Residents press San Rafael to accelerate safety work on Point San Pedro Road after recent fatal crash
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Summary
Several residents and school staff urged immediate traffic calming and speed reductions on Point San Pedro Road following a fatal pedestrian crash; speakers cited past fatalities, near misses, damaged safety infrastructure and asked the council to prioritize Vision Zero commitments.
Dozens of residents and school employees used open time on Jan. 20 to press the San Rafael City Council to accelerate safety improvements on Point San Pedro Road after a pedestrian was fatally struck last week.
Joe Mulligan, Walk Bike San Rafael team lead, said the roadway is "an overbuilt high‑speed thoroughfare" and called for traffic calming beyond flashing crosswalk lights. Teachers and residents recounted prior fatalities and frequent near misses; teacher David Snaith said he routinely has to step off narrow sidewalks and called for a reduction of the speed limit and better crossing refuges. Several speakers asked the city to work with Marin County, since stretches of the road traverse both jurisdictions.
Speakers identified specific short‑term measures they want considered: lowering the speed limit (proposals ranged from 35 to 30 mph), additional refuge islands, protected left turns at busy intersections, stop signs at crosswalks, and enforcement focused on yield behavior. Multiple commenters referenced the city’s Vision Zero commitment and urged faster implementation of known countermeasures.
Council members acknowledged the comments and said the city has planned improvements at priority intersections but that coordination with county agencies will be necessary where jurisdiction overlaps.