PRESS RELEASE: Victims of Traffic Violence, Advocates Honored Lives Lost to Traffic Crashes

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Aria Grossman, (619) 736-0072, [email protected]

Victims of Traffic Violence, Advocates Honored Lives Lost to Traffic Crashes

San Diego, November 16, 2025— Elected officials, Families for Safe Streets San Diego, and Circulate San Diego gathered today to observe World Day of Remembrance and honor lives lost to traffic crashes. They were joined by community members who dispersed across the San Diego region to place memorial signs at crash sites in honor of the 538 victims who died in traffic crashes in the past two years.

Speakers honored family, friends, and neighbors who were tragically killed in traffic crashes and called on elected officials to support policies and funding to prevent future road deaths.

“As a cofounder of Families for Safe Streets San Diego — and as someone who lost my husband in a preventable crash — I know the devastation behind every statistic,” said Laura Keenan. “Across San Diego County, 538 lives were taken in two years. In the City of San Diego alone, 146 people were killed on city streets — excluding freeway locations — and in Encinitas at least nine more. We are impacted families, and we know these were not accidents; they were failures of design and policy. We have proven tools to prevent these tragedies; what we need is the will to use them. Our leaders must invest in safety proactively, not only after tragedy strikes, so no more families are forced to endure this pain.”

“We must remember that many of the deaths we commemorate today were preventable,” said Aria Grossman, Policy Manager at Circulate San Diego. “We know what must be done to prevent future tragedies, and it’s time the City actually make these infrastructure investments and policy changes. A goal of zero road deaths is not enough. It’s time to take bold action.”

Councilmembers LaCava, Whitburn, and Campillo, and District Attorney Summer Stephan attended the event in a show of support for making San Diego roads safer. Councilmembers also participated in hanging memorial signs to honor San Diegans whose lives were lost too soon.

“Today, we mourn the friends, family, and neighbors that have tragically perished on our roads. As we remember them, we must recommit ourselves to a world where no person feels unsafe simply taking a stroll or bike ride through the neighborhood,” said Councilmember Raul Campillo, San Diego City Council, District 7. “I will continue to prioritize lifesaving investments in road safety across our city in order to achieve that goal.”

“I’m honored to stand with the families of loved ones lost to traffic violence and our partners at Families for Safe Streets and Circulate San Diego in renewing our commitment to safer streets, said Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, San Diego City Council, District 3. “In District 3 and across our city, my office remains determined to work hand-in-hand with advocacy groups, community members and law enforcement to stop pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle tragedies before they happen.”

“Today we honor those whose lives were cut short by preventable collisions and stand with the families who continue to carry unimaginable loss,” said District Attorney, Summer Stephan. “As District Attorney, I see firsthand the devastating impact of impaired, distracted, and reckless driving. Accountability is essential, but our deeper mission is prevention — ensuring that no family has to endure another empty seat at the table. I’m grateful for the dedicated advocacy of Families for Safe Streets San Diego, whose courage and leadership are driving meaningful change in our community. Today is a solemn reminder that every decision behind the wheel matters, and that together — through awareness, enforcement, responsible choices, and strong community partnerships — we can save lives.”

Circulate San Diego, Families for Safe Streets San Diego, and the full Vision Zero Coalition are calling on the Mayor and City Council to support the Coalition’s 2027 budget ask to: