Supervisor Preston proposes town halls within two weeks of traffic fatalities to boost Vision Zero transparency

Supervisor Dean Preston introduced a separate resolution on June 14 asking the Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA), Department of Public Health (DPH) and San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) to add a public town hall to the city’s Vision Zero fatality response protocol.

Preston said the proposed town halls — to be held within two weeks of a traffic fatality — would provide families, neighbors and advocacy groups a forum to hear what city agencies know about an incident and to ask questions about prevention measures. "A town hall will not only raise public awareness about traffic fatalities, but it will help us toward our Vision 0 goals," Preston said. He noted a spike of traffic deaths in May 2022 and said the public has limited access to the behind‑the‑scenes investigative work.

The resolution calls on MTA, DPH and SFPD to amend the city’s Vision Zero fatality protocol to include a public town hall component, and Preston said he would consult with advocates and departments as the proposal moves to committee.

Why it matters: Vision Zero is San Francisco’s policy to eliminate traffic fatalities. Preston and advocates said more public engagement after a fatality would honor victims, improve transparency and support prevention planning. The resolution will be considered in committee with further departmental consultation before any procedural change is adopted.

What was recorded: Preston credited Supervisor Mar for earlier inquiries that framed the proposal, and he said advocates from Walk SF and the Bicycle Coalition had helped shape the resolution. The board received the item as an introduction; no final action was taken on June 14.