New restrictions on SF's Market Street aim to prevent traffic deaths

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The SFMTA rolled out new restrictions for drivers Tuesday between 3rd and 8th streets in an effort to eliminate traffic deaths.

Market Street has four of the top 20 intersections for pedestrian injury collisions citywide and top two intersections for bicycle injury collisions.

Drivers are not allowed to turn on to Market Street between 3rd and 8th streets, but the rules don't apply to bikes and Taxis. "Oh yes they've changed the rules on Market, I didn't realize, I heard this morning," one driver said.

Take a look at the map of the Market Street changes here

Some bicyclists are glad to hear new restrictions are in place. "I think it's great. I've actually been hit by turning cars just a couple of blocks up," Keith Fancher said.

The new restrictions are part of the city's Vision Zero plan, which aims to end traffic deaths in San Francisco by 2024. "I think it's a good move, certainly they've been planning it long enough," Joe Eskenazi said.

Taxis, bicycles, buses and some trucks are exempt from the restrictions, while ride share companies like Uber and Lyft are not.

"It's not like you can't drive a car on Market Street like people are saying, you just can't turn onto Market Street," Eskenazi said.

Data revealed that there have been at least 160 injury accidents in two years between 3rd and 8th. Private cars make up 10 to 30 percent of the traffic, but they were responsible for 80 percent of the collisions.

Traffic officers are on the street are reminding drivers in case they forget about the new rules.