Pedestrian safety

Financial penalties go into effect in January for drivers holding their phones and touching a screen while operating a vehicle.

The popular south St. Louis business has a history of traffic incidents. The spot has been slated for improvements since drivers struck and killed two pedestrians in 2022.

Plans include new transit lines and redesigning major roads to make them safer and more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists.

The report shows 40% of the region’s crashes are in economically disadvantaged areas. It could help officials apply for federal funds to help reduce vehicle and pedestrian crashes by half by 2050.

Twenty-seven people have died in car crashes this year, along with four pedestrians. Drivers have injured another 134 pedestrians and four cyclists.

While the bill was promoted as a way to enhance safety, critics contended it would have made life worse for people with disabilities.

Runners and walkers in St. Louis County are urging County Executive Sam Page to veto a bill that would ticket people walking and running in streets where sidewalks are available. The County Council approved the measure earlier this month.

In 2021, 178 people were killed and more than 14,000 injured in traffic crashes in St. Louis and St. Louis County.

Daniel Riley, 21, was out on bond in an armed robbery case when he ran a stop sign and caused a crash that critically injured a teenage volleyball player, according to police. He had violated bond several times, but St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner’s office never attempted to revoke it and put him in jail.

Aldermen will go on break on Friday for the campaign season. The 2022-23 legislative session ends April 17.