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Voices Around Town

How can we make downtown Mountain View safer for pedestrians?

Asked in downtown Mountain View. Photos and interviews by Anna Li.

"For the most part, I think the streets are safe. It's just that people are in a hurry. In the downtown area, there should be a light in some spots."

Hector Quiroz, Redwood City

"There are crosswalks without blinking lights. Cars aren't sure who has right of way. It would be safer if we install flashing lights at crosswalks."

James Laird, San Jose

"Downtown Mountain View is absolutely safe. I don't think there are any difficulties at all for pedestrians around here. The only thing that would be better would be to eliminate cars, period."

Matt Boston, Mountain View

"Enforcing red lights: I've almost been hit on the sidewalk or at crosswalks by people who are driving up on the sidewalks or through the red light. This has happened three times in the last month. Also better signs for people who don't read English or understand our signs."

Sarah Rodriguez, Mountain View

"A lot of people are in a hurry around traffic time in the afternoon. People are willing to take risks that they normally wouldn't take because they're in a hurry. So some way to slow them down."

Wanda Walker, Mountain View

Have a question for Voices Around Town? Email it to editor@mv-voice.com

Posted by GC, a resident of the Sylvan Park neighborhood, on Nov 19, 2011 at 7:00 pm

The road in and out of down town are designed terrible. You have a big circle at an intersection that make new drivers to the area confused. It also blinds the drivers from seeing people and cars cause there is a planter in the middle of the road. The cal train side is like a race into Castrol. Light turns green and you need to beat the other drivers or get stuck at another light cycle. Heavens forbid a train comes by, it's another 5 min cause the north trains activate it twice! Crosswalks in the middle of the road?, nice idea but the parked cars and trees make people appear as if they jumped out from between the cars. Let not excuse the people either, yapping on phones or emailing as they walk into the street.