Between now and the November election, Mission Local is asking each District 3 candidate one question per week, and candidates will get 100 words to respond. We will compile all responses to the 40-odd questions on a “Meet the candidates” page, so that voters can get a full picture of their stances.
Question this week: What’s your plan to improve road safety in D3?
Danny Sauter
Executive Director, Neighborhood Centers Together
My plan focuses on:
- Infrastructure: We need to make it drastically harder for cars to speed with better street design and we need to deliver these projects quickly.
- Enforcement: SFPD traffic enforcement has dropped by 97%. This is unacceptable. We must restart enforcement immediately — both by traffic officers and new automated speed enforcement — to save lives.
Better Transit: We need to make public transit faster, more frequent, and enjoyable so that it can be a more attractive choice. It’s why I’ve advocated for a Central Subway extension, protected bike lanes, and transit lanes to speed up buses.
Matthew Susk
Former lead with Divvy Homes
I’m dedicated to making San Francisco’s streets safer with measures such as daylighting and speed bumps. They will enhance visibility and reduce speed at crosswalks. Additionally, I believe the SFPD must use technology to increase enforcement of traffic violations and serve as a deterrent. These simple solutions will drastically improve safety in our community.
My vision encompasses a balanced strategy that ensures all streets remain open to cars while integrating protected bike lanes for safer cycling and upgrading pedestrian infrastructure. We must always strive to enhance our community’s safety, accessibility, and economy.
Moe Jamil
Deputy City Attorney, San Francisco City Attorney’s Office
1. Invest in Technology
Empower PD to crack down on sideshows & street racing by investing in cameras/license plate readers in historic neighborhoods & tourist areas.
2. Community-Centered Policymaking
City Departments should initiate projects in response to needs of residents & small businesses — like the Lower Polk Alley plan — empowering community voices without performative “outreach” & no real intention of modification based on feedback.
3. Mandated Vetting of Street Closures/Parking Changes
Street regulations should consider families with children & workers across the City. Chinatown merchants were shocked when MTA, without notice, erected weekend “no parking” restrictions on Grant Ave. — hurting the City economically.
Sharon Lai
Economic recovery leader at the World Economic Forum, former board member at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
District 3 has a concentrated number of High-Injury-Network streets. I will increase investments in safer physical designs, speed management, and changing behavioral norms through enforcement and education. I will use funds like Prop. L for District 3 to conduct a comprehensive safety study, network planning, and invest in:
• Self-enforcing infrastructure by implementing road designs to slow drivers down.
• Reduce modal conflicts, including daylighting crossings and expanding “No Turn on Red.”
• Technology beyond the three proposed speed safety cameras and red light cameras as enforcement and educational tools, if proven effective.
• Enhance “Safe Routes” to schools and for seniors.
Eduard Navarro
Tech startup founder
I’m calling for a decisive pivot towards a pedestrian-first urban landscape. Relying on signs and surveillance to govern driver behavior falls short. So too does SF´s Vision Zero implementation. Our plan? Broaden pedestrian areas, improve sidewalks, and enhance crossings, but do so physically. We will slow traffic naturally with curb extensions, and beautify with green spaces and street furniture. This initiative is more than a safety measure; it’s a step towards a stronger community. We must keep car accessibility throughout our city, but together, let’s make our streets a testament to our priority: people.
JConr B. Ortega
Self-described formerly homeless, leatherman, boxer
What Supervisor Ortega will do to improve road safety through my R,R&R plan is three simple things: 1. Keep them physically clean and free from debris that we find all around our city streets. 2. Repair all our roads and streets that are damaged from cracks, holes and more, to make them safer to drive on. 3. Remove and place bike lanes where bikers will be safe from traffic throughout our city. It is possible to keep everyone safe by ensuring we get street basics right.
Answers may be lightly edited for formatting, spelling, and grammar. If you have questions for the candidates, please let us know at yujie@missionlocal.com.
Illustrations for the series by Neil Ballard.
You can register to vote via the sf.gov website.
