PICASO is San Rafael’s pedestrian safety awareness program. PICASO stands for Pedestrians In Crosswalks And Safety Operation.
The purpose of PICASO is to increase the public’s awareness of the importance of pedestrian safety. Although San Rafael’s pedestrian accident numbers are within the national average, the figures have risen alarmingly over the past few years. In 2002, the year the program began, there were 44 pedestrian injury accidents in the City with one fatality. In 2003 that figure dropped to 28 and dropped to 19 in 2004. In 2005, staffing for PICASO was limited and the figure rose to 21 and included one fatality. Nationally, it’s estimated that 5,000 pedestrians are killed and 85,000 are injured each year.
In addition to the accident figures, we have received an increase in the number of complaints from pedestrians whose right-of-way have been violated but fortunately did not result in a collision. The City is taking a multi-pronged approach to address these problems – using technology in tandem with enforcement. All pedestrian crossing signs will be replaced with the more visible bright lime green color. This new signage at school crossing has already been completed. Non-signal controlled intersections will have increased signage and “ladder” style painting will mark the crosswalks at these spots. Countdown signals that show the pedestrian how much time they have until the light changes are being tested, as well as the audible chirp signal for the visually impaired. The City has received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to install imbedded flashing lights in the crosswalks on Civic Center Drive.
PICASO’s goal is to remind drivers that they need to look and stop for pedestrians. Research shows that vehicle-pedestrian crashes often occur because drivers are looking out only for other cars, or are distracted, or just not expecting to see a pedestrian in their path. San Rafael’s statistics show that most of the pedestrian accidents occur within one hundred fifty feet of signalized intersections. Police officers will begin an aggressive enforcement program directed toward motorists who violate pedestrian right-of-way. Special emphasis will be placed on intersections where pedestrian traffic is high. Motorists will be stopped and cited for failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. At the same time, pedestrians will be held accountable for compliance with the law that regulates their conduct while crossing streets and highways. A pedestrian decoy sting program will begin operation in the next few weeks at key intersections throughout the City.
The PICASO team is made up of members from the police and traffic engineering departments. For more information please contact Sgt. Glenn McElderry at 415.485.3034 or PIO Margo Rohrbacher at 415.485.3045.