Anchorage Accelerates Pedestrian Camera Installations Amid Rising Casualties
Anchorage authorities are accelerating the installation of cameras at all traffic lights for next summer after recording 15 pedestrian deaths in 2024, including hit-and-runs.Anchorage officials are intensifying efforts to install cameras at all traffic lights by next summer in a bid to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists. This initiative, which began with gradual installations in 2017, has gained renewed urgency following a tragic record of 15 pedestrian deaths in 2024, including several hit-and-run incidents.
The surge in fatalities has spurred a robust push to complete the camera project, recognizing the critical role these devices play in identifying drivers involved in such accidents. Municipal traffic engineer Brady Coy expressed his support to MyAlaskaLink, stating, “We can go back and pull some footage from the camera and have an understanding of what all the different factors were, or at least from that camera angle, and what we can tell happened in some of those crashes.” Nationally, the use of speed cameras remains limited to less than half of American states, though their adoption has been increasing over the years. Data underscores the severity of speeding as a contributing factor to motor vehicle fatalities, accounting for approximately one-third of all deaths over the past two decades. In 2022 alone, speeding was involved in 29% of traffic fatalities, resulting in the deaths of 12,151 people. Additionally, pedestrian deaths across the United States have surged by 77% over the last decade, with urban areas, which comprise just 15% of the nation’s roads, accounting for 67% of these fatalities. In Anchorage, the alarming rise in pedestrian deaths this year has ignited calls from local leaders and community members to bolster safety measures. According to Alaska Public Media, drivers have struck and killed 15 pedestrians so far in 2024. A state traffic engineer noted to Alaska Public Media that there is no single factor driving this increase, though aggressive driving has contributed to several incidents. Most of these crashes occurred at night, on major roadways, and outside marked crosswalks, highlighting specific areas where safety interventions are needed. In response to the escalating number of pedestrian fatalities, Anchorage Assembly members have urged state and city officials to explore additional safety measures. These include lowering speed limits, increasing enforcement of traffic violations, and enhancing lighting in high-traffic areas. Such steps aim to create a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists, reducing the likelihood of accidents and ensuring that drivers adhere to speed regulations. |