Traffic deaths in San Francisco: An analysis

The Chronicle wrote about the excellent report below last month (S.F. traffic fatalities dip, but not bad behavior). 

At my request, the reporter, Heather Knight, gave me the link to the report she was writing about. She followed up with a story about the commander who wrote the report being transferred to the airport (Police chief appoints new commander to oversee traffic division). 

The police chief denies that Ali was transferred because of this report, but one has a right to be skeptical, since the city's anti-car movement was critical of Ali, who talked about "really, really bad behavior" by everyone on city streets.

From Streetsblog:

It’s hard not to cringe when watching law enforcement officials sidestep the clear message the city needs: Drivers need to be more careful to protect the most vulnerable people on the streets — people who aren’t in cars, especially those young and old. SFPD’s data shows that the top factors cited in pedestrian crashes have nothing to do with pedestrian behavior.

Not true according to this report, which provides the kind of analysis required to understand exactly why/how fatal traffic accidents happen on city streets. 

Streetsblog never does this kind of analysis, since it assumes that those wicked motor vehicles are the main problem. (One of the accidents described below was crudely distorted by Streetsblog last year, which I posted about at the time.)

Of 16 fatal pedestrian accidents in 2014, pedestrians themselves were at fault in 8 of those accidents.

All three of the cyclists killed on city streets last year were responsible for their own deaths.

Three motorcyclists were also responsible for their own deaths. One motorist died in an accident while being chased by police, as did one of the motorcyclists.

Two motorcyclists died after being shot by a motorist and shouldn't be counted as traffic fatalities at all, depending on whether the medical examiner determines "the fatal injuries were a direct result of being struck with gunfire or the collisions."

My concern is that transferring Ali after he did this report means that the SFPD will no longer provide this crucial public service.

The MTA has apparently decided to no longer even issue its annual Collisions Report that provided accident numbers and analyzed specific streets where the most accidents happen, though it didn't do the kind of analysis that Commander Ali does here. Instead it's evidently going to simply do these "high-injury corridor" maps with no analysis of accidents or of specific streets.

This kind of analysis is what needs to be done by the SFPD on all traffic deaths---and all serious injury accidents, for that matter, with the MTA following up with an analysis of the locations to see if street design was a contributing factor:

San Francisco Police Department

Summary Reports on Fatal Traffic Collisions as of December 17, 2014 

Traffic Collisions Resulting in the Death of a Pedestrian 

January, 7, 2014 at 1820 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 6:20 p.m. on Van Ness Avenue, 103 feet south of Grove Street. The collision involved a MOTOR VEHICLE and a PEDESTRIAN. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the pedestrian. The finding was of a violation of Section 21955 of California Vehicle Code (Between adjacent intersections controlled by traffic control signal devices or by police officers, pedestrians shall not cross the roadway at any place except in a crosswalk). The pedestrian was reported to have run through heavy traffic, zigzagging across six lanes before being struck in the seventh lane. There were no associated factors in this collision. There was also no finding of criminal conduct. 

February 4, 2014 at 1100 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. on Sunset Boulevard at Yorba Street. The collision involved a MOTOR VEHICLE and a PEDESTRIAN. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the driver of the motor vehicle. The finding was of a violation of Section 21950(a) of the Vehicle Code (The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except as otherwise provided in this chapter). There were no associated factors in this collision. There was a finding of criminal conduct on the part of the driver of the motor vehicle. The District Attorney charged this case as a misdemeanor. 

February 5, 2014 at 0223 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at 2:23 a.m. on Van Ness Avenue at Grove Street. The collision involved a MOTOR VEHICLE and a PEDESTRIAN. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the driver of the motor vehicle. The finding was of a violation of Section 21950(a) of the California Vehicle Code (The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except as otherwise provided in this chapter). There was also a determination of an associated factor on the part of the pedestrian of a violation of Section 21453(d) of the California Vehicle Code (Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as provided in Section 21456, a pedestrian facing a steady circular red or red arrow signal shall not enter the roadway). There was an additional finding of criminal conduct on the part of the driver of the motor vehicle who failed to remain at the scene. Neither the driver nor the vehicle involved has been identified. This is an open criminal investigation. 

February 12, 2014 at 0054 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 12:54 a.m. on Van Ness Avenue, 60 feet south of Broadway Street. The collision involved a MOTOR VEHICLE and a PEDESTRIAN. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the driver. The finding was of a violation of Section 22350 of the California Vehicle Code (No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property). Investigators determined that the driver was travelling at a minimum of 48 mph. An associate factor in this collision was that the pedestrian was in violation of Section 21955 of the California Vehicle Code (Between adjacent intersections controlled by traffic control signal devices or by police officers, pedestrians shall not cross the roadway at any place except in a crosswalk). A driver of a motor vehicle is never relieved of the responsibility of operating it in a safe manner even when others may violate the law. There was a finding of gross criminal conduct on the driver in addition to fleeing the scene. The driver was arrested on felony charges. The District Attorney’s Office charged the driver with felony offenses of Vehicular Manslaughter and Hit & Run. 

February 20, 2014 at 1511 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 3:11 p.m. on Fillmore Avenue, 32 feet north of California Street. The collision involved a MOTOR VEHICLE and a PEDESTRIAN. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the pedestrian. The finding was of a violation of Section 21954(a) of the California Vehicle Code (Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard). The investigation revealed that the pedestrian walked directly in front of the motor vehicle while it was momentarily stopped in traffic. In this case the motor vehicle was a cement truck with a hood that measured 72 inches from the ground. The pedestrian stood 65 inches. There was no finding of criminal conduct. 

March 20, 2014 at 1116 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at approximately 11:16 a.m. on Bayshore Boulevard at Visitacion Avenue. The collision involved a PEDESTRIAN and a MOTOR VEHICLE. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the driver of the motor vehicle. The finding was of a violation of Section 21950(a) of the California Vehicle Code (The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection). The driver of the motor vehicle failed to remain at the scene. The driver was subsequently identified, arrested and the District Attorney charged this case as a misdemeanor. 

April 6, 2014 at 2304 hours: A traffic collision occurred on Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 11:04 p.m. on Van Ness Avenue, 33 feet north of Golden Gate Avenue. The collision involved a PEDESTRIAN and a MOTOR VEHICLE. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the pedestrian. The findings were for a violation of Section 21950(b) of the California Vehicle Code (No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard). The pedestrian was not in a crosswalk and walked into lanes of traffic against the pedestrian stop light. There was no finding of criminal conduct. 

May 19, 2014 at 2047 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Monday, May 19, 2014 at 8:47 p.m. on Dolores Street, 2 feet north of 30th Street. The collision involved a MOTOR VEHICLE and a PEDESTRIAN. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the pedestrian. The findings were for a violation of Section 21456(b) of the California Vehicle Code (Flashing or steady “DON’T WALK” or “WAIT” or approved “Upraised Hand” symbol. No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the San Francisco Police Department 2014 Summary Reports on Fatal Traffic Collisions As of December 17, 2014 4 direction of the signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed crossing shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety zone or otherwise leave the roadway while the “WAIT” or “DON’T WALK” or approved “Upraised Hand” symbol is showing.) There were no associated factors in this collision. There was no finding of criminal conduct. 

July 28, 2014 at 2219 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Monday, July 28, 2014 at 10:19 p.m. on Post Street at Jones Street. The initial collision involved two MOTOR VEHICLES (Dodge and Ford). The initial collision, aggravated by the excessive speed of the vehicle at fault, caused a secondary collision with a PEDESTRIAN. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the driver of Dodge. The findings were for a violation of section 21453(a) of the California Vehicle Code (A driver facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown, except as provided in subdivision (b)). 

There was an associated factor on the part of the driver of the Dodge of a violation of Section 22350 of the California Vehicle Code (No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.) The investigation established that the driver of the Dodge was travelling in excess of 50 mph when he entered the intersection of Post and Jones Streets, against a steady red light, approximately 4 seconds after the light changed. There were no associated factors for this collision attributed to any of the other parties involved. 

The driver of the Dodge fled the scene of the collision and was subsequently arrested. There were findings of criminal conduct on the part of the driver of the Dodge. The initial investigation discovered that the Dodge was a stolen vehicle who had fled from an officer, in the area of Post and Larkin Streets. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop for a license plate violation. Ultimately, the driver was arrested and later charged by the District Attorney’s Office for fleeing a police officer resulting in serious injuries and death, driving under the influence resulting in the death of another, and vehicular manslaughter. 

August 15, 2014 at 2237 hours:

A traffic collision occurred on Friday, August 15, 2014 at 10:37 p.m. on Mission Street, 437 feet west of 4th Street. The collision involved a MOTOR VEHICLE and a PEDESTRIAN. The pedestrian, a child, sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the pedestrian as a direct result of the actions of the adult guardian. The findings were for a violation of Section 21456(b) of the California Vehicle Code (Flashing or steady “DON’T WALK” or “WAIT” or approved “Upraised Hand” symbol. No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of the signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed crossing shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety zone or otherwise leave the roadway while the “WAIT” or “DON’T WALK” or approved “Upraised Hand” symbol is showing). There was a finding of criminal conduct on the part of the adult guardian who was subsequently arrested for child endangerment. The driver of the motor vehicle failed to stop and remain on the scene. Once identified the driver of the motor vehicle is subject to potential prosecution. 

August 28, 2014 at 0905 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Thursday, August 28, 2014 at 9:05 a.m. on Quint Street, 185 feet north of Newcomb Street. The collision involved a MOTOR VEHICLE and a PEDESTRIAN. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries. In addition to an SFPD TCIU investigation, this incident is being investigated by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) as it has been identified as a workplace related death. Our investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the pedestrian. The pedestrian reportedly tripped while walking and fell under the motor vehicle, a garbage truck with a high ground clearance. The finding was for a violation of Section 21954(a) of the California Vehicle Code (Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard). There were no associated factors in this collision. There was no finding of criminal conduct. 

September 20, 2014 at 0948 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 9:48 a.m. on Stockton Street, 13 feet south of Sacramento Street. The collision involved a MOTOR VEHICLE and a PEDESTRIAN. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the driver of the motor vehicle. The finding was for a violation of Section 21950(a) of the California Vehicle Code (The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection). The driver of the vehicle reported that he did not see the pedestrian in the crosswalk. The driver of the motor vehicle was subsequently arrested and charged by the District Attorney’s Office with a misdemeanor violation of Vehicular Manslaughter. There were no associated factors in this collision. 

October 20, 2014 at 0657 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Monday, October 20, 2014 at 6:57 a.m. on Sloat Boulevard, 110 feet west of 43rd Avenue. The collision involved a MOTOR VEHICLE and a PEDESTRIAN. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the pedestrian. The findings were for a violation of Section 21950(b) of the California Vehicle Code (No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard). The pedestrian reportedly was “trying to beat the car.” An associated cause of this collision was a violation of Section 21954(a) of the California Vehicle Code (Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard). There were no associated factors in this collision. 

October 23, 2014 at 1130 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. on Carlton B. Goodlett Place, 300 feet south of McAllister Street. The collision involved a MOTOR VEHICLE and a PEDESTRIAN. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the driver of the motor vehicle. The finding was for a violation of Section 21950(a) of the California Vehicle Code (The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection). The driver of the motor vehicle was acting in the capacity of a commercial tour guide service. The driver acknowledged that in the course of this service his attention was focused on the landscape and not on the roadway in front of him just prior to the collision. The driver of the motor vehicle was subsequently arrested and charged by the District Attorney’s Office with a misdemeanor violation of Vehicular Manslaughter. There were no associated factors in this collision.

November 3, 2014 at 0047 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Monday, November 3, 2014 at 12:47 a.m. in the intersection of Larkin Street and Eddy Street. The collision involved a MOTOR VEHICLE and a PEDESTRIAN. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the driver of the motor vehicle. The finding was for a violation of Section 21950(a) of the California Vehicle Code (The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection). The vehicle involved fled the scene and has not been identified. This is an open investigation with no further information to be provided at this time. 

November 3, 2014 at 1349 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Monday, November 3, 2014 at 1:49 p.m. on Mission Street, 114 feet north of 16th Street. The collision involved a MOTOR VEHICLE and a PEDESTRIAN. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the pedestrian. The findings were for a violation of Section 21950(b) of the California Vehicle Code (No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard). The pedestrian reportedly “sprinted” into the roadway from between two parked curbside vehicles. There were no associated factors in this collision. There was no finding of criminal conduct. 

November 6, 2014 at 0608 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Thursday, November 6 at 6:08 a.m. at the intersection of Lombard Street and Van Ness Avenue. The collision involved a MOTOR VEHICLE and a PEDESTRIAN. The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the pedestrian. The preliminary finding is for a violation of Section 21950(b) of the California Vehicle Code (No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard). Witnesses reported that the pedestrian ran into the side of the bus while the bus was making a left turn. Although this is an open investigation there are not any associated factors identified in this collision. There is no finding of criminal conduct.

Traffic Collisions Resulting in the Death of a Bicyclist 

March 19, 2014 at 1127 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 11:27 a.m. on Folsom Street, 35 feet south of 13th Street. The collision involved a BICYCLIST and a MOTOR VEHICLE. The bicyclist sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the bicyclist. The finding was of a violation of Section 21650 of the California Vehicle Code (Upon all highways, a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway). The investigation revealed that the bicyclist appeared to be distracted while bicycling. The bicyclist reportedly was eating as he rode his bicycle from Erie Street into traffic on Folsom Street without looking to check on-coming traffic. The lack of specificity in these two sections relative to a “bicyclist” is addressed in Section 21200 of the California Vehicle Code (A person riding a bicycle or operating a pedicab upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to a driver of a vehicle…except those provisions which by their very nature can have no application). The bicyclist was not wearing protective head gear. There were no other associated factors in this collision. There was no finding of criminal conduct. 

May 25, 2014 at 2113 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on May 25, 2014 at 9:13 p.m. on Laguna Street, 93 feet north of Broadway Street. The collision involved a MOTOR VEHICLE and a BICYCLIST. The bicyclist sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the bicyclist. The findings were for a violation of Section 22350 of the California Vehicle Code (No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property). 

There was an associated factor on the part of the bicyclist of a violation of Section 22450(a) of the California Vehicle Code (The driver of any vehicle approaching a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection shall stop at a limit line, if marked, otherwise before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection). The lack of specificity in these two sections relative to a “bicyclist” is addressed in Section 21200 of the California Vehicle Code (A person riding a bicycle or operating a pedicab upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to a driver of a vehicle…except those provisions which by their very nature can have no application). Lastly, during the course of the initial investigation it was discovered that the water bottle of the bicyclist contained what appeared to be an alcoholic beverage. The bicyclist was not wearing protective head gear. There were no other associated factors in this collision. There was no finding of criminal conduct. 

October 22, 2014 at 1228 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at 12:28 p.m. on Bryant Street, 335 feet east of Rincon Street. The collision involved a BICYCLIST and the ROADWAY. The bicyclist sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the bicyclist. The findings were for a violation of Section 22350 of the California Vehicle Code (No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property). The bicyclist reportedly was “going fast” and lost control of his bicycle. The bicyclist was not wearing protective head gear. There were no other associated factors in this collision. There was no finding of criminal conduct. 

Traffic Collisions Resulting in the Death of an Occupant of a Motor Vehicle

January 17, 2014 at 1519 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Friday, January 17, 2014 at 3:19 p.m. on Bush Street, 62 feet west of Broderick Avenue. The collision involved a MOTORCYCLIST and a MOTOR VEHICLE. The motorcyclist sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the motorcyclist. The finding was of a violation of Section 21658(a) of the California Vehicle Code (A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from the lane until such movement can be made with reasonable safety). The motorcyclist sustained major head trauma. Investigating officers noted that the helmet that the motorcyclist was wearing did not resemble a Transportation certified helmet. The helmet appeared very thin, had a small coverage area on the head, and did not appear to have any energy-absorbing lining. There were no associated factors in this collision. There was no finding of criminal conduct. 

May 3, 2014 at 0219 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 2:19 a.m. on Folsom Street at Cesar Chavez Street. The collision involved two MOTOR VEHICLES. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the surviving driver. The finding was for a violation of Section 21453(a) of the California Vehicle Code (A driver facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown, except as provided in subdivision (b)). There was also an associated factor in this collision, attributed to the surviving driver, of a violation of Section 22350 of the California Vehicle Code (No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property). The surviving driver reportedly was operating his vehicle at speeds greater than 50 mph. The surviving driver failed to remain on the scene. However, he was subsequently arrested for felony Hit & Run and Vehicular Manslaughter. The District Attorney’s Office charged this case as felonies. 

February 18, 2014 at 1714 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at 5:14 p.m. on John F. Kennedy Drive, 230 feet west of the Golden Gate Equestrian Center. The collision involved a MOTORCYCLIST and the ROADWAY. The motorcyclist sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the motorcyclist. The finding was of a violation of Section 22350 of the California Vehicle Code (No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property). The investigation revealed that from the point that the motorcycle made contact with the curb of the roadway to its point of rest it careened 260 feet. There were no other associated factors involved in this collision. There was no finding of criminal conduct.

June 5, 2014 at 1503 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Thursday, June 5, 2014 at 3:03 p.m. on Barneveld Street, 398 feet south of Jerrold Street. The collision involved a MOTOR VEHICLE and an unoccupied and parked MOTOR VEHICLE. The driver of the motor vehicle in transit sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the driver of the motor vehicle in transit. The findings were for a violation of Section 22350 of the California Vehicle Code (No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property). Prior to the collision the driver fled from officers with the California Highway Patrol. The driver used her vehicle to ram one of the CHP vehicles and was successful in eluding pursuing officers. Additionally, the vehicle being pursued had been reported stolen. An associated factor in the collision was that the vehicle was being operated on the wrong side of the roadway. There were no other associated factors involved in this collision. There was a finding of criminal conduct on the part of the deceased. 

July 8, 2014 at 0149 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at 1:49 a.m. on Van Ness Avenue at Sutter Street. The collision involved a MOTOR VEHICLE and a MOTORCYCLIST. The motorcyclist sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the driver of the motor vehicle. The findings were for a violation of section 21453(a) of the California Vehicle Code (A driver facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown, except as provided in subdivision (b)). There were no associated factors in this collision. An arrest warrant has been issued for the arrest of the driver of the motor vehicle. 

August 10, 2014 at 1712 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Sunday, August 10, 2014 at 5:12 p.m. on La Salle Avenue 522 feet east of Cashmere Street. This collision involved two MOTOR VEHICLES. These two motor vehicles were off-road motorcycles being operated by solo motorcyclists. The motorcycles San Francisco Police Department 2014 Summary Reports on Fatal Traffic Collisions As of December 17, 2014 12 were traveling eastbound on La Salle Avenue when an unidentified person began firing a firearm at the motorcyclists. The motorcyclists were struck with gunfire and subsequently crashed their vehicles. Neither motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. Both sustained fatal injuries. What is to be determined by the Medical Examiner is whether the fatal injuries were a direct result of being struck with gunfire or the collisions. If the fatal injuries were a direct result of the gunfire then this incident will not be classified as a traffic collision fatality. 

November 4, 2014 at 2350 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. on Turk Street, 172 feet west of Mason Street. This collision involved a MOTOR VEHICLE and a PASSENGER. The passenger sustained fatal injuries. The investigation determined that the primary cause of the collision were the actions of the passenger of the motor vehicle. The findings were for a violation of Section 21712(b) of the California Vehicle Code (A person shall not ride on a vehicle or upon a portion of a vehicle that is not designed or intended for the use of passengers). The deceased voluntarily climbed upon a gas tanker truck, which was in transit, and unbeknownst to the driver. The deceased lost his grip on the railings of the truck, fell to the roadway and was run over. There were no associated factors involved in this collision. There was no finding of criminal conduct. 

December 16, 2014 at 1406 hours: 

A traffic collision occurred on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at 2:06 p.m. on Treasure Island Road. The collision involved a MOTORCYCLIST and a FIXED OBJECT. The motorcyclist sustained fatal injuries. Although this is an active investigation the primary cause of the collision has preliminarily been determined to be the actions of the motorcyclist. The findings were for a violation of Section 22350 of the California Vehicle Code (No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property). A CHP motorcycle officer attempted to make a traffic enforcement stop on the motorcyclist after the motorcyclist went [through] the Bay Bridge Toll Plaza. The motorcyclist eluded the CHP officer by speeding away at a high rate of speed. The motorcyclist was spotted on Treasure Island and the motorcyclist took off from officers, once again, at a high rate of speed. The motorcyclist lost control on a hill and struck a pole while heading in the direction of the freeway on-ramp (all emphasis added).

[Later: See Jim Herd's analysis of the vehicle code numbers cited in the report. He found that the numbers for pedestrian violations are not among the "focus on the five" violations featured in the Vision Zero PR campaign, even though at least 8 of the pedestrian fatalities analyzed by Commander Ali were caused by the pedestrians themselves.]