41 Collisions Involving Pedestrians in Weho So Far This Year

West Hollywood, recently declared to be the  in California, saw 41 pedestrian collisions in the first half of this year, a traffic supervisor with the  told Patch.

Of the collisions, which were all non-fatal, 17 involved bicyclists, said Sgt. Michael Caprioli. Caprioli also said there have been at least six pedestrian deaths in West Hollywood since 2001.

The statistics follow the release of a report from national advocacy group Transportation for America, which mapped out the pedestrian deaths that occurred in the U.S. from 2000 to 2009. More than 47,000 pedestrian deaths were recorded across the U.S., with 2,079 recorded in Los Angeles County, according to the group.

The group ranked the Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area 27th on its list of the 52 most-dangerous areas for pedestrians nationally. 

The map, which can be viewed here, lists two pedestrian deaths in West Hollywood during that time: 

• A 23-year-old man was killed Aug. 2, 2007, at Fountain Avenue and Kings Road.
• A 79-year-old woman was killed March 14, 2005, at Beverly Boulevard and Clark Drive.

The report cites numerous challenges in compiling data. "Spotty" availability of data in metro areas was enhanced by limitations on census bureau reports, such as small sample sizes.

Reliable information on how people travel is also lacking, the report states. 

The Transportation for America map does not include three fatalities that occurred in West Hollywood from 2001 to 2004. Fatal collisions took place in 2001 at Sunset Boulevard and Core Avenue; in 2002 at Santa Monica Boulevard and Edinburgh Avenue; and in 2004, at Fairfax and Romaine, Caprioli said.

Also not included is West Hollywood's most recent fatal collision. A in a hit-and-run in November.

Twelve percent of all traffic accidents involve pedestrians, according to the Transportation for America report. Poorly designed roads create the crux of the problem, the report goes on to suggest.

Awareness on the part of the pedestrian is also crucial in preventing injuries and deaths, Caprioli said.

"Bicyclists and pedestrians need to be aware of their surroundings," he said.  

The recommendations in the Transportation for America report include expanded sidewalks and bike lanes, and fewer streets designed with car traffic rather than foot traffic in mind. The National Safety Council estimates the comprehensive cost of each pedestrian death at $4.3 million. 

The most dangerous metro region in the nation, according to the report, is the Orlando-Kissimmee area in Florida. 

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