Ater latest tragedy, city must change how it evaluates traffic risks

Re “Neighbor long raised safety concerns about busy crossing” (Oct. 24): My heart was broken to learn of the loss of a 12-year-old child who was struck by a car while walking to school. I have a son of the same age, and for five years our community struggled with the city of San Diego to establish a four-way stop at a dangerous intersection near our elementary school. Despite multiple near misses, including a knocked-down “Children Crossing” sign, we were told the traffic study did not meet the criteria of the archaic and inaccurate point system used to assign risk because there were no documented accidents.

Ultimately, it took our community members together with our superintendent, principal and PTA president to pursue the alternate process outlined in Council Policy 200-08. This involved surveying our neighborhood and presenting the overwhelming community support to our planning board. The city must act now to update its evaluation process before another tragedy occurs.

— Shelby Leuin, Carmel Valley