American Canyon Pedestrian Safety Concerns
I’m Ed Smith, an American Canyon car accident lawyer. The father of a disabled child in American Canyon is raising concerns about the lack of proper curbs and sidewalks in the city and advocating for infrastructure changes that will make American Canyon roads safer for all pedestrians.
A Serious Issue
Anthony Krager told reporters that he first noticed the problem when he took his daughter out to go trick-or-treating on Halloween. Krager, who has been living in the city for almost three years, said that he attempted to take his daughter, a 9-year-old with cerebral palsy, out to participate in the holiday festivities around town but was severely impeded by the city’s widespread lack of curb ramps.
At a meeting of the American Canyon City Council that occurred on the week of Thursday, November 9, 2017, Krager addressed council members saying that he came to a point where he had to turn around and go home. Krager told the council that in upcoming years, he would like to be able to take his daughter all over town.
Response
City officials have said that they are aware that the lack of curb ramps is a problem and are working on solutions currently. Interim City Manager Jason Holley told reporters that they are sympathetic to Krager’s concerns and are happy to work alongside him and other community members to reach solutions.
Holley Said that the neighborhood in which Krager lives is one of the oldest in town and that many sidewalks in the area met safety code requirements when they were constructed, but no longer do. Holley added that once the city was able to ascertain the exact location or route where Krager encounters his accessibility challenges, they would be able to determine whether or not they are able to address his concerns.
Dangerous Walkways
Another American Canyon resident, Sindy Biederman, spoke out. Biederman said that she has empathy for Krager and knows first-hand that those in wheelchairs aren’t the only parties who have difficulties getting around in the city. Biederman said that she has been attempting to get the city to install safer sidewalks for three years, ever since she started pushing a stroller while walking her grandchildren to school.
Biederman complained that, in some places, there aren’t sidewalks at all and that she has to push a stroller in the street near traffic in order to get to the school. When asked, Biederman confirmed that she believes that the route she uses to get her grandchildren to school confronts her and her family with dangerous traffic conditions and indicated that she has narrowly avoided oncoming trucks while using the route.
Further Response
In response to these concerns, Holley said that accessibility issues are usually addressed when projects are completed. Holley indicated that the city completed a pedestrian safety project on Tenesa Avenue which included ramps on Los Altos drive, that the city is currently building ramps and sidewalks at the Napa Junction, and that Caltrans started adding these safety features to the intersection of Highway 29 and Rio Del Mar on Thursday, November 2, 2017.
More Blogs from American Canyon Car Accident Lawyer, Ed Smith
American Canyon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, an American Canyon car accident lawyer. If you or somebody that you love has received injuries because of negligent parties or dangerous infrastructure, call (707) 564-1900 for free, friendly advice. Callers can also use (800) 404-5400 or visit autoaccident.com.
Since 1982, I’ve helped American Canyon residents receive the full repayments they deserve in claims involving personal injuries and wrongful death.
Visit Yelp, Avvo, and Google for reviews from my clients.
I’m in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a U.S. forum for trial attorneys with prior settlements and/or verdicts valued at over $1,000,000.
See my Past Settlements and Verdicts here.
AutoAccident.com is the number one site in Northern CA for info and news on automobile accidents and personal injuries.
pic: “road sign in Washington DC” by Ralf Roletschek under CC A-S3.0U
:ms bw [cs 692] cv