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San Francisco Pedestrian vs. Car Accidents Fewer, Deadlier

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - It's a mixed bag when it comes to the latest numbers involving pedestrian traffic accidents in San Francisco. That's because the mishaps may be fewer, but they have been more deadly.

KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:

Between 2008 and 2009 the number of collisions involving pedestrians and motor vehicles decreased from 800 to 700, but the number of deaths went up slightly. The numbers, released by the Municipal Transportation Agency, show that the 6th Street corridor south of Market is one of the most dangerous in the city if you're on foot.

However, at intersections where there are pedestrian countdown signals, accidents have dropped 22 percent, according to Muni spokesman Paul Rose.

"We're trying to figure out if we have the funding in place to add more countdowns," said Rose. "Where would they work? Where wouldn't they work? We're analyzing the city to see if we can put them in other places."

Before he left office, then-Mayor Gavin Newsom established a pedestrian safety task force.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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