Traffic safety and enforcement took center stage at the San Francisco County government meeting, where officials expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in traffic fatalities and the significant decline in traffic citations. Supervisor Mandelmann highlighted that last year marked the deadliest for traffic-related deaths since 2007, despite substantial investments in street safety infrastructure.

The meeting revealed a troubling trend: traffic citations have plummeted from an average of 350 per day in 2014 to just 10 or 11 daily now. This decline in enforcement has raised questions about public safety, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists, as the city strives to achieve its Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities.

Commander Nicole Jones of the SFPD's Traffic Division presented data indicating that while traffic citations are on the rise in 2023 compared to the previous year, the overall numbers remain low. She noted that the department has issued 50% more citations in the first half of 2023 than in the same period last year, but acknowledged that the total is still far from adequate.

A significant factor contributing to the decline in traffic enforcement is a staffing shortage within the SFPD, which is currently down over 600 officers. This shortage has forced officers to prioritize emergency calls over proactive traffic enforcement, leading to fewer traffic stops and citations. Additionally, increased administrative burdens associated with each citation have further complicated enforcement efforts, making it more time-consuming for officers to issue tickets.

Public comments during the meeting echoed these concerns, with community members urging the city to prioritize traffic enforcement, particularly in high-injury areas. Many speakers called for a renewed focus on the "Focus on the Five" violations—speeding, red light violations, stop sign violations, and failures to yield to pedestrians—arguing that these are critical to improving safety on the streets.

As the meeting concluded, officials committed to continuing discussions on traffic enforcement strategies and the need for a more robust plan moving forward. The urgency of the situation was clear: without immediate action, the city risks further jeopardizing the safety of its streets and the lives of its residents.