In a city with an estimated 827,526 people, San Francisco is the second most densely populated city in the United States after New York City. 

     With such a high number of people in a small space, pedestrian fatalities are inevitable. In researching fatalities over the last 10 years, 2024 was at a 10-year high with 24 walking pedestrian deaths. 

     Conversely, 2025’s pedestrian deaths dropped considerably with 17. There have been two pedestrian deaths on Ocean Avenue within the past year. A San Francisco first responder talked about his experiences with pedestrian deaths. 

     “One call that I remember in particular occurred when a pedestrian walked onto the freeway leading up to the Bay Bridge,” recalled the first responder.  

     While this is not a typical pedestrian death, it is one that stuck with him. 

     “It could have been avoided if he hadn’t been walking in a spot he’s not supposed to. It wasn’t really the driver’s fault, you don’t expect someone to be walking on the freeway.”  

     Other cases have been different. He said, “Some other accidents occurred while pedestrians were hit in a crosswalk where they had the right of way.” 

     Many have questioned what steps the city could take moving forward to minimize the number of accidents. 

     Walk SF’s vision is “San Francisco can and should be the safest, most walkable city in the United States.” 

     San Francisco added some precautionary items that helped aid the decrease in fatalities. 

     “The city has been doing more of the things we need on our streets, whether its speed cameras or daylighting or speed humps,” according to Marta Lindsey, and “these things caused fewer of these tragedies on our streets.” 

      Each party has a role in keeping themselves and each other safe.  First responders warn that pedestrians have to do their part in following the laws while being extra cautious when in the street. In addition, drivers and cyclists have to also be careful because being in a vehicle is a huge responsibility.