This year Anchorage has witnessed a tragic, unsettling, and statistically significant rise in pedestrian fatalities. Deaths that serve as a grim reminder of failed infrastructure, policy, and enforcement. Anchorage’s streets are the same, but behavior on them has become increasingly deadly.

There have been (at least) thirteen pedestrians fatally struck by a vehicle in Anchorage this year. These are not just names on a screen, and these are not just statistics. These were people with families, friends, and loved ones. Each of these deaths represents a systematic failure on multiple levels including, but not limited to, a failure to maintain safe infrastructure, and a failure to enact protective policies.

The Anchorage Assembly, through its recent actions, has demonstrated a lack of seriousness in addressing the issue. Specifically, the decision to lift ordnances on jaywalking, has sent a message to both drivers and pedestrians that the city does not prioritize pedestrian safety. The now lifted ordnance allows pedestrians to cross the street when there is no crosswalk within 150 feet. Ordinances still prohibit pedestrians from obstructing traffic, but the broad message sent to the community was that pedestrians are now allowed to cross busy roads wherever and whenever they please.

Jaywalking ordnances, though sometimes seen as overly punitive, serve an important purpose. These laws provide a legal context that guides both pedestrians and drivers, encouraging safe behavior on both sides. By removing this ordnance, the Anchorage Assembly effectively eliminated an essential layer of accountability, incentivizing pedestrians to take unnecessary risks.

Speaking of the Assembly and accountability, it is worth noting that the problem of pedestrian safety is surely directly tied to the problem of homelessness and substance abuse. As we approach our dark winter season, the limited sun and slicker roads, combined with the dark clothing and the often-inebriated states of the homeless, creates a perfect storm of an accident waiting to happen.

The lifting of the jaywalking ordnances was sold as an “equity” issue, on the grounds that these ordnances disproportionately target disadvantaged communities. However, what our community has now seen is the opposite. The residents being struck and killed by vehicles are almost exclusively from disproportionately struggling groups, such as those experiencing substance abuse and mental health crises. Driver vigilance is simply not enough if visibility is poor, traction is sketchy, and pedestrians are under the influence. These thirteen deaths have occurred during our season of most light, the impending winter season will only work to compound these deaths.

The Assembly’s decision-making process played a significant role in creating this environment, failing to consider the broader implications of their actions. Rather than implementing a comprehensive pedestrian safety plan, they cherry picked a single aspect of the traffic control regulations to change. They ignored the fact that lifting jaywalking ordnances without implementing any significant infrastructure improvement would clearly result in the dangerous consequences we are seeing today. A typical Anchorage Assembly ‘half-in-half-out’ action. Their job is to prioritize the safety and well-being of its citizens, and in this case, they have not only fallen short, but they have exacerbated the problem.

The Assembly’s current proposal is to, “lower the speed limit by AT LEAST 10mph, but not to exceed 35mph” in the corridors where the accidents have occurred, or ones with similar characteristics. The pedestrian death toll this year is twice as much as last year to this date. What has changed? Certainly not the speed limits, but the jaywalking ordinance was lifted. The Assembly is seemingly pointing fingers at anything besides themselves, the ones who made a key change to a factor affecting pedestrian verse motor vehicles accidents.

This year’s spike in pedestrian deaths is a tragedy that could have been avoided. If Anchorage is to reverse this deadly trend, the city must adopt a comprehensive pedestrian safety strategy that includes increased pedestrian infrastructure (crosswalks, bridges, and lights), and a reevaluation of our jaywalking enforcement.

While there are admittedly many factors at play, the bottom line is the Anchorage Assembly’s decision to lift jaywalking statutes without implementing additional safety measures has undoubtedly contributed to the problem. By removing this crucial layer of pedestrian protection without improving infrastructure, the city has effectively created a more dangerous environment for all its residents.

Keith is a lifelong Alaskan. He served in the Marine Corps as an Infantryman for five years, then started a software company that got him recognized as “Alaska’s Entrepreneur of the Year” in 2018. He now works as a PA-C, with a Doctorate in Medical Science, providing healthcare to his fellow Alaskans.