In October 2023, the Anchorage Assembly’s ordinance went into effect eliminating the enforcement of the crosswalk ordinance. I’m not sure what they expected to happen, but this is what happened: So far in 2024, 12 people have been killed as a result of vehicle-pedestrian collisions.
As of Sept. 24, the Assembly is proposing to reduce speed limits, using the reasoning that fewer people will die if they get hit at 30 miles per hour rather than at 40 miles per hour. The expectation may be that the pedestrians may only get maimed rather than killed. I’m not sure how this will reduce the number of vehicle-pedestrian collisions.
C’mon, Assembly, go back to enforcing the crosswalk ordinance and maybe save more lives.
— Harry K. Beeson
Anchorage
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