Sacramento, CA – The Sacramento Bee reports that The Sacramento City Council is moving toward declaring a state of emergency to address a road safety crisis that has claimed at least 20 lives in traffic collisions in 2024 so far. On Friday, September 13, 2024, Vice Mayor Caity Maple announced on social media that she plans to introduce the proposal with Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Councilwoman Karina Talamantes.
The call to action comes just a day after a severe crash left a woman gravely injured while crossing Sutterville Road, part of the city’s “high-injury network.” Maple stressed the urgency, saying, “This is a very, very urgent problem.”
Some of the victims of 2024 Sacramento traffic fatalities include:
- Kaylee Xiong, 18 (killed in scooter crash September 4, 2024)
- Geohaira Sosa, 32 (killed in scooter crash August 29, 2024)
- Jose Louis Silva, 55 (killed in motorcycle crash August 25, 2024)
- Jose Valladolid Ramirez, 36 (killed while riding bicycle June 10, 2024)
- Cheryl Reed, 30 (killed in car crash June 4, 2024)
- Ayanna Akilah Thomas, 22 (killed in pedestrian crash May 19, 2024)
- John Patrick Malley, 26, and Jessica Lee Hay, 29 (killed in car crash May 11, 2024)
- Daniel Lee Morris, 38 (killed in motorcycle crash March 12, 2024)
A state of emergency would allow Sacramento to tap into state and federal funding and fast-track safety improvements. The declaration could also bypass typical contract processes to accelerate these projects. While Councilwoman Lisa Kaplan previously called for a bond measure to fund infrastructure, the city has yet to dedicate significant resources toward road safety.
Sacramento committed to its “Vision Zero” plan to eliminate traffic deaths by 2027, but fatalities continue to rise. A recent Smart Growth America report ranked the Sacramento region 20th for pedestrian danger, behind other California cities like Bakersfield, Fresno, Riverside-San Bernardino, and Stockton.
Maple, representing Oak Park, Hollywood Park, and the Parkway, said the emergency declaration would direct City Manager Howard Chan to work with the Sacramento Police Department to boost enforcement of traffic laws, particularly in high-risk areas.
Councilwoman Katie Valenzuela is also pushing for a “quick-build” program to expedite safety projects after serious crashes. City staff are still reviewing proposals but haven’t yet secured funding.
Sacramento faces additional challenges as many city streets permit high vehicle speeds. Research shows that pedestrian death risk rises significantly at speeds over 30 MPH. Global health organizations recommend a maximum 20 MPH speed limit in urban areas.
The emergency declaration is expected to be a critical step in tackling these preventable deaths, with a focus on rapid safety improvements and stronger enforcement.
Wrongful Death Claims
Losing a loved one in a traffic accident is devastating, and the pain can be made worse by the financial strain that often follows. Medical bills, funeral costs, and the loss of income to support dependents of the deceased can leave families struggling.
Filing a Wrongful Death claim against those responsible can provide compensation to help with these expenses. However, insurance companies will always try to pay as little as possible, making it difficult for families to receive the full amount they deserve.
This is why having an experienced personal injury attorney is essential so that they can fight to make sure you receive fair compensation and justice for your loved one.
