City Works To Curb Pedestrian-Involved Crashes

El Paso is leading the state in pedestrian-involved crashes, according to City Rep.Beto O’Rourke, with one person hit almost every day last year.

O’Rourke cites that in 2009, there were 324 pedestrian-involved crashes in El Paso. There were also 76 crashes involving pedestrians.

So far this year, 20 pedestrians have died on El Paso roadways.

“Wherever we see these dangerous intersections, we need to do something about it”, said O’Rourke.

One of those intersections is Missouri and El Paso Street in Downtown. There is no crosswalk there, but plenty of pedestrians use that intersection to get to the library, the history museum, cleveland park or the Double Tree Hotel.

O’Rourke proposed installing flashing lights at the intersection, alerting motorists of the heavy pedestrian traffic, plus adding a crosswalk.

“We’re doing a terrible job as a city, not just government, but all of us as pedestrians, we just need to do a much better job of being safe on the roadway”, he said.

Council accepted his plan, and the lights and crosswalk should be up within the next nine months. The city is still working on a cost estimate, but the money will most likely come from reserve funds.

One pedestrian said she thought it was a good investment. “I actually got hit by a car here last year, so i guess i’m not that shocked – not anything serious but i’ve had so many close calls”, she said.

City Council will soon also discuss a ‘safe passage ordinance’ that would force motorists to give more roadway space to pedestrians and cyclists, if they can’t use the sidewalk.