San Francisco launches new cable car safety campaign

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco's cable cars are a national treasure and on Tuesday, city officials said those who operate them should be treasured as well.

After two accidents this year that seriously injured operators, there's a new safety campaign.

For the past 15 years, Derrick Johnson has been an operator on San Francisco's iconic cable cars. "It's the most rewarding job," he said.

But it can still be dangerous since the cable cars stop in the middle of the street.

In April, 53-year-old Santiago Montoya suffered a fractured leg and broken ribs when he was hit by a car while helping passengers get off his cable car.

Another operator is fighting for his life after being struck by a motorcycle in June.

"These two incidents on the cable cars have redoubled our resolve to make sure the cable cars and our operators can be safe," SFMTA Director Ed Reiskin said.

That includes adding notices to the back of cable cars to make sure motorists know it's against the law to try to get around these historic treasures.

They were created in the 19th century when horses were the main obstacle but now the streets of San Francisco are anything but idyllic.

And if you do pass while they're letting passengers on or off, police are promising stepped up enforcement like a crackdown that occurred Tuesday.

But with San Francisco and the cable cars as top tourist attractions, the head of the workers union says there must be education.

"The hotels need to get involved, the car rental dealerships need to get involved," Transport Workers Union Eric Williams said.

Johnson said he has had close calls and he believes the new campaign is a good first step.