In the one year since a new “pedestrian equity” law went into effect in Anchorage that effectively made jaywalking allowed in most situations, 12 people have died by being struck by cars in Anchorage while they wandered into the streets and roads. It’s record-setting death and injury, never seen in Alaska history. The record for pedestrian deaths statewide was set in 2022, with 13.
The dozen deaths doubled the number of pedestrian fatalities from the year before the Assembly passed new ordinance that gave pedestrians the run of the streets. Under the new laws, pedestrians can cross pretty much wherever they feel it’s safe to cross, regardless of traffic lights or crosswalks, which have been made into merely suggestions.
Now, the Assembly wants to penalize the drivers by reducing the speed limits throughout Anchorage by at least 10 miles per hour.
Three Assembly members will hold a press conference Tuesday to outline their resolution, which also demands more light pollution in Anchorage by having more lights installed, ignoring the fact that only one of the fatalities this year took place in the dark of winter, and most of the pedestrians were struck during the summer months, when there is an abundance of natural light. The members also ignore the reality that most of the deaths occurred in well-lit locations, such as Northern Lights and Minnesota Blvd., Minnesota and Benson Blvd., Tudor Road and Seward Highway, and C Street and Fireweed Way.