An increased number of traffic-related accidents - including the death of Tufts student Boryana Damyanova in November - has prompted action on pedestrian and bicyclist safety in the Somerville/Medford area.
Damyanova, 22, was struck by two cars and killed on Nov. 22 near Powderhouse Square. On Dec. 29, Medford Resident Barbara O'Mahoney, 52, was struck in West Medford. She faces a long rehabilitation from massive head trauma.
These are just two examples of pedestrian accidents that have occurred in the area since November, and the city of Somerville has announced the creation of a task force to evaluate pedestrian safety.
The task force will include 16 community leaders, including Tufts Community Relations Director Barbara Rubel and Peter Nowak of the University's Safety and Risk Management Department.
Stephen Winslow, project manager for the City of Somerville's task force, said that Somerville is particularly dangerous because it "is an area where there are plenty of people walking, but [not enough] that motorists are constantly [on the alert] for pedestrians."
According to Winslow, the group is using data from past records to identify locations that are at high risk for pedestrian and bicycle accidents.
The task force plans to measure motor vehicles' speeds at crosswalks and find out how many pedestrians cross certain streets at certain times. The task force will also gauge lighting and paint conditions of the crosswalks and make any necessary improvements.
The group also plans to ensure that crossing signs are well-situated.
Somerville's initiative remains in its planning phase, however.
"It has taken 50 or 60 years for our road system to be more vehicle-oriented. It's going to take a while...to make a significant improvement," Winslow said.
After the issue has been examined in more detail, Somerville will set concrete goals to improve safety and "really figure out what kind of budget the city has to do things in the short-, mid-, and long-term," Winslow said.
"We're just starting," he added.
Medford is also concerned about the rise in traffic-related accidents. Medford Traffic Control Supervisor Sergeant Richard Carroll said that indifference by drivers is to blame for the increase.
"People are so insulated in their cars that they aren't focused on driving," Carroll said. He said drivers' education and awareness is the solution.
After the winter weather ends, Carroll said the Medford Police Department plans to place large orange construction barrels, along with signs, in the middle of hazardous areas to slow down drivers.
"People notice them," Carroll said. "You literally have to get that much in their face to make the motorists more aware."
"Cars need to start seeing pedestrians and start slowing down," senior Rachel Greenspan agreed.
Carroll said that such measures are key to curbing pedestrian-related accidents, especially because of funding concerns within the police department.
He added that pedestrian carelessness can create dangerous situations, saying that impatient pedestrians often do not obey the 'Walk' and 'Don't Walk' signs associated with traffic lights.
Some lights will keep pedestrians waiting anywhere from 90 seconds to several minutes before signaling a safe crossing.
"We're too much in a hurry in today's society to wait," Carroll said. "People will try ducking and weaving in between cars before waiting."
Nevertheless, responsibility lies with the vehicle operator under Massachusetts Law: Drivers are legally obligated to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
