calming interventions are best when they not only make the environment safer for everyone outside of a car, but when they do so in a way that reduces the mental load for drivers.